Many pundits had Nottingham Forest among the pre-season favourites for promotion from the Championship, but Sabri Lamouchi will be feeling the pressure after a shocking start.
Forest have suffered defeats in all of their opening three league games and are staring at a fourth loss, as they prepare to face table-toppers Bristol City.
The Robins still have a 100 per cent record and have conceded just one goal in their three victories and look a good price, at 17/10, to claim the three points at the City Ground.
Recent meetings also suggest it may be a low-scoring affair, with Under 2.5 goals in all of their last five meetings and Unders is available at 5/8.
Swans Can Continue Flying Start
Another team surprising many are Swansea City who, despite losing in the play-offs and seeing Rhian Brewster end his loan spell, have collected seven points from their opening three games.
If you take into account the end of last season, the Swans have only lost one of their last eight games and that defeat came at Brentford in the play-offs.
On Saturday they face a Millwall team who have been hit with an injury blow this week. On loan Spurs striker Troy Parrott will miss the trip to the Liberty Stadium due to an ankle problem.
That could prove the difference in this clash and Steve Cooper’s hosts are a very tempting 27/20 to defeat Millwall and maintain their spot in the top five in the Championship.
Rover and Out for Cardiff
In contrast to rivals Swansea, Cardiff appear to be struggling with a play-off hangover from last season and find themselves in the bottom half of the table.
One of the last places the Bluebirds would want to visit this weekend would be Ewood Park, with Blackburn having won their last two – racking up nine goals and keeping two clean sheets.
Tony Mowbray has a vast amount of experience in the Championship and Rovers look like they could be promotion contenders, highlighted by last week’s 0-4 win at Derby.
Blackburn took four points off Cardiff last season and look a good bet, at 23/20, to claim another victory on Saturday afternoon.
Hornets Can Dethrone Royals
It’s second against fifth at the Madjeski Stadium in what promises to be a battle of two strong defences, as Reading and Watford go head-to-head.
The Royals have let in just once in their opening three wins, while Watford have yet to concede in their first three and are just two points behind their opponents.
The Hornets have managed to keep a hold of a number of their Premier League squad and their extra strength in depth makes them a tempting bet at 5/4 to end Reading’s perfect start.
Bees Buzzing for North End Visit
Finally, after an impressive display to beat Fulham in the EFL Cup in midweek, Brentford are rightly strong 20/29 favourites to beat a struggling Preston side.
North End have just one point after their opening three matches and Brentford are unbeaten in their last seven home league games against the visitors (six wins and one draw).
Said Benrahma was inspired in the midweek cup win and the Algerian is 5/1 to score first on Saturday.
*All odds correct at time of writing
