No reason to desert the Tykes just yet

 

Mike Norman is hoping to make a bee-line to the payout counter by backing these three B-initialled clubs on Saturday afternoon. B lucky Mike...

 

Blackburn 2.1 v Leeds 3.9; The Draw 3.6

 

There's a few angles in to this game that point strongly to a home victory. First, Leeds are in dreadful league form away from home, taking just one point from the  last 18 available to them. In that time they've conceded over two goals per game, and in their last four away trips they've failed to score in three of them.

 

Secondly, Leeds always concede away from Elland Road. Neil Warnock's men have played 18 league and cups games on their travels this term and they haven't managed a  single clean sheet in one of them.

 

Blackburn have gone through a much needed upturn in form under new boss Michael Appleton, and as well as recording a magnificent win over Arsenal last week, they now  go in search of their third successive win at Ewood Park. Rovers have scored in each of their last eight league and cup games on home soil, and coupled with the away  form and defensive record of today's opponents then you'd have to think they can make it nine.

 

Another negative towards Leeds is that they have won just three away game this season, and those were against poor sides who currently occupy three of the bottom four  positions in the Championship table. At odds against, Blackburn look a solid proposition.

 

Recommended Bet: Back Blackburn to win @ 2.1

 

 

Brighton 2.02 v Burnley 4.3; The Draw 3.65

 

Those of you with good memories will remember that Brighton were the early leaders of the Championship this season thanks to five straight wins by the middle of  September. They fell away slightly in the few months that followed but since the turn of the year they appear to be almost back on track.

 

A cup win over Newcastle, just one defeat in their last eight league games, and a magnificent victory at league leaders Cardiff in midweek means that the Seagulls will  be full of confidence for the visit of inconsistent Burnley.

 

The Clarets have rarely featured in this column this season simply because I find them difficult to predict. Sean Dyche's men have taken just two points from the last  12 available to them but it's the fact that they concede virtually two goals per game away from home that worries me ahead of this tie.

 

Gus Poyet's men play some fantastic passing football with flamboyant Spanish trio Andrea Orlandi, David Lopez, and Vicente pulling the strings in recent weeks. The  Seagulls are on a high, whereas Burnley look a big fragile at present. Expect a comfortable home win.

 

Recommended Bet: Back Brighton to win @ 2.02

 

 

Bristol City 2.62 v Barnsley 2.82; The Draw 3.55

 

Barnsley are not only the form team in the Championship but they are one of the most in-form sides in the country across all divisions.

 

David Flitcroft is doing a superb job at Oakwell and is clearly getting the best out of his players, most of it through hard work and belief. They've won eight and  drawn one of their last nine league and cup games and now have a wonderful opportunity to extend that run against bottom-of-the table Bristol City.

 

The Robins haven't been in too shabby form themselves of late, winning three of their last six, but crucially they've lost their last two and will go into this game  without three first-team regulars, captain Cole Skuse, striker Sam Baldock, and defender Louis Carey.

 

But Barnsley have done me some excellent turns of late, winning as my best bet selection at odds of 5.4 and 2.4 and I think that 2.82 about  them winning today is far too big. The Tykes have scored more goals on their travels than they have at home, have won six successive games in all competitions, and now  face a side that has already lost 20 league games and conceded 62 goals.

 

Recommended Bet: Back Barnsley @ 2.82 (best bet)

 

Bet HERE

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