Championship Tips: Zola's Watford to seize promotion chance by beating Leeds

Zola's men look nailed on for a win on Saturday

For the final time this season Jamie Dickenson makes his early picks for a Championship weekend using Betfair's Sportsbook prices...

Watford v Leeds United
Saturday, 12:45pm (Live on Sky Sports Xtra)
Watford could snatch automatic promotion from under the noses of Hull if they can beat Leeds and rely on Cardiff to take at least a point at the KC Stadium.

Gianfranco Zola's side pushed the Premier League promotion battle to the last day of the season after winning away at Leicester City, a game notable for a thumping long-range drive from on-loan Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah. It is the Hornets loan stars that have caused controversy in the Championship this year, but they could be set to go up if things go their way on Saturday. Two wins on the bounce have come at the perfect time for Watford, as has a return to goalscoring form for Troy Deeney - who will hope to fire his team to victory - and add to his 19 league goals after scoring three in two.

Despite making a good start to life as Leeds boss, Brian McDermott has followed up two initial victories with back-to-back defeats, and a trip to determined Watford looks unlikely to yield any joy. The Whites' recent defeat to Brighton saw three red cards in the game, with two for the home side and influential midfielder Rodolph Austin and forward El Hadji Diouf are both suspended for the trip to Vicarage Road - although Austin's sending off is set to be appealed. Even so, United are safe in the division and may already have their eyes on the summer break.

With the stakes so high for Watford it could be a nervy afternoon in Hertfordshire, but they should have too much strength for Leeds and a 1-0 could be worth a punt at 7.5n/a.

Recommended Bets
Back Watford at 1.351/3
Back Watford to win 1-0 at 7.5n/a

Hull City v Cardiff City 
Saturday, 12:45pm (Live on Sky Sports 2)
Hull will be hoping that Championship winners Cardiff ease off the gas for their final game of the campaign in East Yorkshire.

Steve Bruce's Tigers know they must better Watford's result on Saturday if they are to gain automatic promotion to the Premier League and avoid the lottery of the playoffs. Hull fluffed their chance to secure a spot in next season's top tier by losing at lowly Barnsley, with the home side set to welcome Cardiff without a win in three matches. But Hull will surely raise their game for this financially monumental encounter that pits the league's top club against the second best.

The hosts haven't scored in three games which is particularly worrying for Hull fans, who would be happy to take a goal from anywhere against the Bluebirds if it helps them to return pinnacle of English football after a two-year absence.

Despite wrapping up the title with games to spare and manager Malky Mackay probably already preparing his plans for next season's Premier League charge, Cardiff have remained hard to beat and are without a defeat in seven. Five of those games were draws, and with little to play for at the KC Stadium the Welsh champions may fall to defeat. However, many players will want to prove they deserve a crack at top-flight football and they could earn a point under the TV cameras.

Hull will be desperate for victory but Cardiff are still churning out results and a draw in this game looks a worthy selection at 3.412/5, with Both Teams To Score a more conservative but likely 1.758/11 bet.

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Back Hull and Cardiff to draw at 3.4012/5
Back Both Teams To Score in Hull v Cardiff at 1.758/11

Brighton and Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Saturday, 12:45pm
Wolves are facing up to the likelihood of successive relegations as they travel to Brighton hoping for a final day miracle at the Amex Stadium.

Less than 12 months after playing Premier League football, Wolves look destined to drop down to League One with the club currently three points from safety. For Dean Saunders' side to stay up they must beat Brighton and hope neither of Peterborough or Barnsley earn a point or more in their end of season fixtures. Saunders is already preparing for next season in the third tier, and Wolves' lack of fight during the final few weeks of the campaign have been startling to fans. Supporters invaded the pitch after last weekend's home defeat to Burnley and they could well drop out of the Championship in further ignominy on the south coast.

Brighton have secured a playoff spot after an impressive season under Gus Poyet, and will hope to sign their league campaign of by maintaining their good form as they bid to make the Premier League via the knockout route. Three wins in their last four suggest the Seagulls will finish their season on a high, especially so given they won their last home match 6-1 against Blackpool. If Wolves don't pull themselves together for their away trip, Poyet's side could pull off another rout with Will Buckley back from injury and a good bet to score from the hosts after netting twice in as many games.

Wolves have been so disappointing this season they wouldn't surprise with another heartless performance, and Brighton's good form and tight defence - just 17 goals conceded at home is the second best in the league - means they are worth backing to Win To Nil at 3.185/40.

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Back Brighton to win at 1.855/6
Back Brighton to Win To Nil at 3.1085/40

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