Meanwhile, table toppers Sheffield United head to Nottingham Forest and Leeds visit Wigan Athletic
The 16th round of matches in the EFL Championship – English football’s second tier – gets underway with Aston Villa desperately looking to get back to winning ways when Bolton Wanderers head to Villa Park. In the race to reach the FA Premier League, Sheffield United will look to extend their lead at the top of the table, while Leeds United travel to take on Wigan Athletic.
First things first
Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the EFL Championship campaign heating up, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.
Where should I be investing my money?
First up, Aston Villa will look to get their league campaign back on track when Bolton Wanderers are the visitors to Villa Park on Friday night (2 November). Villa have slumped down to 17th in the standings after two losses in a row and a dreadful run which has seen the side win just one of their last seven games.
They come up against a side who are also struggling for form however. Bolton are down in 19th, just four points above the relegation zone and without a win in their last five league outings – Bolton are at just 1.72 to suffer relegation to the third tier.
And with regards to this match, Aston Villa are the clear favourites to take all three points. You can back the home side to pick up a much needed win at just 1.45, while Bolton are all the way out at 8.00 to do the same – a draw is priced in the middle at 4.75, according to Oddsshark.
A comfortable, 2-0 win for Villa is priced at 6.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$32.50 pay out. In addition, you could double your money by backing under 2.5 goals in the game at 2.00.
Sheffield United head to Nottingham Forest as leaders
On the Saturday afternoon, Championship leaders Sheffield United head to Nottingham Forest looking to add to their advantage at the top of the table. Both sides are in good form having lost just one of their last six games, and this looks like being the tie of the round.
And one thing we are expecting here is goals, with two inconsistent back lines on display. Forest and United re currently leaking goals at a rate of over a goal a game, which means we could be in for some entertainment.
Top of the league, visitors Sheffield United come into this match as the favourites to pick up another win. You can more than double your money by backing the away side to collect three points at a price of 2.30, while Forest, despite home advantage, are out at 3.10 to snatch victory – a draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at 3.25.
A 2-1 win for United is priced competitively at 9.50, offering close to a ten-fold return on any investment. You could also more than quadruple your money by selecting a combo bet of a Sheffield United win coupled with both teams to score, which comes in at 4.50.
Wigan to take advantage of Leeds stuttering form
And finally, Leeds United head to the DW Stadium on Sunday to take on Wigan Athletic. Leeds were the early season pace setters but have since won just one of their last four league outings, dropping down to second place, although they are still the favourites to win promotion to the Premier League at a price of 2.25.
And while Wigan have been dreadful on the road, losing their last six away matches in a row, their home form has been excellent. The Latics are unbeaten in their last 14 matches played on their own turf.
Despite that record, it is visitors Leeds who come into this match as the favourites to take the points. You can more than double your money by backing the Yorkshire club to win at a price of 2.20 while Wigan, despite that impressive home record, are at 3.20 to pick up the win – a draw is slightly higher, at 3.40.
A narrow, 1-0 win for Wigan is priced at 11.00, thereby offering more than a ten-fold return on any investment. In addition, you could more than double your money by backing a “No” to both teams scoring at 2.10.
EFL Championship round 16 fixtures:
Friday, 2 September
(1.45) Aston Villa x Bolton Wanderers (8.00); draw (4.75)
Saturday, 3 November
(2.37) Blackburn Rovers x QPR (3.00); draw (3.30)
(1.83) Brentford x Millwall (4.33); draw (3.50)
(2.00) Derby County x Birmingham City (3.80); draw (3.30)
(3.25) Hull City x West Bromwich Albion (2.15); draw (3.40)
(3.40) Ipswich Town x Preston North End (2.15); draw (3.30)
(3.10) Nottingham Forest x Sheffield United (2.30); draw (3.25)
(3.30) Reading x Bristol City (2.20); draw (3.30)
(3.40) Rotherham United x Swansea City (2.10); draw (3.40)
(3.10) Sheffield Wednesday x Norwich City (2.30); draw (3.20)
(2.35) Stoke City x Middlesbrough (3.00); draw (3.30)
Sunday, 4 November
(3.20) Wigan Athletic x Leeds United (2.20); draw (3.40)