James Buttler looks ahead to Saturday's Championship action and picks out the best bets with a treble.
Watford v Blackburn Rovers
Ninth placed Watford return to Vicarage Road and will be relieved to do so. Their away record is a shocker with just three points gained from six away travels, and that win came in the very first match. At home they are much stronger, with five matches yielding four wins and a draw.
Tom Cleverley is blessed to have done well in front of his home fans, but they conceded twice inside the first seven minutes at Elland Road on Tuesday and did well to salvage a 2-1 defeat.
Blackburn have similar problems away, with only three of their 16 points coming on their travels. Three draws have been followed by a 3-1 defeat at Coventry and a 1-0 loss at Plymouth.
For me, Watford win this one and the 6/4 will do me fine to start off our Saturday treble. Three of the last four Watford home wins were by 2-1 margins and the other was 1-1. A 2-1 correct score is 17/2 and that could well be worth a small stake, whereas BTTS is 13/20.
Plymouth v Preston
Probably like a few of you listening, I haven’t quite worked out whether Wayne Rooney is any good as a manager. I certainly haven’t worked out whether Plymouth Argyle face a season long relegation battle, or whether they’ll be just fine.
The Pilgrims welcome Preston on Saturday afternoon off the back of three successive home wins over Sunderland, Luton and Blackburn. Both Teams Have Scored in four of five matches at Home Park this league season. Away from home it’s a different story with Plymouth losing their last four without scoring.
Rooney’s team are in 21st position and take on 16th placed Preston who have suffered only two losses in their last nine games. But Preston are another team where away form is significantly worse than home. Paul Heckingbottom’s team are yet to win on the road and have picked up two draws in five matches, scoring three and conceding 10 goals.
Plymouth at 7/4 looks a very decent punt in its own right, but make it Plymouth and BTTS and you increase the price to 9/2. For our treble I’m keeping it simple and taking the home side to make it four Home Park victories on the bounce.
Sunderland v Oxford United
Top of the Championship table Sunderland are three points clear after winning 2-1 at Luton on Wednesday evening. The Black Cats have won eight of 11 matches played and take on an Oxford side happy to be in 11th.
Regis Le Bris side have only conceded twice in five home game, both of those goals coming in the 2-2 draw with Leeds United.
Oxford have drawn their last five Championship fixtures, but will do well to travel back from the Stadium of Light with anything other than defeat.
I think Oxford have enough to score, but the Black Cats will win and Sunderland and BTTS is 5/2. I’d not be against that, but for the purposes of our treble I’m happy to back the Black Cats at 6/10.
James’ Championship Tips
Watford to win at 6/4
Plymouth to win at 7/4
Sunderland to win at 6/10
That is a treble worth 9.6/1 with William Hill.
As always, please gamble responsibly.