The Championship Previews: Posh boys to get a priceless win at Derby

 

Mike Norman takes a look at today's Championship action and selects three bets for us to consider, including Peterborough at a great price away to Derby...

 

Derby 2.12 v Peterborough 3.8; The Draw 3.65

 

On a really tricky afternoon of fixtures I just about make Peterborough the stand out selection, purely on the basis that their win odds look very generous.

 

I'm not sure any side in the Championship should be available to back at 3.8 when they're on a run of 10 games unbeaten, but that is what's on offer here. And it's not as if Posh are away to one of the top sides in the division today; they are away to a Derby side sitting 15th in the table who have won just two of their last six home games - and one of those was against bottom-of-the-table Bristol City.

 

True, Peterborough's unbeaten run contains six draws, so it could turn out that just laying Derby is the better bet, but the fact that Darren Ferguson's men aren't  losing, are conceding few goals, and crucially, are still fighting for their lives in their quest to avoid relegation, temps me to back the away side in this game.

 

Peterborough's last six league games have resulted in wins against Blackpool, Cardiff and Watford no less, while they have also managed a draw with in-form Brighton.  Their form is there for all to see, and they shouldn't be the price they are today to win this.

 

Recommended Bet: Back Peterborough to win @ 3.8 (best bet)

 

 

Brighton 2.0 v Blackpool 4.4; The Draw 3.6

 

Brighton's run towards the play-offs appeared to be on a slippery road with just one win in their last five games, but the fact that they didn't lose the other four  (therefore picked up four points), and the other clubs in the play-off places also started dropping points means Gus Poyet's men remain handily placed, three points  ahead of seventh-placed Bolton.

 

One more win for the Seagulls will probably do and I'm expecting it to come this afternoon against a Blackpool side who have improved of late, but aren't scoring  enough goals to get the wins.

 

In fact it's difficult to knock at first glance Blackpool's run of just one defeat in 10 league games, but then you notice that Paul Ince's men have won just three of  their last 12 outings and the reason for that is obvious - a lack of goals. The Tangerines have scored just seven times in those 12 games, and only once have they  scored two in the same game.

 

Blackpool are obviously defending well, but that statement also applies to Brighton at present, and with home advantage I fancy Poyet's men to grab a narrow victory in  what will probably turn out to be a low-scoring affair.

 

Recommended Bet: Back Brighton to win @ 2.0

 

 

Watford 1.98 v Blackburn 4.3; The Draw 3.75

 

Another promotion-chasing team that can be backed at close to even money playing at home to a club at the wrong end of the table. And just like Brighton, Watford  haven't been winning frequently in the last few weeks. But the Hornets haven't been playing badly and they remain one of the highest-scoring clubs in the country.

 

Two away defeats on the spin has virtually put pay to Watford's chances of automatic promotion but the fact that mathematically they can still do it will be enough  incentive for them to go all out for the win today.

 

Prior to those two away defeats Gianfranco Zola's men had drawn with likely Champions Cardiff, defeated likely runners-up Hull away from home, and scored three against  Burnley. These three results sum-up Watford in a nutshell, very good on their day and capable of matching it with any side in the division whilst having the ability to  score goals.

 

Today's rivals Blackburn will be devastated that they've won their last two games yet managed to pull just two points away from the relegation zone. Lose today and  they are right back in trouble. Rovers have lost their last five away games and haven't recorded an away victory in 2013. I don't see anything changing this afternoon.

 

Recommended Bet: Back Watford to win @ 1.98

 

Season P/L (1pt each bet, 2pts best bet)

 

Bet HERE

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