Leicester to outfox Boro in clash of the promotion contenders

16Jan 2013

England - The Championship

Jamie Dickenson takes an early look at this weekend's Championship action and provides his best bets from Betfair's Fixed Odds markets...

Leicester v Middlesbrough

Friday night sees two promotion-chasing clubs square off at the King Power Stadium as third-place Leicester City entertain Middlesbrough in fifth.

Hosts Leicester are the side in-form however, with four wins on the bounce in all competitions. A 6-1 home drubbing for Nigel Pearson's team over Huddersfield, and a 4-0 away triumph at Bristol City stand out as impressive recent results, which both owed much to the exploits of new signing Chris Wood who struck five times in those two victories. The Foxes have the best home goal difference in the league, with 32 scored and just 11 conceded, but have lost twice in on home soil to fellow promotion rivals Cardiff and Crystal Palace. However the presence of Wood up front allied with Leicester's newfound defensive solidarity - they have let in just one goal in their last five outings - should ensure the home support are sent home happy.

Middlesbrough are threatening to let inconsistency mar their attempts to return to the Premier League again after suffering relegation in May 2009. Tony Mowbray's side have lost seven of their last 13 games in all competitions, although they did win the other six. Just two draws all season prove how rare stalemates are for Boro, who lost to Leicester at the Riverside Stadium earlier in the campaign. The north-east outfit have fared particularly badly away from home recently, with just one win on the road from six league games.

Middlesbrough could score against Leicester, but the Foxes should prove too strong and can repeat their 2-1 winning scoreline over Boro in September at 7.5.

Birmingham v Brighton

Play-off pushing Brighton travel to lowly Birmingham City, and will look to take advantage of the January crisis afflicting Lee Clark's side.

Blues find themselves in an uncompromising situation just 18 months after relegation from the Premier League, as they sit 20th in the Championship with the looming threat of administration edging closer. Even a potential FA Cup tie with Tottenham and a £200,000 windfall apparently won't solve the problem as Lee Clark has been forced to leave out coveted goalkeeper Jack Butland to ensure he isn't injured before leaving in the transfer window. But two wins in their last 12 league games is not a good enough return on the pitch for Birmingham, who haven't won in three home matches.

Things are looking better for Gus Poyet's Brighton, who are eighth in the division and within touching distance of the play-off spots. Their new £90m Amex Stadium has undoubtedly helped the south-coast club grow, the ground where Newcastle were recently dispatched in the FA Cup.

Three wins in a row will take the Seagulls into this clash full of confidence, and they will be better rested than their opposition who face a mid-week cup replay against Leeds United. Brighton have a better away record than Birmingham do at home, and in 11-goal forward Craig Mackail-Smith possess a clinical finisher at this level. The visitors last away game was a comprehensive 3-0 demolition of Ipswich Town, who are a point better off than their upcoming opponents.

Brighton haven't won at the Blues since 1989, but with Birmingham in disarray they won't get many better chances to improve that record. But backing the Seagulls in the Draw No Bet market provides welcome insurance at 1.75.

Crystal Palace v Bolton

Bolton manager Dougie Freedman returns to his former club Crystal Palace when the two teams meet in the Championship at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles have not exactly been flying under Freedman's successor Ian Holloway, who despite winning his first three games at the club has only managed two victories from 10 league games since. Palace have kept place with their promotion rivals however, remaining hard to beat all season with just three defeats from their last 24 in all competitions. A mid-week trip to Stoke in the FA Cup appears a big ask, while rumours of a Premier League move continue to surround the future of young Wilfried Zaha.

Bolton remain in the bottom half of the division under Freedman, having won only four of 15 games after he took over at the Trotters. Seven draws have ensured his side have continued to pick up points though, and the Scot insists there is enough potential at the club to mount a good run in the second half of the season. Bolton visit Sunderland in the FA Cup before travelling south to meet Crystal Palace, as a cramped January fixture schedule takes hold.

Neither side are in top form and with both outfits facing tricky FA Cup away days at Premier League sides, this one could be a low scoring affair. Palace and Bolton's last three meetings have produced just one goal a game, so supporting Under 2.5 Goals in this one looks assured at 2.05.

Recommended Bets

Back Leicester to win at 1.61

Back Leicester to win 2-1 at 7.5

Back Brighton to win at 2.45

Back Brighton in the Draw No Bet market at 1.75

Back Crystal Palace and Bolton to draw at 3.3

Back Under 2.5 Goals between Crystal Palace and Bolton at 2.05

Prices are based on our Fixed Odds product, so any winnings are exempt from commission