Easter weekend set to be crucial with four games live on Sky Sports
Friday 3 April 2015 12:46, UK
The Easter weekend looks set to have a crucial say at the top and bottom of the Sky Bet Football League, with double-headers for all involved.
Just eight points currently separate the top eight in the Championship as Bournemouth, who have collected 13 points from the last 15 available, lead the way, while Wolves are closing in on the play-offs thanks to back-to-back wins.
At the other end of the table, Wigan and Millwall are both in desperate need of upturns in form as they sit five and seven points adrift of safety but face tough fixtures, while basement side Blackpool can be relegated if results go against them.
Bournemouth will be looking to overcome the toughest of the remaining hurdles in their path towards the Sky Bet Championship title, with Ipswich their only remaining top-eight opponents. The Cherries have arguably the most favourable run-in and boast the league’s best form, winning four of their last five. For the Tractor Boys, Friday represents a chance to record back-to-back wins over league leaders, having overcome Watford before the international break.
Opta stat: Brett Pitman has scored six goals in his last four games for Bournemouth, while Callum Wilson has won nine penalties in the Championship this season, five more than any other player.
Sky Bet odds: Ipswich 9/5, Draw 23/10, Bournemouth 7/5
Derby have slipped off the automatic promotion pace in recent weeks with a six-match winless run, but Steve McClaren’s men can cut the gap between themselves and the second-placed Hornets to two points with a win. Leading scorer Chris Martin is back in training for the Rams and Darren Bent is also available, while Watford will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Ipswich, especially with fellow contenders Middlesborough to follow on Monday.
Opta stat: Watford have claimed the fewest number of points against teams currently in the top 8 (9), winning just twice (D3 L7).
Sky Bet odds: Derby 21/20, Draw 5/2, Watford 23/10
Middlesbrough v Wigan Athletic (Good Friday, 3pm)
This one has connotations at the top and the bottom of the table, with Boro pushing for the automatic promotion spots and the Latics scrapping hard for survival. Aitor Karanka's men were humbled by Bournemouth before the international break but their home form could play into their hands against 22nd-placed Wigan, who desperately need a win to close the five-point gap on Rotherham above them.
Opta stat: Middlesbrough have scored as many goals in the second half of games this season as Wigan have registered in total (35).
Sky Bet odds: Middlesbrough 8/15, Draw 14/5, Wigan 11/2
Bolton v Blackpool (Saturday, 3pm)
It's a key period at the foot of the Championship table as well, and Blackpool could see their drop to League One confirmed this weekend if results don't go their way. The Tangerines are 17 points from safety with seven games remaining. If Rotherham win at Birmingham on Friday, Lee Clark's men know anything but victory over Bolton will see them consigned to the third tier.
Opta stat: Blackpool have won only one of their last 35 away games (D10 L24), keeping just three clean sheets in the process.
Sky Bet odds: Bolton 4/7, Draw 14/5, Blackpool 9/2
There are some big games at both ends of the table this weekend, with second-placed Preston taking on play-off hopefuls Rochdale on Friday, before Swindon host MK Dons in the battle of third against fourth on Saturday afternoon, live on Sky Sports 1 from 12.15pm. The battle for survival continues at the other end, meanwhile, as Crawley travel to Crewe looking to leapfrog their opponents and move out of the bottom four.
Promotion odds: Bristol City 1/200, Preston 1/4, Swindon 5/4, MK Dons 7/4, Sheffield Utd 11/4
The top three of Burton, Shrewsbury and Wycombe could all potentially guarantee themselves at least a play-off place on Good Friday if results go their way. They take on Plymouth, Dagenham & Redbridge and Oxford respectively as they continue to fight for top spot. At the foot of the table, basement club Cheltenham travel to fellow strugglers York, Tranmere visit Stevenage and Ronnie Moore's resurgent Hartlepool look for their fifth-straight win when they face Newport.
Title odds: Burton 4/5, Shrewsbury 2/1, Wycombe 9/2, Bury 28/1
The Football League sponsor have priced up the most likely top-two finish in the Championship, calculating that Bournemouth first and Middlesbrough second is the most probable outcome, with odds of 9/2.
They also make Derby 100/30 favourites to win the play-offs as things stand, while they struggle to see past Blackpool, Millwall and Wigan all going down, with odds of 30/100 in their relegation treble market. The title being decided on goal difference is deemed a realistic prospect with odds of 4/1.
Watch the Championship this Easter for £10.99 or visit www.nowtv.com if you're reading on a mobile device.
