Before the Round – England Championship Round 41 (05-06/04/2022)

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The Championship has entered the home stretch and the promotion playoffs are in sight. Teams have between six and eight games left in the regular season. If any of the promotion playoff chasers want to play postseason football, they must win in midweek to improve those chances.

Peterborough - Luton Town

Luton Town Smashed Peterborough United earlier this season 3-0. Now, Nathan Jones’ team is seeking another win and to solidify their place in the top six.

Peterborough are bottom of the table and eight points off of safety. Just one of Peterborough’s last six games ended in a win. Last time out, the Posh lost 4-0 to Middlesbrough at home.

Luton are fourth in the Championship’s standings. They are eight points off of second place and the final automatic promotion spot. Luton are unbeaten in three straight Championship games. Their last match finished 2-2 with Millwall.

• Peterborough are in an unfortunate period, having won just 4 of their last 28 matches in all competitions.
• Luton Town have been defeated at HT/FT in their last 3 away matches against Peterborough in all competitions.
• The team of Peterborough are on a poor run of 10 all competitions matches in which they have allowed at least 1 goal.
• The team of Luton Town has achieved just 1 wins in 7 away encounters with Peterborough in all competitions
• Prediction: Luton Town @ 1.91

Preston North End – Blackpool

Preston North End and Blackpool still have outside chances of making the promotion playoffs. Time is drawing to an end to get enough points to finish in the top six, however.

Preston are on a two-game losing streak in the league. They picked up just six points from the last 18 points possible. The Lilywhites lost 2-0 to Blackpool away earlier this season.

Blackpool picked up 10 points from the last 18 points available in the Championship. They are coming off of a 4-1 loss to Nottingham Forest and are winless in back-to-back league fixtures.

• Preston North End haven't scored a single goal in all of their last 3 all competitions games.
• Blackpool have kept a clean sheet against Preston North End in all of their last 3 away league matches.
• Preston North End haven't lost a match in 8 of their last 9 home matches in Championship.
• Blackpool are unbeaten in 6 of their 7 most recent clashes against Preston North End in Championship.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.73

Middlesbrough – Fulham

Middlesbrough surprised Fulham last time around with a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage. Now, the Boro host Fulham with three massive points on the line.

Fulham are first in the league with 80 points. They are eight points ahead of second-place Bournemouth in the table. Fulham are coming off of a 2-0 derby win over Queens Park Rangers. No team has scored as many goals as Fulham this season (92).

Middlesbrough are fifth in the league but just one point separates them from seventh-place Nottingham Forest in the chase for the promotion playoffs. Boro are unbeaten in their last three Championship matches.

• Middlesbrough have won 8 consecutive home games in the Championship.
• Fulham haven't been beaten by Middlesbrough in all of their last 6 games in all competitions.
• Middlesbrough are unbeaten in 9 of their last 10 home matches in all competitions.
• Fulham haven't lost in 25 of their last 29 matches in all competitions.
• Prediction: Fulham @ 2.25

West Bromwich – Bournemouth

West Brom suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to derby rival Birmingham City at the weekend. It was their second straight match without a win. The Baggies are now eight points off of sixth-place Blackburn. Bournemouth are second and six points ahead of third-place Huddersfield.

Bournemouth are unbeaten in five straight games in the Championship. They picked up 11 points from the last 18 points possible in the league. The Cherries outscored their last six opponents 11-6.

West Brom took eight points from the last 18 points available. Sacking Valerien Ismael and hiring Steve Bruce hasn’t solved the team’s issues. West Brom have a home record of 9W-7D-2L this season. Twelve of West Brom’s 39 games this season have finished as draws.

• West Bromwich haven't lost in 16 of their last 18 home matches in Championship.
• Bournemouth are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 Championship games.
• West Bromwich have won only 3 of their last 18 all competitions matches.
• Bournemouth have scored 1 or more goals in their last 10 Championship games in a row.
• Prediction: Bournemouth @ 2.88