Resurgent Bolton to defeat injury-hit Brighton at the Reebok

8Mar 2013

England - The Championship

Brighton have been showing signs of clinching a play-off spot recently, but that may change after their forward line was hit with injuries and Jamie Dickenson is backing in-form Bolton to take full advantage by securing all three points at the Reebok in his early look at the Championship betting...

Bolton v Brighton

Saturday, 3pm

Bolton manager Dougie Freedman will send his side out against Brighton looking for their fifth Championship win in a row.

The relegated Premier League outfit have finally found some form in an otherwise testing campaign, and currently sit ninth in the table after beating troubled Blackburn in midweek. Four successive league victories will give the Trotters late hope of grabbing a play-off spot, which they are now just five points off. Brighton occupy that crucial sixth position, and Bolton could do themselves a big hand by beating the Seagulls on home soil, having already gained a point at the Amex Stadium last November. On-loan West Brom defender Craig Dawson has caught the eye for the Lancashire club recently, scoring four goals in as many games.

Brighton are on a good run of form themselves, going unbeaten in six encounters in the division but have been hit by a striker crisis. An achilles injury to Craig Mackail-Smith and knee ligament damage to Will Hoskins leaves boss Gus Poyet with just two options in attack, as the Seagulls stuttered to a goalless draw last time out against bottom club Bristol City. Argentinian forward Leonardo Ulloa did score a hat-trick recently during a win over Huddersfield, but the January signing may struggle with the extra responsibility placed on his shoulders until loan cover is secured.

Bolton have won their last four home games and look good value at 2.2 for another Reebok success, but given Brighton's stature and respectable form perhaps siding with the hosts in the Draw No Bet market would be wiser at 1.60.

Nottingham Forest v Wolves

Saturday, 3pm

Like Bolton, Forest are on a four-match winning streak and will hope to increase that run against lowly Wolves.

Fans favourite Billy Davies has had an instant impact at the City Ground since he replaced axed manager Alex McLeish, guiding the club to five matches unbeaten. Polish midfielder Radoslaw Majewski has arguably felt the boost of Davies' return to Forest the most in the squad, contributing five goals in his last four games having not scored previously during the entire season. The Nottingham outfit are currently seventh, just two points behind the play-off places in the Championship.

Wolves ended a spell of 13 games in all competitions without victory by defeating Millwall 2-0 on Tuesday night, and boss Dean Saunders will have been mightily relieved to get off the mark and push away from the relegation places. A trip to Forest appears difficult given the hosts form however, and that triumph could prove a false dawn for the beleaguered West Midlands club.

Forest's last three games have been won with the bonus of a clean sheet, and despite Wolves' recent victory Billy Davies' side are worth backing at 2.87 to Win To Nil.

Crystal Palace v Leeds

Saturday, 3pm

Crystal Palace's home form has become something for the Eagles fans to rely on, and another victory at Selhurst Park against Leeds looks in the offing.

Palace have suffered just one defeat on their own patch in 18 Championship outings, the least in the division. In midweek Hull became yet another victim to be dispatched from South London with nothing from 90 minutes against Ian Holloway's hosts, after they produced a thrilling 4-2 victory. Veteran striker Kevin Phillips hit a hat-trick to take his tally to five goals in seven since his loan switch from Blackpool, while Manchester United bound Wilfried Zaha made sure of the win by grabbing the fourth. Palace haven lost just once in seven league games and look good for a promotion charge.

Leeds may be unbeaten in four outings, but have not won a game away from home in five attempts. In fact, the Whites have triumphed on just three trips on the road in 18 in the Championship this season, and it would be no surprise if they left Selhurst Park empty handed at the weekend. Manager Neil Warnock has admitted he is likely to lose his job if the team aren't promoted, which although not impossible does appear unlikely. That pressure may not help against Palace, who are the hardest team in the league to beat on home soil.

While most of the time the Eagles win at home, they often do so despite conceding, having won their last four matches at Selhurst Park with both teams scoring. And as Leeds have notched in three of their last four outings, backing Both Teams To Score looks likely at 1.85.

Recommended Bets

Back Bolton to win at 2.20

Back Bolton in the Draw No Bet Market at 1.60

Back Nottingham Forest to win at 1.80

Back Nottingham Forest to Win To Nil at 2.87

Back Crystal Palace to win at 1.85

Back Both Teams To Score in Crystal Palace v Leeds at 1.85

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