It’s another busy weekend in the Championship with 10 games on Saturday, including leaders Bournemouth hosting Huddersfield Town, before two matches follow on Sunday.
The 12:30 kick-off on Saturday gets things started and the focus will again be on Cardiff boss Mick McCarthy when his struggling side entertain Middlesbrough, who have won their last two games 2-0.
Cardiff in Awful Form
The Bluebirds are in an abysmal run of form, losing their last seven straight, with six of those defeats to nil. They followed up the 3-0 Welsh derby loss to Swansea by going down 2-0 at Fulham and it’s hard to see anything other than an away win for Boro, which looks great value at 19/10, to further heap the pressure on McCarthy.
At 3pm, Bournemouth will look to keep a firm grip on top spot with a victory over sixth-placed Huddersfield. The Cherries are still unbeaten and have won seven of their last eight games, with their last two outings resulting in solid away wins at Stoke and Bristol City. Town have responded well to a defeat at Swansea a month ago with two wins and two draws since but getting anything from this trip to the south coast will be extremely difficult. A comfortable two-goal margin win for Scott Parker’s side appeals at 16/5.
Coventry Perfect at Home
Coventry have exceeded expectations so far to sit in the play-off places and they will fancy their chances of another good home result when they host Derby County. The Sky Blues’ rise up the table has been built on a perfect six from six winning run at the Coventry Building Society Arena and they should be confident of extending that superb record against Wayne Rooney’s side. The Rams, despite all their off-field issues, have been difficult to beat and have drawn their last three so it’s unlikely to be straightforward for Coventry. A tie/Coventry outcome in the HT/FT market might be the way to go at 16/5.
Millwall are eyeing the top six after three victories in their last four and will host faltering Stoke in confident mood after an impressive 2-1 win at Sheffield United in the week. The Potters have lost their last two to slip to seventh and the Lions can make it three defeats on the spin for them with a home victory enticing at odds of 8/5.
South Yorkshire scrap to start Sunday
On Sunday, Barnsley entertain Sheffield United in a South Yorkshire derby looking to put an end to a dire run of form which has seen the Tykes lose their last five. The Blades, who were touted by many as being automatic promotion hopefuls after dropping down from the Premier League, have struggled for consistency so far, mixing three defeats with two wins across their last five games.
Considering Barnsley’s current plight, an away win at 11/10 will tempt plenty but a derby-day draw, on offer at 5/2, could play out.
Focused on the weekend
Show your support on Sunday: https://t.co/MavxAENLCd
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) October 21, 2021
Finally, second-place Fulham will be tested by a resurgent Nottingham Forest in the 3pm Sunday game. Forest have won their last four under the guidance of Steve Cooper but this could be the day the new boss suffers his first defeat. The Cottagers, who are five points adrift of Bournemouth going into the weekend, will probably need the victory to stay in the top two and a narrow away win, with Fulham winning by a single goal, looks good at 2/1.
*All odds correct at time of writing.