Our Championship Tips for Gameweek 5 - 28/08/21

Life at Derby County hasn’t been easy for Wayne Rooney and after narrowly escaping a final day relegation last season, his side have endured an indifferent start to the 2021/22 campaign, picking up just five points from their first four matches.For Nottingham Forest, their start to the campaign has also been problematic, with Chris Hughton facing the possibility of his side entering the international break without a single point and rock bottom of the Championship table.Despite their shaky form, Forest do have an impressive scoring record against Derby, netting in each of their last six matches against their rivals.

It’s unlikely the Nottingham side will have enough to force a shock victory, yet goals should be aplenty when these two meet in the early Saturday kick-off.It may be early on in the season, yet much rests on the result of this East Midlands derby, and we’re backing Derby to win and BTTS at a price of 6/1.

After being relegated from the top flight last season, West Bromwich Albion are wasting no time in mounting another promotion push, with the Baggies setting the pace in the division once again. Level on points with fellow relegated side Fulham at the top, Valérien Ismaël’s side have impressed with their goalscoring traits already this year, leading the way as the league’s top scorers.

Having scored three goals in two of their four matches, Championship newbies, Peterborough United could be in for a long afternoon when they host West Brom this weekend.Exciting in their opening fixtures, Peterborough may have entertained in their return to the second-tier, yet Darren Ferguson’s men have struggled to keep the goals out. Last season’s League One runners-up are yet to keep a clean sheet, with only Reading conceding more goals so far.

Expect goals, but only for the away side when West Brom travel to Peterborough, with the Baggies a comfortable 3/1 to score 3+ goals.

Aleksandar Mitrovic is one of those players who consistently struggles when playing in the Premier League, yet regularly bullies defenders in the Championship and the Serbian international has once again got off to a fast start in the second-tier.With three goals in his first four appearances so far this season, Fulham’s main man has wasted no time in setting the division alight, with Marco Silva’s new side racing to the top of the Championship table.

Fellow early-season high-flyers Stoke City are the visitors to Craven Cottage this weekend and despite his prolific goalscoring form, the 2019/20 Championship Golden Boot winner has never scored against the Potters.

Regardless, Mitrovic is the favourite to net in this fixture, coming in at 6/4 to score anytime.

So far, the 2021/22 Championship season hasn’t been kind to either Millwall or Blackpool, with the pair languishing at the bottom of the division, without a victory to their names. Level on points after four matches, both sides will be desperate for the win when they meet at the Den.

Traditionally, Blackpool have struggled with trips to South East London, winning just one of their last 18 away matches to Millwall, their last coming in 2012. If the Seasiders are to pick up a historic win, they’ll to show better form than they have done so far this season.

Neil Critchley’s side are yet to score first this season, making their visit to a ground where they often struggle an even bigger challenge. Millwall should be confident of getting their first win, but the Lions themselves have been shy in front of goal so far, netting just one goal in each of their opening fixtures.Don’t expect fireworks when these two meet, but a slender Millwall victory is the most likely outcome, with Gary Rowett’s men 7/4 to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1.

Welsh international Kieffer Moore has had a struggling start to the season, following an impressive European Championships with the national side. The 29-year-old Cardiff City striker is yet to score this season, with many tipping him to challenge for the Golden Boot.Only recently departed Adam Armstrong netted more goals than Moore last season and the marksman will no doubt find his goalscoring boots soon.

For Mick McCarthy, he will be hoping the former Wigan Athletic man can find the net when Bristol City travel to the Welsh capital this weekend.Cardiff have ambitions to reach the playoffs this campaign and have got off to a decent enough start, picking up two wins from four without tasting defeat. Looking to maintain their unbeaten record in the Championship’s other early Saturday kick-off, the Bluebirds will be confident of repeating the result the last time the two met.

Running out comfortable 2-0 winners back in February, Moore was on the scoresheet as Cardiff picked up three points, with the same eventuality priced at 2/1.