Welcome back to another Fantasy Championship five tips for Gameweek 28 article.
Joe Dean returns with his top five tips ahead of Gameweek 28 in the English Championship.
Last weekend's fixtures saw Middlesbrough concede for the first time in 10 games, Hull put 6 past Charlton in Jose Riga's first game in charge and Brighton get back to winning ways with a hard fought victory at Blackburn.
The transfer window is in full swing with most clubs trying to strengthen their survival or promotion chances. QPR have replaced Charlie Austin with Peterborough's Conor Washington while Blackburn have brought in Danny Graham, Elliott Ward and Simeon Jackson. Leeds have lost their battle to keep hold of key player Sam Byram as he completed a move to West Ham this week.
Here are our five tips for Gameweek 28. Our player prices come from our partners over at
FantasyBet (FB) &
Mondogoal (MO) - they host weekly Championship fantasy fooball contests for cash prizes.
Fixtures
| Date |
Home |
Vs. |
Away |
| 30/01/16 |
BCY |
15:00 |
BIR |
| 30/01/16 |
HUD |
15:00 |
CAR |
| 30/01/16 |
ROT |
15:00 |
CHA |
| 02/02/16 |
DER |
19:45 |
PNE |
| 02/02/16 |
IPS |
19:45 |
RED |
| 02/02/16 |
SWD |
19:45 |
BUR |
| 02/02/16 |
WOL |
19:45 |
BOL |
Odds
Just a side note, because the games are spread over two different days the odds are currently not available at the time of writing.
Tip 1 � Birmingham to gate-crash the playoffs (if only for a few days)
Birmingham have gone from strength to strength since Gary Rowett was appointed manager. Following their comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Ipswich last time out, the Blues only need a point at Bristol City on Saturday to move in to the top 6. Although Sheffield Wednesday could reclaim 6th spot when they play Burnley on Tuesday, the psychological boost from being in the playoff places for a few days could prove important for the belief of the Birmingham players.
They go to Ashton Gate full of confidence having taken 13 points out last 15 available. In contrast, Bristol City have only won 1 of their last 8 and failed to move out of the drop zone after losing at Leeds. Only Ipswich have a better away record than Birmingham this season so I'm expecting them to come out on top in this one. Jon Toral (MO:7.1m, FB:6.0m) is Birmingham's top scorer this season and is always a threat from midfield. Fellow midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld (MO:5.8m, FB:5.0m) had a slow start to life in the Champonship but now has 3 goals in his last form so is a form player at the moment. At the back, Paul Caddis (MO:8.9m, FB:7.0m) could be a smart inclusion as he usually takes penalties as well as having a strong chance of picking up a clean sheet.
Tip 2 � More away day pain for Bolton.
While most clubs are investing millions into new recruits, Bolton are struggling to pay their current staff. Despite winning 3-1 at the Macron against the MK Dons last time out, the Trotters are still bottom and look certainties for the drop. They face a tough trip to Molineux on Tuesday night where they'll look to record their first away win of the season. Wolves on the other hand have been busy in the window as they look to mount a late playoff charge.
Newcastle's Mike Williamson (MO:7.1m, FB:) and Cardiff's Joe Mason (MO:7.1m, FB:6.5m) look set to join and should be in line for debuts. Williamson was outstanding in his short loan spell earlier this season and Mason might be the man to replace recently departed Benik Afobe. As well as the 2 new recruits, James Henry (MO:7.1m, FB:) will be a constant threat as he looks to add to his 6 goals this term. I'm predicting a comfortable evening for Kenny Jackett's men.
Tip 3 � Derby to stop the rot.
With all the money they've spent and with the near misses in recent years, there's a lot of pressure on Paul Clement to take his Derby side to the Premier League. After a win against Fulham on Boxing Day, things looked very promising for the Rams as they went top of the Championship. However, since then they haven't won culminating in a heavy defeat at Burnley on Monday. Fans will fear a repeat of last season where a catastrophic second half to the season took them from being automatic promotion favourites to missing out on the playoffs.
I'm predicting a response to the drop in form as they host Preston to the iPro on Tuesday night. I had tipped Preston to beat Brentford last time but they were disappointing during the 3-1 defeat at Deepdale. Grayson's men were leaky at the back, and having built their solid season around a resolute backline, will be a real concern. Derby's attacking flair, typified by Tom Ince (MO:7.1m, FB:11.0m) and Chris Martin (MO:7.1m, FB:12.0m), will be on hand to take advantage on any defensive frailties Preston show, while Jason Shackell (MO:7.1m, FB:6.0m) will want a strong performance and a clean sheet after a night to forget on his return to Turf Moor.
Tip 4 � Rotherham to shutout Charlton.
Rotherham have been keeping their heads just above water all season and will see the visit of Charlton as a chance to extend the gap between themselves and the relegation places. The Addicks go to the New York stadium looking for their first win in 12. Returning boss Jose Riga got the first point of his second spell at home to Blackburn last weekend and will hope to build on that.
We can't see it happening as their recent away record is awful while the Millers' have picked up 17 of their 25 points at home. We're tipping Rotherham to win and keep a clean sheet. Full back Joe Mattock (MO:6.3m, FB:4.5m) is a threat going forward as well as picking up defensive points while midfielder Joe Newell (MO:6.8m, FB:4.5m) is Rotherham's second highest goal scorer this season, scoring his 5th of the campaign in the 2-2 draw at Cardiff last Saturday.
Tip 5 � Goals at Hillsborough.
Two promotion hopefuls go head to head on Tuseday as 6th place Sheffield Wednesday host 3rd placed Burnley. Both sides are in good form and both are free scoring. In Andre Gray (MO:7.1m, FB:10.0m), Burnley have the division's top scorer with 17 goals already. He causes problems for whoever he comes up against and the Owls aren't likely to be any different.
Wednesday have plenty of options as well having signed Norwich's Gary Hooper (MO:7.1m, FB:8.5m) on a permanent basis. He'll want to justify his £5,000,000 price tag alongside Foriestieri who is in double figures this season. Don't expect to see any clean sheet points in this game as it has the ingredients to be a high scoring affair.
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more Fantasy Football Tips throughout the week.
