Here is our attempt at winning a big accumulator in this weekend’s Championship football.
Reading v Derby County – Derby County Win and Over 1.5 Goals – 3.00
Reading have drawn three and lost three of their six pre-season friendlies. The Royals lost six of their final ten league games in the 2017/18 season, while Derby won four of their five pre-season matches and finished sixth last season. There have been Over 1.5 Goals in eight of the last ten league meetings between these sides, while Derby haven’t lost any of their past six games away to Reading. Can they win this time?
Birmingham City v Norwich City – Both Teams to Score – 1.80
Birmingham scored and conceded in four of their final five matches last season. Similarly, both sides found the net in seven of Norwich’s closing ten matches, as well as in six of their eight pre-season friendlies. The Canaries haven’t managed a clean sheet on the opening day in any of their past five Championship seasons, but have won their past three games against the hosts. Signs point to goals at both ends here.
Bristol City v Nottingham Forest – Bristol City Over 1.5 Goals – 2.40
Last season Bristol City scored at least two goals in 18 of their 28 home matches in all competitions, even managing to find the net twice when hosting Manchester United and Manchester City. Only Wolves and Aston Villa scored more goals at home in the Championship in 2017/18. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest let in two goals in 18 of their 26 away matches. They have conceded twice in each of their past four visits to Ashton Gate and would do well to keep the hosts at bay this time.
Ipswich Town v Blackburn Rovers – Ipswich Town Win – 2.60
Ipswich have not lost on the opening day of the season since 2013. Since then they have started the last four seasons with three home wins and one away draw. Their first opponents this time around are newly promoted Blackburn, who haven’t won their opening game in the Championship since they were relegated from the Premier League in 2012. Rovers have begun their past two Championship campaign with a defeat, and it may take them time to reacclimatise to their surroundings.
Sheffield United v Swansea City – Sheffield United Win – 2.25
Swansea haven’t won any of their 11 away games in 2018 and have lost all three of their pre-season friendlies. When the Swans were last in the second tier, they lost on all three of their visits to Bramall Lane. Backing a win for the Blades against a side that were relegated from the Premier League last season offers attractive odds here.
Accumulated odds = 75.82