Before the Round – Trends on the England Championship (15/02)

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The Championship will present a midweek set of games for round 32 as the second division gets closer to the end. Nine teams have a realistic chance of making the promotion playoffs. Meanwhile, Wigan’s 1-0 win over Huddersfield at the weekend have the nearing the exit of the relegation zone.

Bristol City - Wigan Athletic

Bristol City recorded a 1-1 draw with Wigan at the DW Stadium earlier this season. It was the third draw in the last six meetings between the two teams. Wigan’s last two visits to Ashton Gate ended in identical 2-2 draws.

The Robins go into the game unbeaten in six straight games. It seems in recent seasons that Bristol City start the campaign poorly but get things together in the second half to avoid the drop. The Robins are 13th and on a two-game winning streak in the Championship.

Wigan picked up a massive point at home with a late win against Huddersfield at the weekend. They are unbeaten in back-to-back games and a win or draw could see the Latics move out of the relegation zone.

• Bristol City are undefeated in their last 9 all competitions games in a row.
• A run of 3 straight away all competitions draws at half time/full time makes up Wigan Athletic's most recent games.
• Bristol City have succeeded in winning at both half time and full time in their 3 most recent all competitions clashes.
• Wigan Athletic are in an unfortunate period, having won just 3 of their last 22 matches in all competitions.
• Predictions: Under 2.5 goals

Preston North End - Luton Town

Preston North End went to Kenilworth Road and picked up a narrow 1-0 win versus Luton Town in the reverse fixture. The Lilywhites are on a two-game losing streak and likely out of the running for the promotion playoffs.

Despite winning at Luton earlier this season, Preston picked up just two wins in their last six games against the Hatters. North End posted a record of 2W-1D-3L in those six matches. Just six points were taken from Preston’s last six Championship games.

Luton Town are in the hunt for the promotion playoffs, as they sit fourth ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Preston. Thirteen points were taken from the last 18 points on offer by the Hatters. They outscored their last six opponents 9-5.

• Preston North End have a poor record of 5 consecutive home losses in Championship.
• Luton Town are unbeaten in 7 of their last 8 Championship games.
• Preston North End have achieved just 1 wins in their 7 most recent home games in all competitions.
• Under 2.5 goals were seen in Luton Town's last 4 matches in Championship.
• Predictions: Luton Town

Stoke City - Huddersfield Town

From promotion playoff final losers in 2021-22 to relegation candidates in 2022-23, Huddersfield are 23rd in the table after losing 1-0 to Wigan on Saturday. Huddersfield Town are winless in six straight league games.

Stoke City aren’t out of danger as they go into the game in 19th place. Just four points were picked up from their last six games. Five points separate Stoke from the relegation zone. The good news for the Potters’ is their head-to-head form versus Huddersfield Town.

Huddersfield posted a record of 1W-2D-3L against Stoke City in their last six games. However, the Terriers walloped Stoke 3-1 earlier this season at home. Huddersfield are the Championship’s worst away team with just 10 points from 15 games this season.

• Stoke City have won just 1 of their last 7 matches in Championship.
• Huddersfield are on a poor run of just 2 wins in 17 away matches (all competitions).
• Stoke City have seen both teams score in all of their 6 most recent clashes with Huddersfield in Championship.
• On average, Huddersfield have scored 0.94 goals in their last away matches in all competitions.
• Predictions: Under 2.5 goals

Swansea City – Blackpool

Swansea City picked up a 1-0 win over Blackpool earlier this season in the Championship. The teams divided the last six games between them two wins, two draws, and two defeats apiece.

Blackpool are bottom of the Championship table but could get out of the bottom three with a win or draw depending on results elsewhere. Blackpool went winless in their last six games, with their three points all coming from three draws.

Swansea City are 15th in the league standings. They are six points off the final playoff place and can still make the top six. However, Swansea City are on a two-game losing streak ahead of kick-off on Wednesday.

• Swansea City have won only 2 of their last 16 all competitions matches.
• Blackpool's latest record consists of 3 straight away losses in all competitions.
• Swansea City have seen under 2.5 goals scored in all of their 3 most recent home clashes with Blackpool in all competition.
• Blackpool have achieved just 1 wins of their last 14 Championship games.
• Prediction: Draw