Championship preview: Sheffield Wednesday look to maintain recent form in local derby

Sheffield Wednesday host Middlesborough this Friday [Courtesy]

The 13^th round of matches in the EFL Championship – the second tier in English football’s domestic pyramid – kicks off with a fiery local derby when Sheffield Wednesday host Middlesbrough.

The race to reach the promised land of the FA Premier League is set to heat up as well, with Leeds United travelling to Ewood Park to take on Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest welcoming Norwich City.

First things first

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First up, Sheffield Wednesday host Middlesbrough this Friday night (19 October) with the visitors looking to close the gap t the top of the table. And despite Wednesday’s recent form – they are undefeated in their last four league encounters – Boro can take heart from their recent displays against this opponent, having won two of the last three matches between these two teams.

While Middlesbrough currently occupy fourth place, Wednesday re just three points behind them in sixth and are yet to lose a league game in front of their own fans this season. Boro, meanwhile, come into this game on the back of a hugely disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Bet with Oddsshark [Courtesy]

Yet despite that setback, it is Middlesbrough who come into this match as the favourites to take the points in this one. You can more than double your money by backing Boro to win on the road at 2.15, with Sheffield Wednesday, despite home advantage, out at 3.40 to take the points, with a draw coming in just under that price, at 3.30, according to Oddsshark.

And we are expecting this one to end honours even, with a 1-1 draw coming in at 6.00, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$30 payout.  You could also more than quadruple any investment by backing a draw and both teams to score combo at 4.50.

Leeds looking to pick up form at Blackburn

On Saturday afternoon, early season pace-setters Leeds United will be looking to pick up their form gain away to Blackburn Rovers. Leeds have won just one of their last four league games and have dropped down to third place, albeit only two points off the top of the table.

Newly promoted Blackburn Rovers, meanwhile, have made a solid if unspectacular start to the campaign, and sit in 10^th place having lost just two of their first 12 league encounters so far this season. They won their most recent match, 1-0 away to Bolton Wanderers and will be looking to build up a head of steam over the winter.

But it is visitors Leeds who are the favourites to wrap up the points at Ewood Park. Again, you can more than double your money by backing the visitors at 2.15, with Blackburn out t 3.40 to make it two league wins in a row – a draw is priced in the middle at 3.25.

But with home advantage and Leeds out of form, we are expecting Blackburn to nick this one. A narrow, 1-0 win for the Rovers is priced competitively at 10.00, thereby offering a ten-fold return on any investment.

Forest to continue recent form against Norwich

And finally, Nottingham Forest will look to continue their recent unbeaten streak when Norwich City come to town. Forest have not lost in seven matches across all competitions and sit sixth in the table.

Norwich, by way of comparison, are just a point behind them, and this has the makings of a cracker. Both these sides look evenly matched – on paper, at least – and this should be a closely fought affair.

And with home advantage, it is Forest who come into this match as the favourites to take all three points. You can more than double your money by backing the Nottingham club at 2.30, with Norwich out at 3.10 to pick up a victory on their travels – a draw would look to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly, at 3.30.

But we are expecting Forest to take the points, with a 2-1 win for them priced at 9.00. Again, you can opt for a combo – Forest win and both teams to score – which comes in at 4.33.

EFL Championship round 13 fixtures:

Friday, 19 October

(3.40) Sheffield Wednesday x Middlesbrough (2.15); draw (3.30)

Saturday, 20 October

(3.40) Blackburn Rovers x Leeds United (2.15); draw (3.25)

(1.95) Aston Villa x Swansea City (4.20); draw (3.20)

(1.70) Brentford x Bristol City (4.75); draw (3.75)

(2.60) Hull City x Preston North End (2.70); draw (3.25)

(2.55) Ipswich Town x QPR (2.75); draw (3.25)

(2.30) Nottingham Forest x Norwich City (3.10); draw (3.30)

(2.62) Reading x Millwall (2.75); draw (3.20)

(2.10) Rotherham United x Bolton Wanderers (3.50); draw (3.30)

(1.95) Stoke City x Birmingham City (4.00); draw (3.30)

(3.00) Wigan Athletic x West Bromwich Albion (2.25); draw (3.50)

(2.70) Derby County x Sheffield United (2.62); draw (3.20)