EFL Championship Betting Tips: Who will come out on top on the final day?

The final day of the Championship season is here. The annual Leeds crumble has condemned them to the play-offs barring a miracle. Birmingham and Plymouth are battling for survival and host playoff-chasing Norwich and Hull respectively. Finally, Latte Lath is chasing his eighth goal in six appearances in a dead-rubber against Watford. 

Leeds vs Southampton

Kick Off: 12:30

As has become typical of Leeds United in recent years, they have crumbled at the crucial point in the season and now look destined for the play-offs. One win in their last five games has condemned them to third place. Leeds need to win and hope 23rd-placed Huddersfield can go to Portman Road and beat Ipswich.

Still, as they always do, the Elland Road faithful will turn up in their numbers and try to inspire the unlikely. This means there should be a boisterous atmosphere and the Whites will look to thrive off of this and start fast.

In their last five home games, Leeds have hit 6, 9, 3,6 and 6 first-half corners. Their season average for first-half corners in the match is 4.45. 

Southampton come into this game knowing they can’t finish higher or lower than fourth. However, with Leeds their potential play-off final opponents, Russell Martin will use this game as a way to assess Leeds and implement a potential game plan. It is unlikely he will rotate as he will want to head into the play-offs with momentum.

The Saints rank third in the league for first-half corners, with their matches seeing an average of 5.60 in the first 45. 

In what should be an entertaining affair between two attacking teams, don’t be surprised to see a fast start from both and plenty of corners. 

Prediction: Over 4.5 First Half Corners @ 1.70

Birmingham vs Norwich

Kick Off: 12:30

Embroiled in a dramatic relegation battle since the controversial dismissal of John Eustace back in October, Birmingham head into a crunch tie with Norwich knowing anything but a win (bar a heavy Plymouth defeat) will see them playing League One football for the first time in 30 years. 

Three games unbeaten would normally be a case for optimism for sides battling relegation, but that is certainly not the case for Birmingham. The Blues swept Coventry aside 3-0 but followed this up with consecutive sub-par draws against already relegated Rotherham and relegation-threatened Huddersfield. 

Due to the unfortunate ill-health of Tony Mowbray, Gary Rowett has taken the reigns at St Andrews and is tasked with steering the Blues to safety.

At the other end of the table, Norwich know a point is enough for playoffs, although barring a catastrophic defeat, they should qualify for the top six. The Canaries currently sit fifth in the league, three points clear of seventh place Hull. However, David Wagner will be keen to ensure his side finish in fifth to avoid Leeds or Ipswich in the Playoff semi-finals. 

As this is such a big occasion for both sides, we should expect a spikey atmosphere. Birmingham’s last five games have each seen at least four cards, with the pressure of battling relegation leading to a feistier game. On average this season, Birmingham games have averaged 4.09 cards, with the Blues picking up 2.20 cards per game and drawing 1.89. 

Norwich games average just under four cards a game, with the Canaries drawing 2.20 cards per game and receiving. 

In what is a monumental game for both, don’t be surprised to see tempers flare up, particularly late in the match.

Prediction: Over 3.5 cards @ 1.75

Plymouth vs Hull

Kick Off: 12:30

Like the game at St Andrews, this is a game with massive permutations at both ends of the table. Plymouth are languishing just one point and one place above the drop zone, knowing a win keeps them safe. A battling 1-0 victory over champions Leicester in April looked like it had all but kept the Pilgrims up. 

However, back-to-back away losses at Stoke and Millwall have thrown Neil Dewsnip’s side right back into a relegation battle. While all Plymouth have to do is equal Birmingham’s result to be safe, they will be looking for the win to ensure they do not have to rely on other teams. 

A three-game losing streak coupled with a six-game unbeaten run for Hull has meant the race for the play-off’s heads into the final game. West Brom head into their clash with Preston knowing a point is enough for the playoffs, but the Tigers will be ready to pounce. 

Liam Rosenior’s side are two points but 11 goal difference behind the Baggies, while also sitting three points and seven points behind Norwich. Therefore, a heavy Norwich defeat and a big Hull win could see Hull leapfrog the Canaries.

Therefore, Hull will be attacking from minute one, leading to an enthralling game in Devon. 

Plymouth games are averaging a league-high 12.44 corners per game, with the Pilgrims getting 5.33 corners and conceding 7.11 per 90. The Pilgrims’ last few games have been end-to-end, seeing 18, 10, 13, 14, 13, 15 and 16 corners. 

Hull games average 10.44 corners per game, with the Tigers getting 5.51 corners per game and conceding 4.93. Their last two games saw 14 and 12 corners, against Ipswich (chasing promotion) and Coventry (chasing playoffs).

With both teams ideally needing a win, it should lead to a frantic affair with plenty of corners at both ends. 

Prediction: Over 11.5 corners @ 2.00

Middlesbrough vs Watford

Kick Off: 12:30

Middlesbrough sit eighth and Watford sit 14th, with this game a dead rubber.

Despite this, Emmanuel Latte Lath should start as he looks to continue his remarkable run of form. The 25-year-old has scored in five consecutive games, also scoring braces against Leeds and Swansea. 

From 22 starts, the Ivorian has scored 15 goals for Boro, with his two in the EFL cup taking his tally up to 17 goals – his current career-best tally. He has been extremely clinical, scoring 0.67 goals per 90 from a 0.51 xG per 90. Latte Lath is also a keen shooter, seeing 3.15 shots and 1.80 shots on target per 90. 

Against a Watford side who have conceded 58 goals and have nothing to play for, Latte Lath should get plenty of opportunities to add to his already impressive goal tally in his debut season in English football.

Prediction: Emmanuel Latte-Lath to score @ 2.38

Recommended Bets:

Back Over 4.5 First Half corners in Leeds vs Southampton @ 1.70
Back over 3.5 Cards in Birmingham vs Norwich @ 1.75
Back Over 11.5 corners in Plymouth vs Hull @ 2.00
Back Emmanuel Latte Lath To Score in Middlesbrough vs Watford @ 2.38