The Championship Weekend Previews: Brum revving up towards a good run

Are Lee Clarke's side ready to hit a good run of form?

Mike Norman brings us his latest recommended wagers from the 'anyone can beat anyone' league that is the Championship...

If ever a result epitomises the unpredictable nature of the Championship then it was last week's game in South Wales.

League leaders Cardiff had won 10 games on the bounce at the Cardiff City Stadium and were long odds on to beat bottom-of-the table Peterborough. Beat them they didn't. I know a few good judges who were against Cardiff simply because shock results happen every week in this division, so I suppose you could says Posh's 2-1 win was unsurprisingly surprising!

But it was good news for this column; another best bet landed and another profitable week meaning we're almost 150 in front if placing 10 on every selection (20 on the best bet).

Birmingham 2.447/5 v Burnley 3.052/1; The Draw 3.65n/a

Birmingham's last two home games have resulted in a win over third-place Middlesbrough and an excellent draw with second-place Crystal Palace, so if you can take that form literally then odds of 2.447/5 about Lee Clarke's men beating mid-table Burnley appear more than generous.

True, the wider picture isn't as clear, but Brum still deserve to be favourites, and strong ones at that, in my book.

Birmingham have had a tough run of fixtures of late, and whilst they haven't recorded the amounts of wins they'd have liked, they've still performed with credit, drawing away to Blackburn and Blackpool as well as holding high-flying Leicester to a draw. Add in those results against Boro and Palace and Brum seem like a side on the verge of a decent run of form.

Burnley have won just one of their last seven and have lost to the likes of Ipswich and failed to beat Barnsley in two of their most recent away games. The Clarets haven't scored more than one goal in any of their last eight and I believe a few goals for the home side should see them to victory.

Recommended Bet: Back Birmingham to win @ 2.447/5 (best bet)

Ipswich 1.910/11 v Bristol City 4.47/2; The Draw 3.8514/5

If Ipswich are to avoid relegation - and for the record I think they will - then this is the kind of game they have to win.

Mick McCarthy has made a tremendous impact at Portman Road, leading his side to five wins from their last nine games, a run that would make them a top-eight side on current form. Crucially the Tractor Boys have sorted their home form out, taking 10 points from the last 12 available including scoring three each past decent sides Nottm Forest and Millwall.

Bristol City have lost no less than 11 of their last 16 league games and their only significant result of note was that freak 3-1 victory at Middlesbrough. They also beat a very out-of-form Sheff Wed side a few games ago but the Robins aren't a great side and Ipswich should win this.

Recommended Bet: Back Ipswich to win @ 1.910/11

Peterborough 3.613/5 v Bolton 2.166/5; The Draw 3.7511/4

There are signs in recent weeks that Peterborough have reverted back to their old mindset of gung-ho football - you score two and we'll (try to) score three. It's a style of football that has served them well in recent seasons and it could be the only way that Darren Ferguson's side survive this season.

Posh have conceded an alarming 15 goals in their last six league games but on the plus side they did score four in two games against Middlesbrough and Cardiff. So with Bolton visiting London Road on Saturday there's every reason to expect goals in this encounter.

The Trotters' away games this term have averaged over three goals; nine of their last 10 have finished with Over 2.5 Goals paying out, and three of their last six have gone over the 3.5 goals mark. Also, all of their last 10 games on the road have resulted in both sides getting on the scoresheet. I don't see that changing here, but at the odds I'd rather wager that we'll see the net bulge at least four times on Saturday.

Recommended Bet: Back Over 3.5 Goals @ 2.747/4

Season P/L (1pt each bet, 2pts Best Bet)

Wagered: 84 pts
Returned: 98.86 pts
P/L + 14.86 pts