THE Easter weekend is always such an exciting time for football fans dishing up two matches played in close proximity.
Championship betting will go through the roof due to these fixtures impacting heavily on promotion and relegation issues. There’ll be more twists and turns than Hampton Court maze!
Here are the Good Friday pairings I am looking forward to most alongside considered score predictions to assist your football betting…
Oxford United v Leeds United
Rankings: 17th versus 1st
2024/25 Championship Head to Head
Saturday 21st December 2024: Leeds United 4-0 Oxford United
Oxford United – Three wins across five outings move them six points clear of the dreaded dotted relegation line. Oxford United boss Gary Rowett said: “My team is full of character.”
Leeds United – Top on goal difference following two straight victories. It is just one defeat in 24 ongoing EFL encounters for Daniel Farke’s men.
Leeds have also confirmed wholehearted commitment in the past few days to increase their capacity at Elland Road by nearly 20,000 to reach 56,500. That suggests long-term planning for sustained Premier League football.
Score prediction: Oxford omnipotent 1-0.
Watford v Burnley
Rankings: 11th versus 2nd
2024/25 Championship Head to Head
Saturday 21st December 2024: Burnley 2-1 Watford
Watford – Six point short of Play-Off contention after four defeats during seven games.
Burnley – Second on goal difference. The Clarets haven’t been beaten in 29 EFL affairs since 3rd November whilst cherishing the division’s foremost defensive rearguard leaking 13 goals in 42 fixtures.
Burnley have merely lost twice all season protecting a Championship record of 29 clean sheets.
Score prediction: Burnley brilliant 2-0.
Sheffield United v Cardiff City
Rankings: 3rd versus 22nd
2024/25 Championship Head to Head
Saturday 21st December 2024: Cardiff City 0-2 Sheffield United
Sheffield United – I’ve been truly surprised by a dramatic form slump which reflects three consecutive defeats. They subsequently lie five points below those automatic promotion spots.
Blades boss Chris Wilder said: “We couldn’t have had a worse run in terms of results. The players must pick themselves up quickly as we need a big Easter now.”
Cardiff City – One point adrift of safety. Four winless matches incorporating three draws before last Saturday’s single goal home loss at the hands of Stoke City. Overall, a solitary victory in nine League and Cup games for the Bluebirds.
Score prediction: Blades bounce back 3-1.
Bristol City v Sunderland
Rankings: 5th versus 4th
2024/25 Championship Head to Head
Tuesday 10th December 2024: Sunderland 1-1 Bristol City
Bristol City – Firmly ensconced in the Play-Off discussions because of one defeat in 11 games embracing six victories. I watched their 1-1 scoreline against Queens Park Rangers last Saturday within the Loftus Road press box.
Bristol City recovered well having conceded an early goal and were decent value for the point. West Ham loanee George Earthy finished off a nice passing move to equalise. I sensed a real feel-good factor amongst the passionate travelling fans.
Returning to Ashton Gate on Good Friday, home fortunes have secured nine wins from 11 EFL attempts beyond Christmas. Mark Sykes is doubtful with a quad injury sustained in the warm-up at QPR. Meanwhile goalkeeper Max O’Leary hopes to shake off his ankle problem.
Sunderland – One point amidst the past two matches without scoring but already certain of a Play-Off berth.
Score prediction: Pulsating 3-3.
Middlesbrough v Plymouth Argyle
Rankings: 8th versus 24th
2024/25 Championship Head to Head
Saturday 21st December 2024: Plymouth Argyle 3 -3 Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough – Sitting three points under the Play-Off pack. Two successive defeats denting Boro’s chances of extending their season.
Plymouth Argyle – Embarking on a mammoth 380 mile journey. Two wins in three matches mean rock bottom Argyle are three points shy of survival.
They can take great heart in coming from behind to cement last Saturday’s 2-1 home triumph over promotion chasing Sheffield United.
Score prediction: Argyle away day joy 3-2.
Derby County v Luton Town
Rankings: 21st versus 23rd
2024/25 Championship Head to Head
Friday 20th December 2024: Luton Town 2-1 Derby County
Derby County – Holding a one point cushion on the drop zone prior to this desperate relegation battle. Derby have only lost once in seven engagements, drawing the past two.
Luton Town – Their five match mini-revival unbeaten stretch was ended by last Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 defeat against visitors Blackburn Rovers. So Luton are joint bottom and three points beneath upcoming opponents Derby County.
Score prediction: Tumbleweed blowing 0-0.
