Championship Tips: Leeds to follow scalp of Spurs with victory over Cardiff

Leeds boss Neil Warnock has plenty to smile about at present

Jamie Dickenson takes an ealry look at this weekend's Championship action and selects a few wagers based on Betfair's Fixed Odds product...

Leeds v Cardiff

Leeds United, fresh from sending Tottenham packing in the FA Cup, are set to host Cardiff City at Elland Road in the Championship this weekend.

The Whites emphatically beat Spurs 2-1 thanks to Ross McCormack's second-half thunderbolt - their third win in a row - to take United through to the Fifth Round of the competition. Neil Warnock's side have now lost just once in nine home games, and that was a Capital One Cup game against a strong Chelsea team. McCormack has spoken of his desire to replace wantaway striker Luciano Becchio for the Yorkshire outfit, and will have a great chance to do so against his former club Cardiff. 11th place Leeds have the joint-fourth best home record in the league - with nine wins from 14 - and could well follow up their Spurs win by beating the league leaders.

Cardiff are 10 points clear at the top of the division, and you will find few backers expecting their usual promotion collapse occurring again this season. But while the Cardiff City Stadium has proved a fortress for the Bluebirds, Malky Mackay's side have show weakness on the road. Five defeats - often at mid-table sides like Nottingham Forest, Bolton and Charlton - prove City are not infallible on their travels. Just one win in their last three outings is not great form either, and the Elland Road atmosphere could make things difficult for the visitors.

The odds for Leeds to win outright are pretty generous considering their dominant home form, but as Cardiff are the league's strongest team covering the hosts by backing them in the Draw No Bet market at 2.05n/a looks wise.

Derby v Huddersfield

Derby County host Huddersfield Town at Pride Park on Saturday, with the visitors set to be led by caretaker manager Mark Lillis after Simon Grayson's sacking last week.

The Rams are cautiously looking up the table and dreaming of a play-off push, despite just one Championship victory in their last six games. Nigel Clough's side are a strong force at home, having suffered just two defeats on their own patch this season. That solid record as hosts didn't stop Blackburn from pitching up at Derby last weekend and knocking them out of the FA Cup though. But with Huddersfield facing promotion contenders Crystal Palace during the week, the home side have a great opportunity at the weekend to get back to winning ways against potentially tired opposition.

Huddersfield sacked Grayson after a run of 12 league matches without a win, although the club are still in the FA Cup after pushing Leicester to a replay last time out at the John Smith's Stadium. The Terriers are bound to be low on confidence from their recent dismal spell, and with seven Championship defeats on the road, Town will not be eagerly anticipating another away day. Huddersfield's 14 away goals is the joint-second worst haul in the league, and the Yorkshire club's small squad could be exposed by Derby.

With Derby not in fantastic form this game could take a while to get going, but the home side improving in the second half as Huddersfield tire seems likely. Therefore backing Draw/Derby in the Half-time/Full-time market looks a good punt at 4.3100/30.

Watford v Bolton

In-form Watford welcome mid-table Bolton to Vicarage Road, as Gianfranco Zola's side look to continue their unexpected push for promotion to the Premier League.

The Hornets are the best away side in the Championship, and will hope for a profitable trip to Bristol City mid-week before they host Bolton at the weekend. Just one point off Leicester in second-place, Zola will be keen to keep his team's momentum going against Bolton, having won five of their last six league games. Forward Matej Vydra has been crucial to those victories, scoring two goals in every one of those matches. Vydra has been linked with a move to Spurs in this transfer window but should stay with Watford, and the nippy 20-year-old can help keep the flame burning for the Hertfordshire club.

Bolton aren't quite firing under manager Dougie Freedman at the moment, with just one win from six Championship matches. A 2-0 away victory at Sunderland in the FA Cup showed what the Trotters can do though, but that was followed up with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace and a defeat to Everton in the Fourth Round of the famous cup. English striker Marvin Sordell has been playing well recently with four goals in as many games, but Bolton look set to come up short against a hot Watford team.

The Hornets last two victories were recorded with a clean sheet, and another Win To Nil for Watford against Bolton can be backed at 3.711/4.

Recommended Bets

Back Leeds to beat Cardiff at 2.87n/a
Back Leeds in the Draw No Bet market at 2.05n/a
Back Derby to beat Huddersfield at 1.84/5
Back Draw/Derby in the Half-Time/Full-time market at 4.3100/30
Back Watford to beat Bolton at 2.01/1
Back Watford to Win To Nil at 3.711/4

Prices are based on our Fixed Odds product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.