With two games remaining Newcastle finally confirmed their return to the Premier League on Monday night. Leeds’ poor form saw them drop out of the play-off places, where four teams are divided by just six points and battling for the three remaining places after Huddersfield confirmed their place on Tuesday night. Seven teams are still at risk of joining Rotherham in League One next season, although realistically Bristol City and Burton have probably done enough to stay up. With several clubs not having anything to play for I’m concentrating on those that have the incentive to win at green listed bookmakers.
Fulham v Brentford
In-form Fulham needs one win from their last two to ensure a play-off place. With five wins from their last six they currently occupy the final play-off spot, three points ahead of stuttering Leeds. With just three points separating them from fourth-placed Reading, they’re hitting form just at the right time.
Brentford are another team in good form (W4 D1 L1) and this has seen them rise to ninth. They’re averaging around two goals a game and will be full of confidence coming into this West London derby knowing all the pressure is on Fulham. I’m avoiding the outrights as this game has the potential to be high scoring and could go either way. Both teams to score has been strong for Brentford on the road this season (all of their last six have seen both teams scoring). The same goes for Fulham at home (all of their last six have seen both teams scoring, with five going over 2.5). Given that both teams score and concede for fun I’m taking Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals at 1.72 with Bet365.
Reading v Wigan Athletic
The Royals need just one point from their last two games to guarantee a play-off spot. With a tricky tie away at Burton coming up, they’ll see this fixture as a ‘must win’ so they can relax and prepare for the play-offs.
The Latics have endured a woeful season and must win both their remaining games knowing that even this might not be enough to beat the drop. Whilst they don’t get beaten by large margins they struggle to score goals and this has been their Achilles heel all season. Reading have the second best home record in the EFL Championship (W15 D5 L2) and the best current home form (W5 D1 L0), whilst Wigan have lost five of their last six on the road. Therefore I see value in backing the home win at 1.91 with William Hill.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Bristol City
Whilst the Seagulls can afford to relax to a certain extent knowing they’ll be playing Premier League football next season, with Newcastle breathing down their necks they need three points to ensure they’re promoted as champions. Their final game is away at Aston Villa, so they’ll want to wrap things up here with a big win to really get the promotion party going.
After a good start The Robins have endured a difficult season. Nevertheless four wins from their last four at home has seen them move away from the drop zone. As things stand they’re virtually guaranteed to stay up now (barring a miracle). With only three wins on the road this season (W3 D5 L14) they’re the lowest scorers away from home with just fourteen goals, whereas Brighton are the best team in the league with the best home record (W17 D3 L2). They’ll be desperate to win the EFL Championship title in style so I see value in backing Brighton -1 Asian Handicap at 2.06 with BetVictor.
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