MY ACCOUNT
Recommended bets:
– Back Rotherham to beat Bristol City
– Back Sheffield United to win to zero against Huddersfield
– Back a score draw between Swansea and Norwich
The Championship returns in earnest this weekend with nine games in total on Saturday.
With leaders Burnley not playing until Sunday when they head to QPR, Sheffield United have the chance to go top on goal difference when they host bottom club Huddersfield.
Norwich make the long trip west to Swansea, while strugglers Rotherham and Bristol City clash at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.
Rotherham vs Bristol City (Saturday, 12.45pm)
The stats
Rotherham sit 16th in the Championship table, two points and as many places above Bristol City ahead of the pair’s meeting on Saturday.
The Millers caused a shock by beating Sheffield United 1-0 on November 8 and backed it up with a 1-1 draw at Luton three days later.
New boss Matt Taylor will have used the time off for the World Cup to get a greater feel for the players at his disposal. In contrast, Taylor’s opposite number Nigel Pearson will have been looking for fresh inspiration after almost two years at the helm.
The Robins have failed to win any of their last six in all competitions. However, they have beaten both West Brom and Blackburn on the road this season.
Predictions
After Paul Warne’s reign at Rotherham, Taylor could have been forgiven for taking time to settle but seems to have hit the ground running and that extra time on the training ground will only have benefitted him in terms of implementing his plans.
The 40-year-old is riding a wave of confidence having guided Exeter to promotion to League One last season and will be eyeing a maiden home win in charge of the South Yorkshire side.
City should be fine but appear to be enduring another meandering campaign and 19/10 with LiveScore Bet for a Rotherham win is a tempting price.
Sheffield United vs Huddersfield (Saturday, 3pm)
The stats
Sheffield United’s only defeat in their last six games was that loss to Rotherham and they bounced back with a 1-0 win at Cardiff.
The Blades take on a Huddersfield side sat bottom of the table but one that has picked up four points in their last two games, winning 2-1 at QPR and then drawing 0-0 at home to Swansea.
Terriers boss Mark Fotheringham looked to be finding something after some mixed results since his appointment in September and scoring goals is clearly his team’s weakness, with the Terriers’ tally of 19 strikes the third lowest in the league.
In contrast, the Blades are the division’s second-highest scorers and have the second-best defensive record.
Predictions
The pair’s respective records suggest a home win is on the cards at Bramall Lane but Huddersfield’s form before the break deserves respect.
The Blades’ injury issues also need to be considered, with Jack Robinson the newest face in the treatment room.
However, the promotion-challenging side are set to have Iliman Ndiaye back from international duty after Senegal’s elimination from the World Cup.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side will be confident they can pick up a sixth Championship home win of the season, with the added bonus of a clean sheet.
A Sheffield United win to zero is 6/5 with LiveScore Bet.
Swansea vs Norwich (Saturday, 3pm)
The stats
Recent draws have hampered Swansea’s promotion chances, with them failing to win their last five games before the break, drawing four of those.
The Swans still sit eighth in the table and take on fifth-placed Norwich, who were last seen losing 2-1 at home to Middlesbrough.
Dean Smith’s side have lost four times away from home this season, while Swansea have won five times and have lost just once at the Swansea.com Stadium since August.
The pair’s recent meetings have often followed a similar path, with six of the last seven meetings resulting in a win to zero for the home team.
Predictions
Injuries are hurting the Canaries with Andrew Omobamidele, Adam Idah, Jon Rowe, and Jakob Sorensen all expected to miss out at the Swansea.com Stadium.
They could, therefore, be vulnerable and it is striking that they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 games.
With just one point between the two sides in the standings, a tie with goals at 14/5 with LiveScore Bet looks a value price.
