The fourth round of matches in the new EFL Championship season in England were played this week. Here are our picks of winners and losers.
Winners:
Over 2.5 Goals punters
Seven out of the ten matches that were played on Tuesday and yesterday night all featured at least three goals. There were three 2-2 draws, Wigan Athletic beat Stoke City 3-0, and Bristol City won at Queens Park Rangers by the same scoreline. The highest scoring match of the round saw Hull City win 3-2 at Rotherham United.
Punters who had put their money on Over 2.5 Goals for the majority of the games are smiling all the way to the bank!
Bolton Wanderers
It’s been a tough six years for Bolton Wanderers since they lost their Premier League status in 2012. They ended up being relegated from the Championship in 2016 as well, although they did bounce back after just one year. Nonetheless, it was another battle against relegation last season as they escaped the cull by just two points.
The Trotters have started the current campaign with a bang however, with three wins and a draw in their first four matches. Their 1-0 win over Birmingham City last night saw them go joint-top of the Championship table alongside Leeds United and Middlesbrough.
Neal Maupay and Brentford
Brentford striker Neal Maupay is in hot water over an alleged stamp on an opponent in the Bees’ 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. It would be a shame for him and his club if he were to be banned for the incident, given his hot scoring streak early on in the Championship campaign. The Frenchman has scored five goals in four matches to leave him top of the scoring charts and Brentford just two points shy of the top three teams.
Losers:
Steve McClaren
Steve McClaren’s reign as QPR boss tumbled from bad to worse as he saw his side slump to a fourth consecutive loss. The defeat to Bristol City left his side without a single point, only two goals scored and 13 conceded.
The fans at Loftus Road booed the former England boss and called for his head, and he will need results to turn around quickly if he is to avoid the axe.
Stoke’s bad start continues
Things have not been much better for Stoke City, who have found life in the Championship hard to adjust to. The Potters appointed Gary Rowett to replace Paul Lambert after they were relegated last season, but they have only managed to pick up two points from their first four games. They will hope to start turning things around when they face Hull City on Saturday.