With League One and League Two on FA Cup duty this weekend, the Championship takes centre stage as far as the EFL is concerned, and EFL expert Gab Sutton is here with three picks.
Gab Sutton's Championship tips & predictions
- Will Lankshear to Score Anytime v Watford @ 8/11
- Southampton -1 Handicap v Preston @ 13/8
- Swansea/Draw Double Chance v Birmingham @ 10/11
As a treble, pays 7.65/1
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Will Lankshear to Score Anytime – 8/11
Watford v Middlesbrough
I’m almost more impressed that Will Lankshear had the sharpness of finishing to top score with 14 last season for a turgid Oxford side, than I am with his sensational goalscoring grove for this ultra creative Middlesbrough outfit.
Either way, he’s been the perfect acquisition for the Boro, not just with his goals, but also his incredible work ethic: he’s got a fantastic edge to him, which I think will serve him really well as he sets about the challenge of winning his first promotion then, ultimately, taking on Harry Kane’s England mantle. Yes, I went there.
He has the perfect service with Amario Cozier-Duberry’s flair and trickery on the right, Sebastian Berhalter’s stunning vision through the middle, or Tommy Conway’s fine link-up play on the left, in an inspired move wider that suits the selfless grafter down to the ground.
The difference between Middlesbrough and Watford is not individual talent as such, as the hosts have lots of that, it’s cohesion, culture and quality of coaching. Sadly for Alessio Dionisi, a predictable change could be afoot.
Southampton -1 Handicap – 13/8
Preston North End v Southampton
Preston North End are already nine points adrift of safety in the Championship, and it’s only early November. I’m not sure I’ve seen many teams get cut adrift quite so quickly.
There’s definitely a feeling in the fanbase that the summer business, Alfie Devine’s permanent aside, left the Lilywhites ill-equipped, and there’s lots of frustration with the hierarchy right now, particularly chairman Peter Ridsdale.
So, if Southampton are one ahead in the second half, I feel the atmosphere could go sour, and that may play into the visitors’ hands with the creativity of Finn Azaz, the guile of Leo Scienza and the physicality of Cyle Larin.
I’m not sure the Saints concede to this PNE side, partly because I think goalkeeper Daniel Peretz is excellent, so they likely only need to score twice for this 13/8 shot to pay off.
Swansea/Draw: Double Chance - 10/11
Birmingham City v Swansea City
My lot, Birmingham, are in outstanding form right now, so this slight siding with Swansea (from a betting perspective – I’m certainly not about to join the Jack Army in that away end!) is purely a price play.
It’s three defeats in four for the Swans, but there’s a 4-0 thumping of Blackburn in there as well, and I think they’ve built up enough respect this season to not be odds-on for a defeat – our traders wouldn’t dream of doing that if it was West Ham in their situation.
Vitor Matos has got terrific depth with which to shake things up, after that midweek 3-1 loss at Portsmouth: Tom Iorpenda or Elijah Just in midfield, Jeremy Monga out wide, Josh Key, who started the season really well at right-back, and the small matter of the Championship’s top goalscorer of last season, Zan Vipotnik. Remember him?
I wouldn’t argue with Birmingham being favourites, but only as 7/5 favourites, maybe a 13/10… a 5/6 play applies far too much recency bias, and you have to take stock of the season so far as a whole, it’s not just about who played well on Tuesday.
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