It looks set to be a pivotal weekend in the Championship, with the title, automatic promotion and two relegation places potentially being decided.
All 24 teams will be in action across Saturday and Sunday, with Norwich looking to seal the title, while Watford could join the Canaries in securing an immediate return to the Premier League.
At the other end of the table it could be the end of the road for both Wycombe and Sheffield Wednesday, as if results go against those two sides then their relegation to League One will be confirmed.
Hornets’ Home Form to See Them Through
It appears to be a case of if and not when Watford’s automatic promotion is confirmed, as the Hornets hold an eight point cushion over the chasing pack with just three rounds of fixtures remaining.
Watford will seal promotion if they beat Millwall at Vicarage Road on Saturday, while a draw will be enough for Xisco Munoz’s side if Bournemouth and Brentford also share the spoils in the lunchtime kick-off.
There should certainly be plenty of confidence within the Watford camp, as no team has picked up more home points this season, with their tally of 53 being eight better than any other side.
The Hornets also boast the division’s meanest defence and they will be facing ideal opponents in mid-table Millwall, who appear to be on the beach after registering just a solitary point and goal across their last three fixtures.
Watford have also won each of their last seven home games, conceding just one goal in the process, so backing the Hornets to win to zero and seal promotion on Saturday could prove a shrewd option at 23/20.
Wycombe’s Late-Season Flourish to Continue
It may prove too little too late, but Wycombe’s impressive late season form has seen them move to within six points of safety ahead of their trip to Cardiff on Saturday.
The Chairboys have won three and lost just one of their last six games, while only four teams having collected more Championship points over the same period than Gareth Ainsworth’s side.
By contrast, Cardiff have won just once in nine matches, a run of form that has long since ended their play-off hopes, although three draws in a row suggests they have not given up on their season entirely.
Wycombe have won just three matches on the road all season, but their recent form indicates they can take something from their trip to South Wales, so backing the double chance at 5/4 could be the way to go.
However, avoiding defeat may ultimately not prove enough for Wycombe because if Derby better their result on Saturday, then the Chairboys’ relegation back to League One will be confirmed.
Derby’s Relegation Concerns Set to Grow
The silver lining for Wycombe is Derby do not look like winning any football matches at the moment, with Wayne Rooney’s side currently sitting bottom of the form table after registering just one win in 12.
That poor sequence has left the Rams just a place and four points above the relegation zone, with Rotherham, the side directly below them in the standings, boasting two games in hand.
Scoring goals has been a particular problem for Derby of late, as they have failed to net in seven of their last 11, while they will also head into Saturday’s home clash with in-form Birmingham having lost four matches on the spin.
Forest reflection
The Boss looks forward to Saturday's trip to Pride Park.
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) April 23, 2021
Birmingham were also in relegation trouble prior to Lee Bowyer’s arrival as manager last month, but the Blues have only lost once in seven matches under the 44-year-old to pull clear of trouble.
The form book certainly suggests Birmingham should claim the Pride Park spoils, while the Blues have also accumulated more away points than they have at home this season, which further underlines their potential to win the match at 11/5.
*All odds correct at time of writing
