Meanwhile, Leeds host Derby with advantage already in the bank
We are now at the business end of the domestic campaigns in Europe, and in England’s EFL Championship, the race is heating up to reach the promised land of the FA Premier League. This coming Tuesday evening (14 May), West Brom host Aston Villa looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg, while the following evening Leeds United welcome Derby County to Elland Road having already secured a 1-0 win in the first match.
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 play-offs set to start, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.
Where should I be investing my money?
First up, let’s start with the clash between West Brom and Aston Villa at the Hawthorns on Tuesday evening. Aston Villa recorded a 2-1 win at Villa Park on Saturday but must now play the second leg away from home, with West Brom having bagged a potentially vital away goal.
And with that lead in mind, it is Aston Villa who are the clear favourites to reach the play-off final, and are priced at just 1.30 to do so. Meanwhile, you can more than triple your money by backing West Brom to progress to the next round at a price of 3.40, according to Oddsshark.
And West Brom do not come into this match in the best form. They have lost their last two matches in a row and are now facing an uphill struggle to get to the final at Wembley Stadium.
Villa, meanwhile, have lost just one of their last 12 matches and that was against eventual title winners Norwich City. They can come into this crucial tie full of confidence and are likely to play on the front foot, despite being away from home.
However, while the betting is very close, it is West Brom who come into this match as the slight favourites to win. You can more than double your money by backing the home side to triumph at 2.40, while Villa come in slightly higher at 2.75 – a draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at 3.50.
And we are expecting Villa’s fine recent form to continue. A repeat of that 2-1 favour in the away side’s favour is priced competitively at 10.00, thereby offering a ten-fold return on any investment, while you can more than quadruple your money by backing a combo bet of a Villa win, coupled with both teams to score, at 4.75.
Leeds should hang on to advantage against Derby
And the other semi-final takes place on Wednesday evening, with Leeds United welcoming Derby County to Elland Road. Leeds managed a 1-0 victory at Pride Park on Saturday and can come into this match confident if reaching the final.
Indeed, Leeds are priced at just 1.10 to reach Wembley, while Derby are out at 7.00 to do the same. Without a doubt, Derby and their young manager Frank Lampard have got their work cut out for them in this clash.
Prior to that defeat, Derby had won three of their previous four league games. They now need to try and turn that good form to their advantage despite playing on the road against one of the most technically gifted sides in the division – it will most certainly be easier said than done.
Leeds, in stark contrast, had been in dreadful form before winning at Pride Park. However they now must ensure that they finish the job on home soil and make it to the final relatively unscathed before the most important match of the last decade for them.
And it is indeed Leeds who come into this match as the clear favourites to win once again. You can back the home side to triumph at just 1.72, while Derby are out at 4.75 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 3.60.
This should be a comfortable evening’s work for the home side. A 2-0 win for Leeds comes in at 8.00, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$40 pay out, while you can double your money by backing under 2.5 goals in the game at 2.00.
EFL Championship semi-final second leg fixtures:
Tuesday, 14 May
(2.40) West Bromwich Albion x Aston Villa (2.75); draw (3.50)
Wednesday, 15 May
(1.72) Leeds United x Derby County (4.75); draw (3.60)
