Meanwhile, Leeds host Norwich in top of the table clash, and Sheffield United head to Ipswich
The 30th round of action in the EFL Championship promises to offer a lot, kicking off this coming Friday night (1 February) when Derby visit Preston. The following day, first plays second when Leeds host Norwich in the tie of the round, while Sheffield United travel to bottom club Ipswich Town looking for three points which could potentially put them level with Norwich.
First things first
Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the EFL Championship campaign now well over halfway through, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.
Where should I be investing my money?
First up, the Friday night clash between Preston and Derby. Preston are not exactly pulling up any trees this season and look to be marooned in mid table, with little danger of being relegated yet equally little chance of reaching the play-offs. They come into this game having taken seven points from their last three league outings.
Derby, by way of comparison, sit sixth in the table and a win here could move the Rams up to fifth – temporarily, at least. County come in at 4.50 to win promotion back to the Premier League in Frank Lampard’s first season as manager.
And while the betting is tight in this match, it is Preston who come in as the slight favourites to take the points. You can more than double your money by backing the home side to win at 2.40, with Derby only slightly higher at 2.90 – a draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at 3.25, according to Oddsshark.
And we are expecting home advantage to be a key factor in this clash. A narrow, 2-1 win for Preston is priced at 9.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$47.50 pay out, while you can more than quadruple your money by backing a combo bet of a Preston win, coupled with both teams to score, at 4.75.
Leeds host Norwich in crunch clash
And the tie of the round comes from Elland Road, where table toppers Leeds United host Norwich City on Saturday afternoon. Leeds sit three points clear at the top of the table and are priced at 2.00 to win the league title outright this season.
Norwich, meanwhile, are looking good in second place but come into this match in poor form, having won just one of their last seven matches across all competitions. The Canaries are at 2.25 to hang on to a top 2 spot, thereby earning automatic promotion to the top flight.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is Leeds who come into this match as the clear favourites to pick up the win. You can back the league leaders to take all three points at just 1.83, while Norwich are out at 4.20 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 3.60.
And Leeds should be able to see off the visitors here. A 2-1 win for the league leaders is priced at 8.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$42.50 pay out, while you can more than triple your money by backing a combo bet of a Leeds win, coupled with both teams to score, at 3.60.
Sheffield United should beat Bolton to put pressure on top two
And finally, Sheffield United welcome struggling Bolton to Bramall Lane knowing they must take all three points. The Blades sit third in the table despite not winning either of their last two league outings, and are priced at 2.10 to win promotion back to the Premier League come the end of the season.
Bolton, in stark contrast, sit next to bottom and are without a win in their last four league outings. They are priced at just 1.20 to fall through the trapdoor into the third tier.
It is therefore of little surprise to see that it is United who are the red hot favourites to take the points here. You can back the Blades to win at just 1.33, while Bolton are all the way out at 10.00 to record what would be a shock victory – a draw is priced in the middle at 4.75.
This should be a comfortable afternoon for the home side. A 3-0 win for United comes in at 8.00, while you can double your money by backing over 2.5 goals in the game at 2.00.
EFL Championship round 30 fixtures:
Friday, 1 February
(2.40) Preston North End x Derby County (2.90); draw (3.25)
Saturday, 2 February
(2.05) Birmingham City x Nottingham Forest (3.80); draw (3.20)
(1.83) Brentford x Blackburn Rovers (4.20); draw (3.60)
(2.15) Bristol City x Swansea City (3.40); draw (3.30)
(2.50) Hull City x Stoke City (2.87); draw (3.20)
(2.70) Ipswich Town x Sheffield Wednesday (2.70); draw (3.10)
(1.61) Millwall x Rotherham (5.00); draw (4.00)
(3.40) Reading x Aston Villa (2.10); draw (3.40)
(1.33) Sheffield United x Bolton Wanderers (10.00); draw (4.75)
(2.05) West Brom x Middlesbrough (3.50); draw (3.40)
(2.30) Wigan x QPR (3.20); draw (3.20)
(1.83) Leeds United x Norwich City (4.20); draw (3.60)
