EFL Acca: Can Hull get their first away win against depleted Blackpool?

The Championship’s midweek slate continues on Wednesday, which means more picks and tips from EFL expert Jack Goddard. Read on to find some value bets with his Championship predictions.

QPR v Cardiff

Kick-off: 7.45pm Wednesday

QPR missed the chance to go top at the weekend, when they lost 3-1 to Luton at Kenilworth Road for their first defeat since early September.

Nonetheless, Rangers’ form before their surprise loss shouldn’t be ignored. Michael Beale’s side had won four of their last five games prior to Saturday, which included victories against Sheffield United and Reading, both of whom currently possess a top-six spot along with the Super Hoops prior to Tuesday’s fixtures.

Cardiff have had a topsy-turvy start to the season. They have picked up points against Burnley and Blackburn of late, but they have still lost four of their seven away games so far. QPR, meanwhile, have only lost once at Loftus Road this term. I fancy their quality to show as their bid for automatic promotion continues.

Prediction: QPR to win @ 2.22

Blackpool v Hull

Kick-off: 7.45pm Wednesday

Blackpool are probably still recovering from their weekend exploits, when they took a point off previous table toppers Sheffield United in a 3-3 draw. The result really only tells half the story, though, as the Tangerines also conspired to have three men sent off (one after the final whistle), which included two of their back four.

Michael Appleton’s side battled hard to get a point with nine men for the last 20 minutes or so of the game on Saturday, but the remaining eight players from the starting line-up will likely still be recovering. Appleton told Blackpool’s social media on Tuesday: ‘We’ll put out as strong as possible an eleven as we can do.’ 

Hull haven’t won away from home all season, but they are never going to get a better chance than this. Their away form is embarrassingly dire, however - they have lost all of their last four games. 

Nevertheless, I would expect the league’s joint-top scorer Óscar Estupiñán to cause Blackpool - who have lost half their home games so far - some problems here, but you should probably give yourself a contingency.

Prediction: Draw no bet - Hull to win @ 2.7

Wigan v Middlesbrough

Kick-off: 7.45pm Wednesday

Wigan have the best away record in the Championship, so it must be incredibly frustrating for manager Leam Richardson that his side also possess the second-worst home record. If the Latics could sort out their form at the DW Stadium, they would have a chance of making a serious play-off challenge.

Wednesday night would be a great time to start a good run of home results, as Middlesbrough - who are still managerless - travel to the North West with just one point from their six away matches.

The Teesiders have also failed to score in three of their previous four away games, while Wigan have found the net in 12 of their last 13 matches. It seems almost a certainty, therefore, that the Latics will score at some point. Are Boro, who last scored an away goal on August 30, likely to score in the same half? I seriously doubt it.

Prediction: Wigan to win either half @ 1.96

Millwall v Watford

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

Slaven Bilić’s tenure at Watford has been quite the rollercoaster and, had they not beaten Norwich on Saturday night, I might even be questioning whether his job was already in jeopardy.

However, the Croat now has two wins and two losses as the Hornets’ boss, with a 4-0 win at Stoke and the 2-1 defeat of the Canaries bookending defeats against Swansea and Blackpool.

It’s hard to know what version of Watford will turn up at the Den, but what is undeniable is the strength of Millwall’s home form. No team is averaging more points per game on their own ground than the Lions (2.14 per game), who have now won their last two matches.

Meanwhile, Watford have won just one away game so far this season - the aforementioned battering of Stoke. Considering they have since lost to a Blackpool side who are struggling at home, it seems unlikely that Bilić has permanently turned around his side’s fortunes on the road yet.

Prediction: Millwall to win @ 2.66

Championship predictions

Queens Park Rangers v Cardiff City: QPR to win @ 2.22
Blackpool v Hull City: Draw no bet - Hull to win @ 2.7
Wigan Athletic v Middlesbrough: Wigan to win either half @ 1.96
Millwall v Watford: Millwall to win @ 2.66

Accumulator odds: 31.25 decimal, 30.25-1 fractional