EFL Championship Matchday 17 Odds & Picks: Solanke to Bolster Bournemouth Over Swansea

• After 16 games, the EFL Championship is really starting to take shape with relegated sides Norwich City and Bournemouth leading the way on 31 and 30 points, respectively
• As we get closer to the holidays, the schedule will pick up and this week we are in store for 12 games between Tuesday and Wednesday
• The featured game of the game week is between the second place Cherries and Swansea as the Jacks look to climb the top four

The EFL Championship is entering its second trimester on Matchday 17 this week. The Championship table is truly closer than ever, as eight teams sit within just four points of one another. Hence, this holiday slate of games will be extremely important to any side who wants to enter the Promotional Playoff race. Norwich and Bournemouth are on top for now, but by this weekend the table could have completely made a shift depending on Tuesday and Wednesday’s fixtures.

Bournemouth and Swansea is the match most neutrals are excited to watch, and for good reason. The Cherries have the best offense in the Championship, already with a tally of 29 goals, going against an astute defense led by Ben Cabango. Elsewhere, Stoke City and Bristol have two very important matches against Cardiff and Blackburn that they will want to win if they want to stay competitive. Overall, it is going to be a great round of matches sure to excite as fans are welcomed back all around England.

EFL Championship Matchday 17 Odds

All odds taken Dec 7 at DraftKings

EFL Championship Pick 1: Bournemouth vs Swansea City

The first game of the EFL Championship match week is between Bournemouth and Swansea at the Vitality Stadium. Both of these sides have won one and lost one in their last two and will look to build upon good results against Barnsley for the Cherries and Luton for Swansea. The last time these two teams met was in the Premier League in 2018. That calendar year, Bournemouth, then managed by Eddie Howe, won two of three and drew the last against the Swans.

Dominic Solanke at @afcbournemouth

First 42 games ⚽🅰️

Last 21 games ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽🅰️🅰️🅰️ pic.twitter.com/LvIZW8iXr5

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 4, 2020

Nonetheless, this match will be different. In the Championship, these teams are two of the big dogs in the entire league and play with a little bit more swagger. Bournemouth’s offensive production is staggeringly improved from last year, with a big thanks to nearly-failed Liverpool transfer, Dom Solanke.

Formerly a Chelsea academy play, Solanke has netted six goals and three assists this season to lead his side. Swansea has not won consecutive matches since October, so I expect Bournemouth to get the job done in this one and maintain second place in the EFL Championship.

My Pick: Bournemouth moneyline (+150)

EFL Championship Pick 2: Stoke City vs Cardiff City

Furthermore, Stoke City will host Cardiff City in an important mid-table matchup. Stoke City sit just outside the Championship top four on 28 points, while Cardiff have managed an impressive 23 points in 11th place. However, it will not be an easy game for Stoke, as Cardiff’s defense has conceded less than the top three in the Championship table.

🗣 "The confidence & the spirit in the camp is as good as ever…

"We know going to Stoke that we have to match that physicality & be aggressive in our play.”

📺📰 More from the #CardiffCity boss ➡️ https://t.co/l4Wm2qqPVP#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/enrdOQXhEZ

— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) December 7, 2020

In the past year, these sides have split matches. More interestingly, all three of their most recent matches have stayed under two and a half total goals. To add to this phenomenon, these sides have held clean sheets in their last seven games combined. Twenty-year-old Tyrese Campbell will be the man to score for Stoke City if their offense is able to manage, but I think this one is more favorably headed for a slumber party.

My Pick: Under 1.5 total goals (+195)

EFL Championship Pick 3: Bristol vs Blackburn Rovers

The last featured match of the Championship match week is between eighth place Bristol and ninth place Blackburn. These teams are separated by two points, which means Blackburn can jump a spot with a victory away from home. Bristol would have been the favorites to start the year, but Blackburn have really been aided by Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliot.

Harvey Elliot doing Harvey Elliot things 😎 #LFC pic.twitter.com/YZjJy6zjW9

— Grizz* (@GrizzKhan) December 2, 2020

The teenager has five goal contributions in ten matches and has bolstered a strong offense with the likes of Joe Rothwell and Ben Brereton. Blackburn has won four out of their last six in the Championship and I expect them to keep that form rolling into matchday 18.

My Pick: Blackburn moneyline (+130)