Friday 1st February 2019
Preston v Derby
A cracking Friday night fixture and one which Derby should enjoy as they have won seven and drawn two of their last nine meetings at this level. The last six of those meetings have all ended Under 2.5 goals. I can see this being tight but Derby at 3.00 are a touch big and a back with a view to trading if they lead looks fair value.
Saturday 2nd February 2019
Birmingham v Nottm Forest
Four of the last five meetings in Birmingham ended Under 2.5 goals whereas the opposite happens when they meet in Nottingham. Both are inconsistent, so it might be worth chancing the new manager syndrome, as Forest won their first game under Martin O’Neill and at 3.60 with a view to trading that looks decent value.
Bristol City v Swansea
Bristol have pushed themselves up the table and are unbeaten in ten, winning their last four. Swansea have themselves had a minor revival and are unbeaten in four following two defeats. Only three recent meetings at this level all ended as away wins and all were Under 2.5 goals. Try trading correct score around 1-0 and 1- with a view to greening up.
Ipswich v Sheff Wed
Ipswich look to be in real trouble at the bottom of the table with just one win in the middle of five defeats. They have won only three times this season and take on a Wednesday side who have lost just once in six. Six of the last eight head to head have gone Over 2.5 goals as have five of the last six meetings at Portman Road. As a trading option, Over 2.5 goals at 2.50 stands out as I cannot see a negative game here with Ipswich needing to get three points and Wednesday do score goals on the road.
Reading v Aston Villa
Five recent meetings with four going Over 2.5 goals and two wins apiece. Reading have won one in twelve with Villa losing just two of fourteen. Aston Villa to win at 2.10.
Brentford v Blackburn
Two sides who have hit a bit of form with Brentford unbeaten in six and Blackburn on a run of four wins. There have been seven recent head to head with four wins for Blackburn including their last two visits here. Blackburn are too big at 4.00 and can be backed with a view to trading.
West Brom v Middlesbrough
Two sides pushing for promotion with West Brom losing one in twelve and Middlesbrough losing one in six. West Brom have drawn four of their last five home games and that could easily be the case again here. Middlesbrough won 1-0 at the Riverside in August and I can see this being a low scoring game too. Correct score trading around 0-0 and 1-1 will hopefully allow us to get a green book here.