Super 6 tips: Match predictions for Sky Sports picks this weekend
Burnley welcome Brighton to Turf Moor in what promises to be a cagey, low-scoring scrap for crucial points as both bid to banish any looming relegation fears.
Elsewhere, out-of-form Southampton visit Newcastle looking for a swift response to their 9-0 trouncing at Old Trafford in midweek.
In the second tier, Bournemouth begin a new post-Jason Tindall era, while high-flying Brentford head to Middlesbrough. QPR host Blackburn and there is an intriguing encounter between Reading and Stoke.
Here, we pick through Sky Sports’ chosen matches and offer you tips and predictions based on the latest Opta data.
Burnley 0-1 Brighton
Burnley have scored the fewest goals of any club in the Premier League this season and four of their six victories have come by a 1-0 margin. The Seagulls prefer to play on the road and are in fine form having pulled themselves away from relegation trouble with three wins and a draw in their last four (four clean sheets). Graham Potter’s side have also lost just one match from 10 against sides currently in the bottom half. Brighton to win 1-0 is 5/1 with Sky Bet.
Newcastle 1-1 Southampton
A trip to St James’ Park could be just the tonic for a Saints side bidding to avoid a fifth straight defeat. They have scored one and shipped 15 in those four losses, but visit a Newcastle side rooted to the bottom of the form table with just one win in 11. Since their win over Sheffield United on December 13, Southampton have averaged 0.44 goals scored per match (2.18 per match in the 12 games before then). A draw and both teams to score is 100/30 with Sky Bet.
Bournemouth 2-0 Birmingham
Jonathan Woodgate has been placed in temporary charge at the Vitality Stadium after a run of five defeats in seven did for Jason Tindall. The Cherries remain among the top scorers in the Championship this season but have averaged just 0.62 goals per 90 in their last eight fixtures. Meanwhile, Birmingham have picked up 19 of their 28 points away from home but their recent record is hardly imposing and you can expect a new face in the dugout to provide a shot in the arm for Bournemouth. Bournemouth to win 2-0 is 6/1 with Sky Bet.
Middlesbrough 0-1 Brentford
Brentford are absolutely flying and look destined for the Premier League. No team has picked up more points since the start of December and remarkably they are unbeaten in nine fixtures against the current top nine sides. The Bees haven’t lost in 19 and face a Boro side who are going through a bit of a wobble – picking up one point from their last three matches. However, Middlesbrough have one of the tightest defences in the division and average a decent 1.77 points per home game this term. Brentford to win 1-0 is 11/2 with Sky Bet.
QPR 1-3 Blackburn
The Hoops are edging away from the Championship trap door after three successive away victories. However, they have one of the worst home records in the league and have not beaten anyone currently higher than 16th at Loftus Road this term. Add to that the fact only Brentford have a better attack than Blackburn this season and it is starting to stack up against Mark Warburton’s side. Both teams to score and Blackburn to win is a price boost 9/2 with Sky Bet.
Stoke 2-2 Reading
Stoke have drawn five of their last seven but welcome Reading with their play-off hopes still very much in tact. Only four Championship sides have lost fewer matches than the Potters this season but Saturday’s visitors Reading are unbeaten in six (winning four) and look 10 times the team who lost 0-3 at home to Stoke earlier in the season. The Royals tend to ship more goals on the road and Stoke will not be overawed against a form side at the Bet 365 Stadium, just as Brentford. A 2-2 draw is 14/1 with Sky Bet.
Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ Only. UK only. Terms and Conditions Apply. BeGambleAware.
