CHAMPIONSHIP BETTING PREVIEW – GAMEWEEK 46

BURNLEY v CARDIFF CITY, ALL MATCHES KICK-OFF MONDAY 3PM

When German brothers Torsten and Jörg Stenzel remixed Chris Rea’s ‘On The Beach’ I doubt the dance duo expected it to be the intro for a Championship betting preview 24 years later, but the electronic anthem is the ideal soundtrack for a weekend where Burnley will be counting down the seconds until the final whistle.

The Clarets have been ‘on the beach’ for a while now but a win on Monday, priced at 3/10, would see Vincent Kompany’s side break through the 100-point barrier. Cardiff haven’t beaten Burnley since 2012 and are 17/2 to break their duck whilst a repeat of the draw between the two back in October can be backed at 17/4.

PRESTON NORTH END v SUNDERLAND

Sunderland are the first of two partner clubs to have a chance at the play-offs and the Black Cats are 19/20 to win against a Preston side who have seen their season tail off, with manager Ryan Lowe at one point considering his future. PNE were hammered 4-1 by Sheffield United last week and they are 3/1 to win in a match that could well see goals.

You can back over 2.5 goals at 5/6 whilst both sides to score (landing in Sunderland’s last four matches and four of Preston’s last five) is available to back at 8/11. Sunderland conjured some magic on the final day of last season and if you fancy Tony Mowbray’s side to repeat the trick, they are 7/4 to make the play-offs.

SWANSEA CITY v WEST BROMWICH ALBION

West Brom are another side looking to gatecrash the top six, but thanks to an inferior goal difference are a bigger price at 5/1 to extend their season. To do so they will need to take care of Swansea and hope other results go their way and the Baggies are 23/20 to bag three points on Monday.

The Swans have nothing to play for but a strong end to the season has seen them fly up the table and they could finish above West Brom if they get a win at 27/10. The Baggies have left it too late to put some form together after a slow start to the season, but they will no doubt give it a go in South Wales with over 1.5 West Brom goals at 10/11.

NORWICH CITY v BLACKPOOL

After a disappointing season, Norwich are another side whose mind will be on their summer holidays but the seaside is coming to them this bank holiday as relegated Blackpool wash up in East Anglia.

The Canaries have been too inconsistent to really challenge but at 40/85, they should have enough about them to see off the visitors who are 24/5 to bow out of the Championship with a win. The draw can be backed at 18/5 with our Total Goals spread currently at 2.85-3.05.

HUDDERSFIELD v READING

Harry Houdini performed escape acts until he was 52. Never one to be outdone, Neil Warnock is still performing escape acts and other Championship-related acts of magic at the age of 74 after guiding Huddersfield Town to safety with a game to spare at the expense of Monday’s opponents Reading.

He isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but Warnock has worked wonders at a Town side who were floundering in February and Town are even money to beat the Royals on the weekend of the coronation.

Were it not for the six-point deduction, Reading would be heading into the weekend looking likely to enjoy/endure (delete as applicable) another season in the second tier, as it is they are sunk and a win at 13/5 on Monday would be for pride alone.

Five of the Berkshire outfit’s last eight matches have ended 1-1 and a repeat of that is 11/2 whilst the pair are 13/5 to share the spoils in West Yorkshire.