Meanwhile, Leeds face tough test at Middlesbrough, while current league leaders Norwich host Ipswich
The 31st round of action in the EFL Championship – English domestic football’s second tier – could well be a telling one, with Sheffield United having the chance to go top, temporarily at least, when they travel to Aston Villa this coming Friday night (8 February). The following day, Leeds have a tricky encounter away to Middlesbrough, while Norwich host Ipswich in a local derby on Sunday afternoon.
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 entering its final stretch, 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 Aston Villa and Sheffield United. Villa sit ninth in the table, unbeaten in their last three outings and just four points off the play-offs – they are priced at 3.50 to finish in the top six come the end of the season.
Sheffield United, meanwhile, have the chance to go top of the league on goal difference with a comprehensive victory here. The Blades are enjoying an excellent campaign but are out at 5.50 to win the league title outright, while they come in at 2.50 to win automatic promotion to the Premier League by finishing in the top two.
And while the betting is close in this one, it is Villa who come in as the slight favourites to take the points. You can more than double your money by backing the home side to take the points at 2.50, with United coming in slightly higher at 2.70 – a draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at 3.30, according to Oddsshark.
And we are expecting the Blades to take the points in a close game. A narrow, 2-1 win for Sheffield United is priced competitively at 10.00, thereby offering a ten-fold return on any investment, while you could more than quadruple your money by backing a combo bet of a United win, coupled with both teams to score, at 4.75.
Leeds face tricky trip to Middlesbrough
The following day, Middlesbrough host Leeds looking to extend their recent good form. Boro sit fifth in the table and are unbeaten in their last seven games across all competitions.
Leeds, meanwhile, have dropped down to second having lost two of their last three league outings. They remain joint favourites however to win the league title and are priced at just 2.75 to do so.
Again, the betting is tight in this game, but it is Leeds who are the very slight favourites to snatch the points. You can more than double your money by backing the visitors to get back to winning ways at 2.60, while Middlesbrough are at 2.62 to win – a draw once again comes in highest, at 3.30.
And we are expecting home advantage to be a deciding factor in this encounter. A narrow, 1-0 win for Boro comes in at 7.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$37.50 pay out, while you could more than quadruple your money by backing a combo bet of a Middlesbrough win, coupled with a “no” to both teams scoring, at 4.33.
Norwich host Ipswich in local derby
And finally, Norwich welcome local rivals Ipswich to Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon for the fierce derby between the two. Norwich sit top of the table and are unbeaten in their last five league outings – like Leeds, they are priced at 2.75 to win the title come the end of the season.
Ipswich, in stark contrast, sit bottom of the table having lost their last three league games on the bounce. They are scoring at less than a goal a game and are the favourites to be relegated to League One, at a price of just 1.062.
It is hardly a shock to see therefore that Norwich are the overwhelming favourites to claim local bragging rights. You can back Norwich to win at just 1.40, while Ipswich are out at 8.50 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 4.33.
This should be a comfortable afternoon for the home side. A 3-0 win for Norwich is priced at 9.00, while you can more than double your money by backing a combo bet of a Norwich win, coupled with both teams to score, at 2.10.
EFL Championship round 30 fixtures:
Friday, 8 February
(2.55) Aston Villa x Sheffield United (2.70); draw (3.30)
Saturday, 9 February
(2.62) Middlesbrough x Leeds (2.60); draw (3.30)
(2.45) Blackburn Rovers x Bristol City (2.90); draw (3.20)
(3.75) Bolton Wanderers x Preston North End (2.00); draw (3.40)
(1.90) Derby County x Hull City (3.75); draw (3.60)
(3.10) Nottingham Forest x Brentford (2.37); draw (3.10)
(2.30) QPR x Birmingham (3.10); draw (3.25)
(3.10) Rotherham United x Wigan Athletic (2.30); draw (3.30)
(2.05) Sheffield Wednesday x Reading (3.75); draw (3.25)
(2.00) Swansea x Millwall (3.80); draw (3.30)
(2.50) Stoke City x West Bromwich Albion (2.80); draw (3.25)
Sunday, 10 February
(1.40) Norwich City x Ipswich Town (8.50); draw (4.33)
