EFL Championship Betting Tips: Goals galore at Portman Road

The second full slate of Championship fixtures over the long weekend features a blockbuster clash between high-flyers Ipswich and Southampton...

Leicester vs Norwich

Monday 1st April
Kick Off: 12:30pm

Leicester once again kick off the day’s action as they host to play-off hopefuls Norwich City. 

The Foxes have endured a bit of a wobble over their last six league games, winning just once and losing four times. With FFP-related punishments looming over Leicester’s head, as well as stuttering form, it is a tetchy time to be a Leicester fan.

Despite still being favourites for promotion, there is a hint of tension in the air at King Power, with boss Enzo Maresca recently taking swipes at sections of his fanbase after coming in for criticism for his playing style. If Norwich can frustrate the Foxes early, we may see a restless home crowd – especially if results go against the hosts on the weekend.

The Canaries are in the midst of a purple patch themselves and are currently the Championship’s joint second-most in-form team in 2024, losing just two of their last thirteen games. These defeats came in the form of a 1-0 loss at Leeds and a 3-1 loss at Middlesbrough in which Norwich played an hour with ten men. Daniel Wagner’s side arrive on the back of 5-0, 0-3 and 2-1 wins so will obviously be full of confidence.

We could see another shock result on Monday if Leicester do succumb to the pressure on their shoulders and Norwich look a tempting price to overcome the title favourites. 

Prediction: Norwich to win @ 4.80

Ipswich vs Southampton

Monday 1st April
Kick Off: 5.30pm

Undoubtedly the game of the Easter weekend comes from Suffolk as now league leaders Ipswich host fourth-place Southampton.

Ipswich are currently just one point in front of Leeds in the table with seven games to play, so will need to keep the pressure on. With Leeds not playing until after the conclusion of this game, Kieran Mckenna’s side have the potential to put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.

The Tractor Boys are the league’s top scorers with 81 goals in just 39. However, this attacking mentality has had its drawbacks defensively, with only bitter rivals Norwich conceding more goals of those in the top eight. Eight of Ipswich’s last ten games have seen over 2.5 goals, except a 2-0 win at a Plymouth side who have drawn stumps in five of their last seven games and a closely fought 1-0 victory over Blackburn last time out.

A league-high 16/19 games at Portman Road have seen over 2.5 goals, with 14 of these seeing both teams score.

They host a Southampton side who are ten points behind them, albeit with the luxury of two games in hand. Despite a 22-game unbeaten streak, The Saints have struggled to properly challenge the top two yet. A mini wobble that saw them lose three games from four seems to have been arrested with back-to-back wins against Birmingham and Sunderland along with a decent point against Middlesbrough.

Russell Martin’s side are the third top scorers in the league with 74 goals. However, like their opponents, they’ve struggled defensively, conceding 48 goals and have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven.

Of these seven games, six have seen over 2.5 goals, with the 2-0 win at West Brom the only exception. 3-5, 3-4 and 4-2 wins in recent weeks show just how entertaining Southampton games have been.

23/36 of Southampton games have seen over 2.5 goals, ranking them third for this metric. With two promotion hopefuls desperate to keep the pressure on the top two, expect a relentless end-to-end game.

Prediction: Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.91

Leeds vs Hull

Monday 1st April
Kick Off: 8pm

The final game of a busy Easter schedule sees Leeds host Hull at Elland Road. 

Earlier this weekend I lauded Leeds for their defensive displays, with Daniel Farke’s side only conceding three goals in thirteen games. Due to their resolute defence, Leeds games have become lower-scoring affairs than what we have become accustomed to. 

Prior to their 2-2 draw against Watford, five of their last six games had seen less than three goals, with the Whites keeping four clean sheets in these games. With Leeds pushing for automatic promotion and Hull chasing the playoffs, it could make for a nervy affair in front of the TV cameras; and the visitors will be keen to tighten up following a 2-0 defeat to Stoke on Friday.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.81

Recommended Bets

Back Norwich to win (Leicester vs Norwich) @ 4.80
Back Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals (Ipswich vs Southampton) @ 1.91
Back Under 2.5 goals (Leeds vs Hull) @ 1.81