EFL Championship Matchday 23 Odds & Picks: Sheffield Wednesday vs Derby County; Millwall vs Coventry City; Swansea City vs Watford

• One holiday fixture on New Year’s Day with 11 more to come on Saturday
• Rooney enjoying life as temporary Derby coach while Millwall have been out of action
• See all odds and best bets for England EFL Championship Matchday 23

England’s EFL Championship continues its busy holiday spell with resurgent Derby County traveling to Sheffield Wednesday for a traditional New Year’s Day fixture.

Norwich City lead the table above Bournemouth and third-placed Swansea City.

See our preview of EFL Championship Matchday 23 here.

EFL Championship Matchday 23 Odds

Odds taken from Draftkings on Dec 31

Pick 1: Sheffield Wednesday vs Derby County

Wayne Rooney has made an impressive start as temporary manager of Derby County and they will be in a buoyant mood at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday.

Derby has lost just once in eight games since former England striker Rooney took charge while seeking the manager’s job permanently.

"I'm enjoying this role. I've said every week it's something that I want to do."

Wayne Rooney is staking a strong claim to get the manager's job permanently, after his Derby County side smashed Birmingham 4-0. pic.twitter.com/fMmvMq4owV

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 29, 2020

They won 4-0 at Birmingham City on Tuesday in their best performance so far under Rooney’s command.

So they are well priced for a win at +135 at 12:30 pm ET, although Sheffield Wednesday were also successful following the sacking of manager Tony Pulis earlier this week.

With first-team coach Neil Thompson in interim charge, they were 2-1 winners at home against Middlesbrough on Tuesday – only their second win in 11 games.

When Wayne Rooney took sole charge, Derby were bottom of the table. Now they are 20^th.

In 22nd place, Sheffield Wednesday are priced at +210 for a home win with the draw at +205.

When Rooney took sole charge, Derby were bottom of the table. Now they are 20^th.

Firstly, he tightened up the defense – as shown by the fact there have been four draws in his eight matches.

+3⃣ to end 2020.

Big performance, big win, now on to Friday #swfc pic.twitter.com/4wXvxBqEPQ

— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) December 29, 2020

The 4-0 thrashing of Birmingham was his third win and showed increasing confidence upfront.

Wednesday were 1-0 winners at home against Coventry City on December 19 in Pulis’s penultimate game in charge.

But the following 1-1 draw at Blackburn on December 26 meant there had been only one win in 10 games. So Pulis was fired.

Derby were 3-1 winners at Sheffield Wednesday last February.

Pick: Derby County +135

Pick 2: Millwall vs Coventry City

Millwall’s last two games were postponed because of a coronavirus outbreak and they could be a little ring-rusty at home against Coventry City at 10:00 am ET on Saturday.

Both teams have been unimpressive lately with Millwall in 16th place after no fewer than seven draws in their last 11 fixtures.

In 17th place, Coventry have drawn six of their last 11 games.

This makes the Draftkings’ offer of +205 for a draw this weekend appear surprisingly good value.

The oddsmakers seem somehow to be impressed by Millwall against the run of their stuttering recent form and make them -104 for a win at their HQ at The Den.

Coventry are priced at a wide +335.

Yet Millwall has won just once in the previous 12 games.

Significantly, Millwall have scored only seven times in their last 12 games.

There was a 1-1 draw at home against Nottingham Forest in the team’s most recent outing.

Significantly, Millwall have scored only seven times in their last 12 games.

The Den with Cold Blow Lane and the site of the old place in the distance. #Millwall pic.twitter.com/FHFmhqEvvs

— Wall Art (@WallArt1885) December 28, 2020

Coventry’s last win was five games ago; a 2-1 success at struggling Wycombe Wanderers.

Since then they have lost twice and drawn twice with their most recent result a 2-0 defeat at Preston North End last Tuesday.

They have drawn three times on the road with only one win and seven defeats.

🗣: “Tonight, unfortunately, we were on top in the game, we created a load of chances but looked like we wanted to try and score a perfect goal." #PUSB

➡ https://t.co/cjSYJZcg44 pic.twitter.com/wHI73NPEBB

— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) December 29, 2020

But Millwall’s home form is very poor with only one win, seven draws and two defeats.

There was a 2-0 win for Millwall at Coventry when these teams last met in February 2017.

Pick: Draw +205

Pick 3: Swansea City vs Watford

Swansea City have kept no fewer than 13 clean sheets in 22 Championship matches which has helped them claim third place.

They face a Watford team that is in fifth place – and has just scored a 1-0 home win against leaders Norwich City last Saturday.

With Swansea on a three-match unbeaten run and Watford having lost only once in the last four games, a tight battle looks in-store at 10:00 am ET on Saturday.

That makes DraftKings’ price of +205 for a draw look good value.

Swansea are at +170 for a win with Watford rated at +175.

Coach Steve Cooper’s Swansea side had enjoyed two straight wins heading into Wednesday’s home match against Reading.

Both these teams have very similar records which helps point towards a potential draw.

But despite dominating play they were held to a 0-0 draw.

Both these teams have very similar records which help point towards a potential draw.

After 22 games, Swansea have 11 wins, seven draws and four defeats.

Done deal ✅

Watford have sold midfielder Etienne Capoue to Villarreal.

Full story: https://t.co/O7Bfrt1syp#bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/kbbikRvpyE

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 30, 2020

Watford have played 21 times with 10 wins, seven draws and four defeats.

Home form has been particularly productive for Swansea with six wins, four draws and only one defeat.

On the road, Watford have not been so effective with only two wins, a significant five draws and three defeats.

When these teams met in September 2019, there was a 2-1 home win for Watford.

Pick: Draw +205