Another busy midweek of Championship action awaits with plenty going on at both ends of the table.
Here we’ve picked out our selections for round 25, with two tips for Tuesday and a value shot for Wednesday’s games.
Cherries Ready to Add To Wayne’s Woes
Of Tuesday’s two early matches, the one at Pride Park stands out as struggling Derby entertain promotion-chasing Bournemouth.
Wayne Rooney will hope Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Rotherham will prove only to be a minor setback after being named permanent Rams’ boss last week.
Despite sitting 23rd, they have made improvements under his tutelage but need to start picking up points.
Another young manager in his first job is Jason Tindall, who will be urging his Bournemouth side to bounce back after Saturday’s shock 1-0 home defeat to improving Luton.
Tindall will be aware that late goals have plagued Derby in recent weeks, conceding beyond the 85th minute in their last two home games and odds of 11/10 are available for a goal to be scored between 76 minutes and full-time.
The Cherries have shown real steel this season, bouncing back from their other three defeats with victories and 6/5 is a tempting price to make it four in a row for that category.
Goals Galore at Brentford
On Wednesday, Brentford have the chance to make it 16 games unbeaten when they welcome resurgent Luton to the Community Stadium.
The Bees have shrugged off any hangover from last season’s play-off final defeat and have beaten promotion rivals Reading and Bournemouth in their last two home games.
Luton are a team on the up, themselves beating the Cherries on Saturday and the Hatters’-Nathan Jones connection seems to be working again.
However, that victory at the Vitality was their first away win in seven but they will be boosted by the knowledge that Brentford’s attacking tactics often leave them open, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last five Championship games.
Therefore, a home win and both to score is tempting at 47/20 and having scored in the corresponding fixture, Ivan Toney may well justify his 9/4 favouritism to open the scoring as he seeks to end a five-game drought.
QPR Can Run Hoops Around Cardiff
Our final selection comes from Wednesday and the value pick of the night looks to be the 47/20 for Queens Park Rangers to win at Cardiff.
That might appear strange on the surface, considering the Hoops are 20th – five points and as many places below their hosts – but the Bluebirds look to be on the slide.
Neil Harris’ men have lost their last five in all competitions to curtail their play-off hopes.
Meanwhile, QPR are an inconsistent, yet talented bunch, who play good football under Mark Warburton and have taken four points from their last two Championship games.
They are also four unbeaten on the road and Charlie Austin’s return has provided a bit more edge in attack, netting on his debut last Tuesday.
The 31-year-old priced at 13/5 in anytime market, and his side are worth a real look.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
