The Championship Midweek Previews: Posh to return to losing ways

Barnsley are a good bet to beat Peterborough says Mike Norman

After Saturday's 'barmy results' day Mike Norman is hoping tonight's Championship action returns to normality, which will mean defeats for Peterborough, Ipswich and Watford...

Barnsley 1.9620/21 v Peterborough 4.03/1; The Draw 3.9n/a

It was one of those barmy days in the Championship on Saturday; four of the top five in the table at the start of the day - Brighton, Huddersfield, Hull, and Blackpool - all suffered defeats, the thirst three named losing on home soil.

The biggest upset was caused by Peterborough who came away from in-form Hull with a magnificent 3-1 victory. Don't read too much into that result however, Posh had four shots on target and scored with three of them, Hull dominated possession and had over 20 shots at goal, scoring just the once. As Steve Bruce said, "It was one of those awful days."

But a win is a win and Darren Ferguson's men will take great heart after registering their first three points of the season.

Barnsley meanwhile were extremely unlucky not to beat Ipswich. They went a goal down early but from the moment they equalised there was only one team going to win it. The Tykes pushed hard for the winner but it never came; again, it was just one of those days. Keith Hill's men are playing some good football at Oakwell and I'm willing to ignore the weekend's freak results and back the home side again here.

Recommended Bet: Back Barnsley to win @ 1.9620/21 (Best Bet)

Brighton 1.84/5 v Ipswich 5.49/2; The Draw 3.814/5

Birmingham lost at home 5-0 the game before last; on Saturday they won away at the Championship leaders. I suppose on paper, Brighton's failure to beat Brum wasn't a huge shock, but with Gus Poyet's men in such good form, and Birmingham on a bad run, then a home win would have been expected.

The Seagulls quickly get an opportunity to make amends for Saturday's defeat, and the visit of Ipswich should result in three points to the home side.

Prior to the Birmingham game Brighton had won five league games in succession, scoring 14 goals in the process. During the same period, Paul Jewell's Tractor Boys drew one and lost four of their five games, including a 6-0 away loss. Brighton will beat many good sides at the Falmer Stadium this term; Ipswich already look like a side destined to be in the bottom half of the table.

Recommended Bet: Back Brighton @ 1.84/5

Charlton 2.35/4 v Watford 3.412/5; The Draw 3.613/5

I'm continuing with my strategy of opposing what I believe to be poor sides rather than simply concentrate on the in-form clubs in the division. That might sound a little odd given the three teams I'm opposing in midweek took seven points between them on Saturday. But I still believe Watford (as well as Peterborough and Ipswich) are very opposable right now.

Having said that, if Charlton continue the way they are going it's quite possible they will find themselves on my opposable list. The Addicks have won just one of their last six league fixtures, and that was against Ipswich!

But I strongly fancy last season's League One runaway winners to do well in the Championship, and if they are to confirm my faith in them then Chris Powell's men must start winning on home soil.

The visit of Watford gives Charlton an opportunity, but the Hornets will be buzzing (sorry!) with confidence after their terrific win at Huddersfield on Saturday. But I've never been one to take a single result as a 'turning-the-corner' in form, and with Watford being poor defensively so far this season I'm taking the home side to score a few tonight, and register a morale-boosting win.

Recommended Bet: Back Charlton to win @ 2.35/4

Season P/L (1pt each bet, 2pts Best Bet)
Wagered: 32 pts
Returned: 43.44 pts
P/L + 11.44 pts