All 24 EFL Championship clubs are gearing up for action this Valentine’s weekend, with games spreads over three days. The round gets underway on Friday night when Lancashire sides Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End square off at Ewood Park. There will be no love lost between those two old rivals. This Saturday, Norwich City host Stoke City, while new leaders Brentford entertain Barnsley on Sunday.
Blackburn Rovers v Preston North End
19:45, Sky Sports, Ewood Park
On Friday night, Lancashire duo Blackburn and Preston meet at Ewood Park. Rovers have been in good form of late, but Tony Mowbray’s men will be hoping to hit back after last weekend’s disappointing defeat at Queens Park Rangers.
Last Saturday’s 1-0 loss in west London was Blackburn’s first Championship reverse in 2021. As for Preston, they have lost four of their last six in the league. Rovers are currently eighth but have a game in hand on many of their rivals so will feel they have a great chance of pressing on into the play-off places. They are four points above their opponents here but with momentum very much on their side we predict three points for the hosts. Back the Blackburn win here at 10/11.
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth
12:30, Sky Sports, City Ground
Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth clash in a fascinating Championship fixture at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon. Forest have been tough to beat in recent weeks, while the Cherries have won two out of two under caretaker boss Jonathan Woodgate. The hosts remain very much in the relegation fight though, whilst Woodgate’s men currently occupy the last play-off place.
The Reds head into this one having lost just one of their last 10 in the Championship. After the sacking of Jason Tindall, Woodgate has guided Bournemouth to wins over Birmingham City and Burnley (Emirates FA Cup) and they will fancy their chances. However, Forest are very well drilled and tough to beat, so we fancy this to end all square (23/10) at the City Ground.
Birmingham City v Luton Town
15:00, St Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium
Birmingham City welcome Luton Town to St Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Blues could do with the points having not won at home since October, a truly shocking run.
Since a 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town on October 28th, Birmingham have drawn two and lost eight of their following 10 at home. The Blues have certainly missed their fans this season, and we are backing the Luton win here at solid looking odds of 15/8.
Cardiff City v Coventry City
15:00, Cardiff City Stadium
Since arriving in South Wales, Mick McCarthy has guided Cardiff City to two wins and two draws from four, a more than solid return that will give fans hope they can somehow force their way into the play-off race. Will the Bluebirds extend their unbeaten run to five when Coventry City visit the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday?
McCarthy is as experienced as they come in the Championship, and the former Republic of Ireland boss has made a solid start in the Welsh capital. The visitors are currently 19th and have conceded 37 goals already. Cardiff should get the better of the Sky Blues this weekend. Three of the Bluebirds’ four home wins have come with clean sheets and with McCarthy a defensive-minded manager, we expect more of the same under his guidance. You can get 21/10 for the hosts to win this one without conceding and that looks slightly overpriced to us.
Derby County v Middlesbrough
15:00, Pride Park
At Pride Park this weekend, Derby County and Middlesbrough go head-to-head. Boro have had a good season under Neil Warnock, but they make the trip to the Midlands having taken just one point from their last four games. That leaves them seventh, but five points adrift of the Cherries above them and with 28 games played time is running out to close that gap.
What the Rams would give for such lofty worries. They are down in 22nd and their sole aim for this campaign will be to finish 21st or better and avoid the drop. Before a shock 3-0 loss at Rotherham United last time out, Wayne Rooney’s Derby had won three on the spin. We can see the Rams returning to winning ways this weekend. Derby are available at 17/10 to take maximum points.
Huddersfield Town v Wycombe Wanderers
15:00, John Smith’s Stadium
Carlos Corberan’s Huddersfield Town and Gareth Ainsworth’s Wycombe Wanderers meet at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday. The Chairboys are destined to make an instant return to EFL League One after taking just 16 points from 27 games but Huddersfield’s run of just two points from the last five games means they are far from safe just yet.
The Terriers are in patchy form, failing to win in 2021, but they should get past the league’s bottom side on Saturday. Corberan’s side can be a decent outfit on their day and there is good value in the home win and under 2.5 goals at the very big price of 11/4.
Norwich City v Stoke City
15:00, Carrow Road
After giving up top spot, Norwich will be eager to get back to winning ways on Saturday. They looked nailed on for a top two finish at least just a few weeks ago but a poor run has seen Brentford usurp them as title favourites and the Canaries are now only two points above the third-placed Swans, who have a game in hand. Michael O’Neill’s unpredictable Stoke visit Carrow Road this weekend.
Daniel Farke’s troops have failed to win any of their last four league and cup games, but the Canaries’ 2-0 loss in Swansea last weekend was their first Championship defeat since Boxing Day. That was a six-pointer too but Norwich have plenty of experience of a promotion push and they will not be panicking yet. As for the Potters, they have won just once since early December and have managed just four points from their last five matches. Check out the Norwich win -1 at 11/5.
Reading v Millwall
15:00, Madejski Stadium
Reading entertain Millwall at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday. Despite a home loss to in-form Brentford last time out, Veljko Paunovic’s men have been in good form of late and have defied early season pundits who thought their fast start was a flash in the pan. The Royals are fifth and are proving far more durable than many predicted.
Reading had picked up four wins and three draws from seven before the midweek loss to the Bees, so their confidence won’t be too hit by a loss to the side many believe to be the division’s best. As for the Lions, they are unbeaten in five (two wins, three draws). Millwall are the draw specialists in the Championship and have shared the points a league-high 14 times already. In what should be a low scoring affair, back the draw here at 21/10.
Rotherham United v Queens Park Rangers
15:00, New York Stadium
Paul Warne’s Rotherham have shown plenty of fighting spirit lately. Can the Millers pick up all three points against Mark Warburton’s highly unpredictable QPR on Saturday?
Both Rotherham and Rangers have been in good form of late. QPR have taken 12 points from the last 15 on offer, while United have won four of their previous seven in the Championship. This could go either way, but we can see QPR nicking the points (7/4) at the New York Stadium.
Sheffield Wednesday v Swansea City
15:00, Hillsborough
Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City meet in a huge Championship fixture at Hillsborough on Saturday. The Owls are only above the drop zone on goal difference, while the Swans are riding high in third.
Wednesday have won six of their last nine in the league, while Swansea have won six and drawn two of their previous eight Championship games. With both teams in great form, confidence should be high and we may be in for a thriller. However, the Welsh side have the class and they will fancy their chances in Sheffield. We do too and we like the look of the visitors to be winning at half time and full time at a tidy price of 12/5.
Watford v Bristol City
15:00, Vicarage Road
Watford have the best home record in the Championship, collecting an impressive 10 wins from 14. This Saturday, the Hornets will be looking for another three points when they take on struggling Bristol City at Vicarage Road.
Xisco Munoz has made a steady start to life in Hertfordshire, guiding the Hornets to four wins from eight Championship matches. Watford should ease past Bristol City, who have lost eight of their past 11 league fixtures. Take a punt on the hosts to win both halves at 7/2.
Brentford v Barnsley
13:00, Brentford Community Stadium
On Sunday, new league leaders Brentford welcome Barnsley to the Brentford Community Stadium. Thomas Frank’s men have been in stunning form over the past few months, and the Bees will surely pick up another three points in this one. They started the campaign terribly but they are well and truly over the hangover from their failed play-off final outing last summer and are looking unstoppable.
Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Reading extended Brentford’s unbeaten run in the Championship to 21 matches. The London side score for fun, their 55 goals far more than anyone else in the second tier. They should cruise past the Tykes on Sunday, and we like the look of the hosts to be winning at half time and full time at 8/5.