Nick Hext is backing Leeds striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga in Sunday's trip to Sheffield Wednesday in the Sky Bet Championship.
Sunday's TV game
Pierre-Michel Lasogga is expected to return to Leeds' starting line-up for Sunday lunchtime's Yorkshire derby at Sheffield Wednesday. The German striker, on loan at Elland Road for the season from Hamburg, was surprisingly left on the bench for Tuesday night's 3-1 defeat at Cardiff. Boss Thomas Christiansen said it was a "tactical call" to leave Lasogga out against the Bluebirds and it would be a major surprise if the 25-year-old wasn't recalled. Lasogga has netted three goals in his first five Leeds matches, including the opener in wins over Burton and Ipswich. I like the look of the German to add to Wednesday's recent problems by opening the scoring at Hillsborough.
Home comforts
Ipswich to beat Bristol City, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1500 BST)
Ipswich's 5-2 win at home to Sunderland in midweek was a pleasing 17/10 success for this column. The Tractor Boys looked overpriced to get the three points against the Black Cats and they once again make appeal at a big price to get the better of Bristol City on Saturday afternoon. Ipswich can be backed at over 2/1 across the board to beat the Robins, who have impressed in recent weeks. Lee Johnson's side sit on the fringes of the Sky Bet Championship play-off places but Ipswich can already be found in the top six. The hosts should certainly be shorter for victory at Portman Road.
Bouncing back
Bradford to beat Doncaster, Sky Bet League One (Saturday, 1500 BST)
Bradford lost 3-0 at home to Fleetwood in midweek but I have to back the Bantams to bounce back with victory over Doncaster on Saturday afternoon. The loss against the Cod Army ended a seven-match unbeaten run for Stuart McCall's side, five wins and two draws in that stretch, and they find themselves right among the promotion contenders in fourth. Doncaster are struggling at the other end of the standings, sitting 18th after suffering five defeats in their previous six games. Bradford are an appealing price to bounce back at the first attempt and certainly come highly recommended.
Derby delight
Grimsby to beat Lincoln, Sky Bet League Two (Saturday, 1300 BST)
There's a Lincolnshire derby to enjoy on Saturday afternoon as Grimsby host Lincoln in an early kick-off at Blundell Park. The Imps are priced up as close to even-money favourites to get the three points but I reckon hosts Grimsby are worth of a bit of interest at around 12/5 for the victory. Russell Slade's side drew 2-2 at home to Colchester on Tuesday night and that result made it four games unbeaten on their own turf. Yeovil and Crewe were defeated in the Mariners' previous two home matches and Lincoln don't look appealing as such big favourites.
Friday's TV game
Friday night's live offering from Sky Sports is the Sky Bet Championship clash between QPR and Fulham at Loftus Road. Visitors Fulham are the 5/4 favourites to pick up the three points and I think they will get the job done. The Cottagers have lost only one of their six matches on the road so far this season and impressed in midweek with a 3-1 victory at Nottingham Forest. Slavisa Jokanovic's side pulled clear after the break after going in level at 1-1 at half time, the third time in a row that Fulham have been drawing after the opening 45 minutes. QPR have only won one of their previous six outings but I don't see this being a convincing success for the Cottagers. The Craven Cottage outfit will have to be at their best for the win and the way to find value is by going Draw/Fulham in the half-time/full-time market.
Saturday's TV game
Under 2.5 goals in Reading v Norwich, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1730 BST, Sky Sports Football)
Reading host Norwich on Saturday evening in a clash between two sides with aspirations to climb the Sky Bet Championship standings. The Royals' fine home record has come to a screeching halt in recent weeks with only one draw and two defeats in their last three outings at the Madejski Stadium. Jaap Stam's men also lost 2-1 at Millwall in midweek and that match was only the third time in 12 Reading contests this season that backing over 2.5 goals have come in. Norwich have also been involved in tight encounters in recent weeks, only three goals have been scored in the Canaries' previous five league games. Everything points to an encounter low on goals so don't tune in expecting a classic.
Recommended bet
4pts Bradford to beat Doncaster at 11/8
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Posted at 0910 BST on 29/09/17.
