Free betting tips: Preview for the Sky Bet Championship fixtures on May 5
With it being the final weekend of the Championship regular season, Tom Carnduff is backing two big-priced goalscorers.
Recommended bets
1pt e.w. Julian Jeanvier to score first in Brentford v Preston at 33/1
2pts Reece James to score anytime in Wigan v Millwall at 19/2
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Brentford v Preston
Brentford come into this one fresh and ready to go having seen their game away at Bolton postponed last week.
That contest was rearranged to be played next week, after the season was due to finish, but the EFL came out on Friday and said that the game has been scrapped and the Bees have been handed the points in a 1-0 win.
They should finish with another victory against a Preston side who have really dropped off towards the conclusion of the campaign.
Alex Neil's side looked like genuine play-off contenders following their strong form throughout the second-half of the season, they have lost three of their last four on the road though, conceding at least two goals on each occasion.
Brentford possess one of the best home records in the division, despite their current position in the table, and that will put them in a good position here. It should be a win with goals for the hosts.
With that in mind, I'm going to put up two of the same goalscorers I had last week given how both failed to play in the last round of fixtures. The first is Brentford defender Julian Jeanvier.
The centre-back has five goals across all competitions this season, which is impressive considering he was barely involved in the league during the first half of the campaign.
He struck in league draws with Norwich and Derby, both headers from corners, and we could see a repeat here as they look to finish the season in the best way possible.
The Bees should have a fairly high corner count as they are expected to be on the front foot throughout the contest. That will give Jeanvier opportunity to strike and capitalise on a Preston side who have had difficulties in defending set pieces.
Best bet: Julian Jeanvier to score first (e.w.) at 33/1
Opta facts
- Brentford have won four of their last five home league matches against Preston (W4 D1 L0) since losing 1-3 in September 2011 in League One.
- Preston haven’t completed a league double over Brentford since the 1988-89 campaign.
- Brentford have won nine of their last 11 home matches in all competitions (W9 D1 L1), winning each of the last two.
- Preston haven’t won away from home on the final day of a league season since May 2000 (2-0 vs Bristol City), losing eight of their last nine final day matches when they’ve been away from home (W0 D1 L8).
- Brentford have won 13 home league matches this season, their best return at this level since 1950-51 (also 13 home wins).
- The last five league matches between Brentford and Preston have produced 25 goals (14 for Brentford, 11 for Preston), an average of five per game.
Wigan v Millwall
Both sides are safe but this is a game that Wigan can secure victory in given their home advantage.
The Latics' storming month through April was enough to retain their Sky Bet Championship status for another season, with 17th the highest place that they can finish.
I quite like games with little riding on it because you can get some extra value. That applies to the outright market and the price on Wigan to win here, with the 6/5 a tad generous in my opinion given their efforts at the DW Stadium.
The hosts are now unbeaten in their last nine in front of their own supporters, while Millwall have won just one of their last six away.
There's a bigger price available on Reece James to score anytime though, as he did in their recent draw against champions-elect Norwich, and that's the headline bet.
The youngster is on-loan from Chelsea and has been one of the stars of the season in the Championship. Primarily playing at right-back, James has been moved into midfield recently and should again fill that position here.
His biggest impact comes from set-pieces. James has the ability to score from free-kicks and is a confident penalty taker, as we saw in that Norwich game.
James' time at the club has been more than impressive. So much so that Wigan boss Paul Cook has said that he will captain the team, alongside the likelihood that he will be taken off late into the game so that he can get a standing ovation.
"Reece will captain the team on Sunday and it’s likely that we’ll bring him off during the latter stages so that our supporters can give him the ovation he deserves," Cook said in his press conference.
A fitting end to his temporary time at the club would be with a goal. Along with the sentiment attached, he's demonstrated on more than one occasion this season why the 19/2 price is a bit too big.
Best bet: Reece James to score anytime in Wigan v Millwall at 19/2
Opta facts
- Since winning 2-0 in the FA Cup in April 2013, Wigan are winless in seven matches against Millwall, all in league competition (W0 D3 L4).
- Millwall haven’t lost away at Wigan in a league match since March 2005, when they were beaten 0-2 under Dennis Wise.
- Only Norwich and Swansea (10 games) are on a longer unbeaten home Championship run than Wigan (9 – W4 D5 L0).
- Millwall have won their final league match of the season in each of the last three campaigns.
- Wigan have drawn eight of their last 15 league matches, having drawn just five of their first 30 games this season.
- Wigan are winless in five home games in all competitions in the month of May since beating Wolves 3-2 on the final day of the Premier League in 2011-12.
Sporting Life Accumulator
Blackburn (to beat Swansea)
Swansea may sit higher in the table, but Blackburn are the side in-form heading into this one. They've won four of their last five, with the defeat coming against promoted Norwich. They take on a Swansea side who have lost seven of their eight on the road.
Brentford (to beat Preston)
The Bees have one of the best home records in the Championship despite their position in the table and are well equipped to win their penultimate game of the campaign. North End have lost their last three away from home, conceding at least two goals on each occasion.
Sheffield Wednesday (to beat QPR)
The Owls have seen an upturn in fortunes since Steve Bruce took charge and that includes their efforts at home. They have won three of their last four at Hillsborough and face a QPR side who have failed to win any of their eleven away games in 2019.
Wigan (to beat Millwall)
Both sides are safe but Wigan's home form has helped them retain their Championship status. Paul Cook's side are now unbeaten in their last nine in front of their own supporters, while Millwall have won just one of their last six away.
Odds correct at 1530 BST (03/05/19)