After a bumper Boxing Day slate, Matthew O’Regan is back with his five best bets from Sunday’s Championship action, with picks spread across the day.
EFL Championship Best Bets
12:30pm Sheffield United vs West Brom – Sheffield United to win
3:00pm Oxford United vs Plymouth – Oxford United To Win
3:00pm Stoke City vs Sunderland – Sunderland Over 1.5 Goals
3:00pm Blackburn vs Hull – Blackburn to Win
5:45pm Derby vs Leeds United – Joel Piroe to Score
- An Accumulator with these bets pays at approximately 48/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
12:30pm Sheffield United vs West Brom – Sheffield United to win
TV: Sky Sports+
West Brom were rocked by the shock news of Carlos Coberan departing to join La Liga side Valencia. The Spaniard had West Brom in a strong position despite off-field uncertainty. Interim managers Chris Brunt and Boaz Myhill struggled to get a tune out of the Baggies on Thursday evening and lost 2-1 at struggling Derby. Away from home, West Brom have been inconsistent, winning just four of their 12 games, and are now four without a win on their travels.
Sheffield United dropped down to second after a Boxing Day loss to third-place Burnley. The two goals conceded were the first ones shipped at Brammall Lane for nine games, with The Blades boasting 28 points from 11 home games.
After Thursday’s disappointing loss, Chris Wilder will ensure his side are up for Sunday’s early kickoff.
3:00pm Oxford United vs Plymouth – Oxford United To Win
TV: Sky Sports+
Oxford United made the surprise decision to dismiss Des Buckingham despite leading them to promotion. The 39-year-old was replaced by the experienced Gary Rowett, who led his new side to a 3-2 win over Cardiff, in his first match in charge.
The U’s have been solid at the Kassam Stadium, picking up 19 points from 12, compared to two in ten away games.
Plymouth are the only side in the Championship with a worse away record than Oxford. Wayne Rooney’s side come into this game after a convincing 4-0 defeat to Coventry, a trend that is becoming worryingly familiar.
Argyle have picked up just two away points from 12, conceding 33. Away at a rejuvenated Oxford, the Green Army could be in for a long afternoon.
3:00pm Stoke City vs Sunderland – Sunderland Over 1.5 Goals
TV: Sky Sports+
After Steven Schumacher was controversially dismissed as Stoke manager, Narcis Pelach was hired, with the 36-year-old leaving his coaching job at Norwich City to join the Staffordshire club.
Things have not gone to plan for the Spaniard, winning just three of his 19 games in charge, and now facing scrutiny from the Stoke faithful. The last six games, in particular, have epitomised their struggles, with a scrappy last-minute goal against Cardiff their only point in a dire run. The Potters have conceded at least two goals in their last six fixtures.
Visiting the Bet365 stadium on Sunday are the league’s fourth top scorers in Sunderland. Regis Le Bris’ side have scored 36 goals this season, and have lost just three times, as they sit fourth in the league.
The Black Cats have an abundance of attacking talent, evident in their recent impressive goal-scoring record, scoring at least two in four of their last five. With the contrasting form of both teams, the visitors should find the scoresheet at least twice.
3:00pm Blackburn vs Hull – Blackburn to Win
TV: Sky Sports+
After just missing out on the playoffs last year, Hull made the brave decision to sack Liam Rosenior, and appoint Tim Walter. The decision did not reap the rewards as The German was dismissed in November, with the Tigers sat in 22nd.
Ruben Selles was poached from Reading as his replacement, and he’s had a mixed start to life on Humberside, picking up four points from four games – but losing both away games. Hull have lost seven of their 11 away games so far and Selles notoriously struggled on the road at the Royals.
The two sides have already met this season, with Blackburn running out 0-1 winners at the KCOM Stadium, at the start of December.
Blackburn are mounting an unexpected playoff charge, sitting in fifth after 22 games, and John Eustace has his side defensively resolute, conceding just 20 goals. A run of six wins and five clean sheets in a row was thwarted by a 1-0 loss at Millwall before Rovers salvaged a last-minute point at home to Sunderland on Boxing Day.
Hull have struggled on the road and face a tough task against a strong Blackburn in stellar form.
5:45pm Derby vs Leeds United – Joel Piroe to Score
Leeds went top of the Championship after a 0-2 win at Stoke, further compounding misery on the Potters. Both Leeds goals were scored by Joel Piroe, taking his tally for the season to nine. Only Borja Sainz and Josh Maja have scored more than the Dutchmen.
In his final season at Swansea, the 25-year-old averaged 0.45 goals per 90 and hit a similar (0.42) in his first season at Elland Road. Despite starting the season as a backup to Matteo Joseph, Piroe has earned his starting berth, scoring nine goals in 14 starts at an average of 0.65 goals per 90.
Derby County sit 14th after defeating West Brom 2-1 last time out. The Rams have conceded 29 goals this season, keeping just six clean sheets. The sides have already met this season, with Leeds winning 2-0.
Championship betting tips
12:30pm Sheffield United vs West Brom – Sheffield United to win
3:00pm Oxford United vs Plymouth – Oxford United To Win
3:00 pm Stoke City vs Sunderland – Sunderland Over 1.5 Goals
3:00 pm Blackburn vs Hull – Blackburn to Win
5:45 pm Derby vs Leeds United – Joel Piroe to Score
- An Accumulator with these bets pays at approximately 48/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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