THE final three Championship games of 2014 take place on Tuesday night but what’s Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) backing?
Derby County v Leeds United | Tuesday 19.45 | Sky Sports 1
A win for Derby would bring the Rams back into within three points of table-topping Bournemouth and the bookmakers fully believe Steve McClaren’s men will get the job done on Tuesday night. The hosts are just 8/15 to collect maximum points from the visit of Leeds.
But Derby haven’t had it all there own way in recent weeks. Their last five games reads W2-D1-L2 and that includes a 2-0 reverse at Tuesday evening’s opponents back in late November. However, a 4-0 demolition job of Birmingham on Boxing Day was a welcome reminder of the quality the Rams possess.
Home form under McClaren has been outstanding too. Since the former England manager took charge, Derby have won 20/29 (69%) games at the iPro Stadium and led at the break in 16/29 (55%) including their last five matches. The Rams can also boast the league’s best attack on home soil, scoring at least twice in 7/11 this term.
As for Leeds, their record of W2-D5-L8 in their last 15 games has seen them sink towards the relegation zone. Neil Redfearn’s men have taken just four points from 18 but it’s their away form that causes most alarm – collecting two points from a possible 21 and losing 7/11 on the road.
It’s difficult to make a case for the Whites but I wouldn’t bet against them grabbing a goal. Leeds have scored in 9/11 of their away outings this season, including their previous six. Overall, they’ve netted in 17/23 matches this term.
With all that considered, I’m going to take a chance on Derby to win and Both Teams To Score at 5/2 with SkyBet.
Ipswich Town v Charlton Athletic | Tuesday 19.45
I’ve declared my love for Mick McCarthy plenty of times and I’m absolutely delighted to see his Ipswich side performing so well. The former Wolves boss isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but there’s absolutely no doubt he’s an excellent Football League manager.
Since he’s taken charge at Portman Road, Ipswich have won 30/50 (60%) Championship home games so no wonder the hosts are just 3/5 to collect maximum points on Tuesday night. The Suffolk side have W11-D6-L1 of their last 18 league outings and another victory will bring them to within a point of the second tier summit.
Visitors Charlton are hanging onto the coattails of the top-half. Having started the season with three wins from their first six and unbeaten until early October, the Addicks have started to return to where we expected pre-season.
Bob Peeters’ team remain a tough nut to crack but W2-D6-L4 in their previous 12 has seen the Londoners start to drop off the play-off pace and on the road they’ve now W1-D2-L3 of their last six. Draws are a Charlton specialty – they’ve finished level in 13/23 (57%) of their league games – as well as low-scoring matches with 16/23 (70%) seeing Under 2.5 Goals.
So how do we find a decent-priced winner from Portman Road? With Ipswich the likely winners it’s interesting to note that they’ve led at half-time in five of their last seven victories and in six of their eight home wins already this season. Meanwhile, Charlton have trailed at the break in all three of their away defeats this season so the 6/4 on Ipswich-Ipswich in the HT/FT market from BetVictor is the selection here.
Best Bets
Derby County v Leeds United – Derby to win and Both Teams To Score (5/2 SkyBet)
Ipswich Town v Charlton Athletic – Ipswich/Ipswich HT/FT (6/4 BetVictor)
Back Derby At 4/1 Or Ipswich At 5/1
Yes, Betfair are offering new customers a great opportunity to make healthy cash on Tuesday night. You can back Derby at 4/1 to beat Leeds or Ipswich at 5/1 to beat Charlton. Phwoar.
New Customer Offer
Derby v Leeds – Derby to win (4/1 Betfair)
or
Ipswich v Charlton – Ipswich to win (5/1 Betfair)
