We’re back for some Championship action this weekend and Benjamin Bloom is here to talk through all of his predictions, with odds from Betfair throughout. Make sure to get involved and submit your predictions in the F365 Championship Predictor Game.
Fulham v Blackpool
Although Blackpool have turned the corner after their poor run it’s very hard to back against Fulham at the moment. The Cottagers got their fourth straight win last week at Stoke and without Harry Wilson and Aleksandar Mitrovic, their momentum seems extremely strong at the moment.
Benjamin Bloom’s prediction: Fulham 3-1 Blackpool 9/1 (Betfair)
Luton v Blackburn
A hard one to call. Luton have been decent at home and Blackburn’s other two colleagues in the top three have both gone there and not won in recent weeks. Rovers impressed on Monday night winning a proper battle against Middlesbrough without Ben Brereton-Diaz or Joe Rothwell. Scoring draw.
Benjamin Bloom’s prediction: Luton 2-2 Blackburn 12/1 (Betfair)
Barnsley v Bournemouth
In the same way it’s easy to predict a Fulham win at the moment, it’s easy to predict a Barnsley defeat. The Tykes are unfortunately on course for a very low points total if things continue as they are. Bournemouth will look upon this as a nice fixture to get themselves moving again after two straight defeats.
Benjamin Bloom’s prediction: Barnsley 0-1 Bournemouth 11/2 (Betfair)
QPR v Reading
QPR’s winning streak came to an end with a midweek 0-0 draw against Swansea, but they’re still well in the mix in the automatic promotion race. Reading didn’t play in midweek but lost their fourth straight game last weekend and have only one win in their last ten. My forecast is close, but more of the same for Reading sadly.
Benjamin Bloom’s prediction: QPR 2-1 Reading 13/2 (Betfair)
Millwall v West Brom
Both these managers really need a win, especially Valerian Ismael. The Baggies supporters were not happy after the home defeat against Preston in midweek as their unconvincing form continued. Millwall have lost three on the bounce and not scored in their last two, they have dropped to 15th from a promising top half spot. Unhelpful draw.
Benjamin Bloom’s prediction: Millwall 1-1 West Brom 5/1 (Betfair)
Champo Big Weekend: Luton v Blackburn, Hull, Big Val
Huddersfield v Stoke
The Friday night TV game gives me another opportunity to get a Huddersfield forecast wrong again. I’m going to play my joker on this one and go for an away win on the basis of Stoke’s January arrivals and the returning Nick Powell making a difference. I don’t know why I keep doing it to myself.
Benjamin Bloom’s prediction: Huddersfield 1-2 Stoke 9/1 (Betfair)
Cardiff v Nottingham Forest
Two teams trending in totally opposite directions at the moment. Forest were victorious in the Brian Clough Derby last weekend and then cruised past Barnsley in midweek. Cardiff are not going anywhere fast and if it wasn’t for the points deductions at Reading and Derby things would be even more serious.
Benjamin Blooms’ prediction: Cardiff 0-2 Forest 10/1 (Betfair)
Middlesbrough v Coventry
Coventry are in ninth place after a decent home win against Stoke in midweek, unfortunately for the Sky Blues they are ten places higher in the home table than the away table and they travel to Boro this weekend. It was the same old problem for Chris Wilder at Blackburn, chances created but perhaps not taken. If they’re more decisive in front of goal I fancy Boro for this one.
Benjamin Bloom’s prediction: Middlesbrough 2-1 Coventry 15/2 (Betfair)
Peterborough v Sheffield United
Peterborough nearly got that elusive away win in midweek. The Posh were two up at Birmingham with five to go but ended up drawing 2-2, could that be damaging for their already low confidence? Sheffield United haven’t yet leveraged their games in hand to move up the table, this should be an opportunity against a bottom three side.
Benjamin Bloom’s prediction: Peterborough 0-1 Sheff Utd 6/1 (Betfair)
Championship Stat Pack: Blades back line, Stoke snipers
Preston v Bristol City
There are so many conflicting bits of information surrounding this one. On the Preston side is their decent record in this fixture and the good start being made at Deepdale by manager Ryan Lowe. On the Bristol City side their two in form forwards Antoine Semenyo and Andi Weimann are capable of making a difference.
Benjamin Bloom’s prediction: Preston 2-2 Bristol City 14/1 (Betfair)
Hull v Swansea
Hull’s greatest musical export ‘The Beautiful South’ sang about ‘Happy Hour’ and it feels like that at Hull this week. New owners, two wins, EFL loan paid off and transfer embargo lifted. Shota Arveladze has replaced Grant McCann as boss and Swansea will be in town to try and spoil the party. I’ll go for the good times to continue, for now.
Benjamin Bloom’s prediction: Hull 2-0 Swansea 10/1 (Betfair)
Derby v Birmingham
It sounds like there is going to be a big crowd at Derby for the visit of Birmingham on Sunday. The Rams will be looking to get on another run as they attempt to climb the various mountains they face on and off the pitch. Birmingham have been very active in the January window, if those players don’t gel quickly I make this a home win.
Benjamin Bloom’s prediction: Derby 1-0 Birmingham 11/2 (Betfair)
Odds correct at the time of publication. 18+ Please Gamble Responsibly. Visit begambleaware.org
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