FOOTBALL LEAGUE expert Ross Casey (@RossCasey24) has been in decent form since joining us and here's his take on Sunday's final day Championship coupon.
Cardiff v Reading | Sunday 6th May 2018, 12:30 | Sky Sports
A win here for Cardiff would guarantee Premier League football for Neil Warncok's side, no matter the result that Fulham get at Birmingham.
Considering they are facing a Reading side who have lost six of their last nine away games, and their last five ion a row, it should be music to the ears of Bluebirds fans.
The Royals should be fighting for their lives as there is still a chance they suffer relegation, but there has been little sign of that. A home match against Ipswich looked a perfect opportunity to guarantee their safety, but they somehow wound up losing 4-0.
Paul Clement has claimed that there will be multiple changes after that pitiful display and good on him.
There is a lot of pressure on Cardiff here of course but they’ve held their nerve very well so far this season, and their home record of 16 wins this season cannot be beaten by any other Championship side, nor their defensive record of just 16 goals conceded.
So considering they concede less than any other side and have won more home games than every side other than leaders Wolves, who are tied on 16, you have to fancy Cardiff.
The bookies know this of course and have made them very short favourites at 4/11.
That isn't worth taking on so let's get a bit more value out of them by backing them to win ‘to nil', which they have successfully managed to do eight times this season, whilst Reading have suffered that fate eight times this season, including in three of their last four away matches.
This selection is available at 11/10 with 188BET.
Bristol City v Sheff Utd | Sunday 6th May 2018, 15:00
Both of these sides looked like promotion contenders this season before fading away. Bristol City have won just four of their last 24 matches in all competitions in a bottle job to end all bottle jobs to miss out, on not only the top two spots, but the top six.
Meanwhile, the Blades picked up just five wins from their last 18. Therefore. this match is nothing short of an exhibition now, with the only real prize at stake for the play-off hunting pack a shallow seventh placed finish.
I think that due to the relaxed atmosphere, this could well be a bit of a shoot-out – although it would be difficult to match the 5-5 draw at Ashton Gate last time out!
Both teams have scored in six of the last seven matches involving Sheffield United this season and with the Robins conceding 14 in their last nine at Ashton Gate – and missing Nathan Baker in defence – I fancy the Blades to net.
I also think that Bristol City will score with Bobby Reid the most likely. He has scored 19 goals this season, leaving him one goal off the joint-top goalscorers in the division and manager Lee Johnson has already said he will be on penalty duty in this one.
It looks like being a tough summer for City with the vultures circling around the likes of Reid and if he finishes top scorer in the Championship that could add a bit more value to his transfer fee, which would suit the Robins as he only has one year left on his current contract.
Therefore, my selections in this one are both teams to score at 8/13 with Marathon and Bobby Reid to score at 9/5 with Paddy Power.
Best Bets
Cardiff v Reading – Cardiff to win ‘to nil' (11/10 188BET)
Bristol City v Sheffield Utd – Both Teams To Score (8/13 Marathon)
Bristol City v Sheffield Utd – Bobby Reid anytime (9/5 Paddy Power)
