EFL Championship Round 39 Preview: West Brom Meet Birmingham In Local Derby

Meanwhile, Norwich face tough trip to Middlesbrough while Sheffield United host Bristol City

Club football is back this weekend and the EFL Championship is heating up with the race to reach the Premier League drawing to an exciting climax. On Friday night (29 March) West Brom host Birmingham in a local derby, while the following day table toppers Norwich face a tricky test away at Middlesbrough, and promotion hopefuls Sheffield United welcome Bristol City to Bramall Lane.

First things first

Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the EFL Championship campaign now in its final stretch, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.

Where should I be investing my money?

First up, let’s start with the derby between West Brom and Birmingham on Friday night. West Brom sit fourth in the table and are unbeaten in their last three league games, taking seven points from nine available – they are priced at 3.25 to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Birmingham, in stark contrast, are in freefall, having lost their last four league games on the bounce. The club look to have blown their chance of reaching the top six this term but must arrest what has become a worrying slide over the last few weeks of the season.

And it is no surprise to see that it is West Brom who come into this match as the clear favourites to take all three points. You can back the home side to win at just 1.75, while Birmingham are out at 4.33 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 3.75, according to Oddsshark.

And we are expecting a comfortable evening for the home side. A 2-0 win for West Brom comes in at 8.00, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$40 pay out, while you can triple your money by backing a combo bet of a West Brom win, coupled with a “no” to both teams scoring, at 3.00.

Norwich face tough test at Boro

The following day, Middlesbrough take on table toppers Norwich looking to knock the Canaries off their perch. Boro sit fifth in the table but have lost their last three league games in a row – as a result, they are now out at 6.00 to win promotion back to the top flight this term.

Norwich, by way of comparison, have won their last six matches in a row and sit four points clear at the top of the table. They are priced at just 1.53 to win the EFL Championship league title outright this season.

And while the betting is very close in this one, it is Norwich who come in as the slight favourites to pick up the points. You can more than double your money by backing the league leaders to make it seven wins in a row at 2.50 while Middlesbrough, despite home advantage, come in higher at 2.80 – a draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at 3.25.

And we are expecting Norwich’s recent winning streak to continue. A narrow, 2-1 win for the league leaders is priced at 9.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$47.50 pay out, while you can more than double your money by backing over 2.5 goals in the game at 2.10.

Sheffield United need to beat Bristol City in title race

And finally, Sheffield United host Bristol City needing all three points if they are to challenge Norwich for the league crown. The Blades have won their last three games in a row and sit in second place, four points behind Norwich – they are at 4.00 to win the league title in May.

Bristol City, meanwhile, are without a win in their last six matches across all competitions. Currently in ninth place, they are now out at 3.75 to finish in the top six come the end of the campaign.

And it is indeed Sheffield United who come into this match as the red hot favourites to take all three points. You can back the Blades to make it four league wins in a row at just 1.72, while Bristol City are out at 4.75 to get back to winning ways – a draw is priced in the m idle at 3.60.

Again, we think this should be comfortable for the home side. A 2-0 win for United is priced at 7.50, while you can more than double your money by backing a combo bet of a Sheffield United win, with a “No” to both teams scoring, at 2.62.

EFL Championship round 39 fixtures:

Friday, 29 March

(1.75) West Bromwich Albion x Birmingham City (4.33); draw (3.75)

Saturday, 30 March

(1.61) Aston Villa x Blackburn Rovers (5.50); draw (3.80)

(1.61) Derby County x Rotherham United (5.75); draw (3.75)

(3.10) Ipswich Town x Hull City (2.37); draw (3.10)

(1.50) Leeds x Millwall (7.50); draw (3.80)

(2.25) Nottingham Forest x Swansea City (3.25); draw (3.20)

(1.65) QPR x Bolton (5.50); draw (3.60)

(3.20) Reading x Preston (2.25); draw (3.20)

(1.72) Sheffield United x Bristol City (4.75); draw (3.60)