Home Heroes: Bolton, Burnley and Hull offer a tasty Championship treble
Still fuming after being denied by a late James Vaughan strike before the international break, Lee Calver returns with another trio of teams who look set to win on their own patches.
Reading back over the last ‘Home Heroes’ column I produced, I realise that questioning my decision to pick Ipswich Town before the fixture had even taken place was the ultimate downfall. As a result, it is with commanding confidence that I am tipping Bolton Wanderers, Burnley and Hull City to record victories over Watford, Peterborough United and Millwall respectively this weekend.
Following a week of international duties or simply putting their feet up, the stars of the Championship will be eager to get back to club football and I am certain that my three sides will be on fire in the first set of matches back.
I do not take kindly to losing a bet in the manner we did last time out – the Tractors Boys conceded a late equaliser against Huddersfield to deny me a 13/2 triumph – so my studying and tipping skills have been put to full use this week with these selections.
New customers who sign up for a bwin account can claim a free £20 bet and using this on my treble will result in winnings of £137.52 if (or should I say when?) the picks prove successful.
| Confederation Cup - Group B | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 0-1 | Uruguay | £135.00 | (23/4) |
| Nigeria | 1-1 | Uruguay | £140.00 | (6/1) |
| Nigeria | 0-2 | Uruguay | £155.00 | (27/4) |
| Nigeria win | £94.00 | (37/10) | ||
| Draw | £74.00 | (27/10) | ||
| Uruguay win | £34.00 | (7/10) | ||
Bolton to beat Watford @ 91/100
Owen Coyle’s men have not adjusted particularly well to life back in the second tier of English football for the first time in 12 seasons, but a home fixture against a hit-and-miss Watford side should see them revert back to winning ways as they look to kick-start their campaign.
Bolton have only won one of their four league fixtures thus far, but they are still undefeated at the Reebok Stadium. A 2-0 success over Derby County was followed up with a 2-2 draw against the fresh-looking Nottingham Forest, so despite their struggle to find consistent form, the Trotters will be confident of beating the Hornets on Saturday afternoon.
If Bolton’s current form appears inconsistent, then I would not know how to go about describing Gianfranco Zola’s side’s predicament. Having defeated one of the pre-season favourites for the title in Birmingham City, they then travelled to Derby and were thumped 5-1. The Italian maestro will be determined to turn around the club’s fortunes, but luckily for us I cannot see it starting this weekend, so expect Bolton to get the ball rolling for our treble.
Burnley to beat Peterborough @ 4/5
By far the easiest selection of the weekend. Posh are yet to register a point and look in complete disarray at the start of the new season, so Burnley will surely make the most of a home fixture against the bottom-of-the-league side and claim all three points.
Although Eddie Howe’s men have exactly not started like a steam train, they have at least managed to record one victory (which is more than can be said for Peterborough) and it was a credible one at that. A 2-0 opening-day win against relegated Bolton was the perfect start for the Clarets, but they have not been able to build on that success yet. However, that should change at the weekend when they put a few past Darren Ferguson’s boys and help us on our way to cashing in.
Hull to beat Millwall @ Evens
Steve Bruce has gone a long way to steadying the wayward ship at Hull in the first few months since his appointment and a superb start to the Championship season has the fans believing they could make a return to the Premier League after two long years back in the Championship.
A 100% record at the KC Stadium was the perfect way to get the locals onside and once they have three wins on the bounce at home after Saturday’s clash with Millwall, the Tigers will be sitting pretty near the top of the table.
Impressive victories over Brighton & Hove Albion and Bolton have ensured confidence is at an all-time high and Millwall will not be able to halt their charge at the weekend. Kenny Jackett’s side have beaten Peterborough on the road, but let’s face it, everyone is doing that currently, so take that result with a pinch of salt when considering your bets.
Instead, focus on the fact that a 3-2 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday was their most recent away-day outcome and put your faith in Hull to do the business, just like they did last year when the Lions came to town.
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