Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers look to maintain their lead at the top of the table as they play host to Leeds United, who are just outside the top six. Wolves came into this season, having spent a lot of money, with the aim of gaining promotion to the Premier League. So far, so good, as they sit two points clear at the top of the table.
They come into this match off the back of three consecutive wins, all 2-0 over Norwich, Fulham, and Reading. They have lost just once in their last seven and only three times all season. A lot of their success is down to Brazilian loanee Leo Bonatini, who has netted ten goals this season and seven in the last seven matches. They are on a run of six unbeaten at home in the league, with five wins and a draw against Bristol City. The last Championship defeat they suffered as hosts came against Cardiff City in August. Recent League Form – WWWLWW.
English Football League Championship – Wednesday 22nd November 2017 19:45 UK Time
Wolverhampton WanderersBest Odd of: 4/7 at Ladbrokes |
Draw Best Odd of: 10/3 at Ladbrokes |
Leeds UnitedBest Odd of: 11/2 at Ladbrokes |
Leeds United
Leeds missed out on a play-off place last season and are just outside the top six again this term, due to a worrying drop in form. After going unbeaten for the first seven league matches of the season, they have since won just three of the next ten. The other seven have all been defeats, meaning they have picked up just nine points from a possible thirty. A 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough at the weekend ended a run of three consecutive losses and leaves them outside the play-off places on goal difference alone. They have lost four of their last five away league games, but did pick up an excellent 3-0 victory at Bristol City last month. Recent League Form – WLLLWL.
Head to Head
These sides first met in 1932, and have played each other a total of seventy-one times since then. Leeds just have the edge, with twenty-nine victories. Wolves have won twenty-seven, and fifteen have been draws. They have been pretty equal in recent years, with three wins apiece from the last six. All six matches were close affairs, with each one decided by a single goal. Leeds won three consecutive meetings up until the most recent, with Wolves ending their run by picking up a 1-0 away victory in April this year.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Due to league position, recent form, and home advantage, Wolves are clear betting favourites to pick up the win here. Although we think it’ll be closer than the odds suggest. Ladbrokes have the hosts priced at 4/7, with Leeds at 11/2, and the draw at odds of 10/3. We do predict a home win, but a close one.
With each of the last six meetings being settled by a single goal, it makes sense statistically to predict a home win by a one goal margin. Which then means a bet on a draw in the handicap market, with Wolves starting at -1, also makes sense. This is available at odds of 12/5, which is decent value. Wolves have scored inside twenty minutes in each of their last three matches, but only once inside ten. So, backing Wolves to score their first goal between 11-20 minutes is tempting at odds of 6/1. One other bet we are confident in here is Leo Bonatini to score anytime. The Brazilian has netted seven goals in the last seven matches, and is priced at 6/5 to make it eight in eight.
Top Betting Tip
Our top betting tip for this match is Wolves to win in the match result market, priced at 4/7 with Ladbrokes. We think the Championship leaders will have just a bit too much quality for Leeds in this match.