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EFL Championship Matchday 8 Odds & Picks: Reading’s Defense Will Hold Blackburn

Josh Ricker

by Josh Ricker in Soccer News

Updated Mar 4, 2021 · 1:36 PM PST

Emiliano Marcondes falls
Brentford's Emiliano Marcondes, top, and Newcastle's Dwight Gayle challenge for the ball during the EFL Cup soccer match between Brentford and Newcastle United at Brentford Community Stadium in London, England, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. (Adam Davy/Pool via AP)
  • The EFL Championship will complete its eighth matchday on Tuesday and Wednesday, as the promotional race starts to take its shape
  • At this point in the season, Reading lead the competition by five points, while Premier League relegation sides Watford, Bournemouth and Norwich all sit within the top five
  • The highlight match of the week, between Bournemouth and Bristol City, is being favored to go to the Cherries with a moneyline of -127

The EFL Championship is a long and grueling competition, some say the hardest in all of sport. While it is only the eighth matchday, every point counts come the end of the season and reaching every clubs goal, promotion. Reading is off to a flyer of a start as the Royals’ defense have only conceded one time in seven EFL Championship fixtures.

The middle of the table is packed tight with 13 clubs being within four points of each other. This proximity in points makes these middle of the table fixtures all the more important. At the bottom of the EFL Championship table sits Wycombe on zero points and Sheffield Wednesday on -4 points, after a 12 point deduction due to violation in spending rules.

EFL Championship Matchday 8 Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Barnsley -0.5 (+155) +155 O 2.5 (+115)
Queens Park Rangers +0.5 (-200) +185 U 2.5 (-143)
Draw N/A +215 N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Middlesbrough -0.5 (-110) -110 O 2.5 (+118)
Coventry City +0.5 (-113) +335 U 2.5 (-148)
Draw N/A +220 N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Blackburn Rovers -1 (+215) +102 O 2.5 (+102)
Reading +1 (-278) +290 U 2.5 (-127)
Draw N/A +220 N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Brentford -0.5 (+120) +120 O 2.5 (+104)
Norwich City +0.5 (-150) +220 U 2.5 (-129)
Draw N/A +235 N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Swansea City pk (-148) +140 O 2.5 (+130)
Stoke City pk (+118) +205 U 2.5 (-162)
Draw N/A +210 N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Wycombe +1 (-118) +650 O 2.5 (+112)
Watford -1 (-106) -195 U 2.5 (-139)
Draw N/A +265 N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Preston North End -0.5 (+125) +125 O 2.5 (+150)
Millwall +0.5 (-157) +240 U 2.5 (-190)
Draw N/A +205 N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Birmingham -0.5 (+135) +135 O 2.5 (+150)
Huddersfield Town +0.5 (-175) +225 U 2.5 (-190)
Draw N/A +200 N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Bournemouth -1 (+150) -127 O 2.5 (-113)
Bristol City +1 (-190) +325 U 2.5 (-110)
Draw N/A +270 N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Derby County pk (-103) +180 O 2.5 (+148)
Cardiff City pk (-122) +160 U 2.5 (-186)
Draw N/A +210 N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Luton Town pk (+123) +220 O 2.5 (+128)
Nottingham Forest pk (-155) +135 U 2.5 (-159)
Draw N/A +210 N/A
Team Spread Moneyline Odds Total
Rotherham United +0.5 (-165) +220 O 2.5 (+123)
Sheffield Wednesday -0.5 (+132) +130 U 2.5 (-152)
Draw N/A +215 N/A

All odds taken Oct 26 at DraftKings

EFL Championship Pick 1: Brentford vs Norwich City

The first key EFL Championship matchup of the week is between 11th placed Brentford and a relegated fifth place, Norwich City. After losing in the promotional playoff final last season to Fulham, Brentford have something to prove in the Championship. With new strike force Ivan Toney banging in goals left and right, they look like a promising side. But, their defense has been letting them down, conceding ten goals so far, which is the fourth-worst mark in the EFL Championship.

Additionally, it is a tall task going against Norwich City who have won three straight against Rotherham, Birmingham and Wycombe. Norwich’s common theme so far this year has been their lack of offensive production. Eight goals in seven is just not good enough for a top Championship side. With that being said, I think these two sides will see each other out to a stalemate.

Pick: Draw (+235)

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EFL Championship Pick 2: Reading vs Blackburn Rovers

This Championship match between Reading and Blackburn Rovers is extremely tricky to call, especially given the line which does not favor first place Reading. Blackburn have surely been great this season scoring 16 goals and putting in an impressive showing away at Coventry over the weekend. Adam Armstrong looks incredible and by adding Liverpool’s Harvey Elliot to the mix, their potential is quite unlimited.

But, Reading is more than impressive, to say the least. They keep games on low and slow and see them out no matter what the scoreline is. They have yet to be beaten this season in the Championship, and I think taking their moneyline is a great pick.

Pick: Reading moneyline (+290)

EFL Championship Pick 3: Bournemouth vs Bristol City

My last prediction for the EFL Championship this week is between Bournemouth and Bristol City. Bristol is one point ahead of the Cherries in 2nd place and this is a vital match for both sides involved. These two teams have been dreadful in terms of form lately, combining for five draws and one loss in their last three games.

Furthermore, in seven out of their combined ten most recent matches, the total goal number was below two and a half. This one might be too close to call from a moneyline or spread perspective because their results have been so volatile. However, one thing is fairly certain, and that is the fact it will probably be a snoozer for goals.

Pick: Under 2.5 Total Goals (-110)

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