Championship Treble

Wednesday night sees two matches between sides with perfect starts to the season. Cardiff host Brighton and Derby travel to Blackpool with all four sides sat on six points after two games in the Championship. Millwall have taken four points so far but they should be too strong for a Peterborough side who will struggle away from London Road.

I’m backing Cardiff and Brighton to share the spoils in Wales at odds of 13/5. The Seagulls may wonder how they have taken maximum points so far. They won their opener courtesy of a 97th winner and triumphed at Portsmouth after the hosts missed a last-minute penalty.  The Bluebirds were equally fortunate to scramble victory at Upton Park against the run of play but then won convincingly at home to Bristol City on Saturday.

Cardiff are strong favourites with the bookies due to home advantage, but I think there is little between the sides and that the draw is over-priced and most likely. Both teams would be content with seven points and unbeaten starts following this evening and that’s how I see it finishing.

Blackpool, on the other hand, should be too strong for a Derby County side who have exceeded expectations with their start. The Tangerines look like they have done a fine job of replacing their two biggest departing stars. Kevin Phillips has come in for DJ Campbell and immediately found his feet, bagging a brace at the weekend. Barry Ferguson could be an inspired replacement for Charlie Adam at this level. The Rams may have won at struggling Watford but they don’t get three points on the road very often and this is a much sterner test.

Millwall are simply too strong in front of their own fans to be overly troubled by Peterborough. A 9th place finish last term was built around making the New Den a fortress. Posh lost at Blackpool on Saturday and they will quickly learn how hard it is to collect points on away days in the Championship.

Back Millwall and Blackpool to win, with Cardiff-Brighton to draw at best combined odds of 11/1 with VictorChandler.