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On a full midweek programme of Championship football this is undoubtedly the fixture that catches the eye from an entertainment perspective; two attacking teams in opposition with a couple of swashbuckling managers going head-to-head in the technical area.

Both Blackpool and Leeds got their campaigns off to win-to-nil starts at the weekend, and in all honestly, both looked very solid defensively. Neil Warnock's United side restricted a pretty talented Wolves side to just a few clear cut chances, whilst Ian Holloway's Blackpool were rarely threatened away to Millwall.

Over 2.5 Goals is available to back at just 1.86 here, and that's understandable given the way that both these sides like to play. But early impressions - and I admit they are very early impressions - lead me to believe that defences could once against come out on top.

This corresponding fixture last season resulted in a 1-0 victory to Blackpool and I'm very hopeful that a repeat - at least in terms of number of goals scored - is on the cards tonight.

Recommended Bet: Two attack-minded sides but hopefully Holloway and Warnock provide most of the entertainment. Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 2.12



In any division, it's always worth following newly-promoted sides in the early part of the season if only because they are carrying forward confidence and a winning mentality from the season before.

League One winners Charlton certainly didn't look out of place on Saturday when only a 94th minute Nikola Zigic goal prevented them from taking three points at last season's fourth place finishers Birmingham.

The Addicks will be brimming with confidence ahead of tonight's big clash with Championship second favourites Leicester and Chris Powell's men are well worth a wager to upset the odds.

Charlton lost just two of 23 home games last term whilst Leicester would have finished no better than mid-table if away results only were taken into account. True, the Foxes should also be confident after their opening day success, but beating relegation favourites Peterborough on home soil appears a much simpler task than a midweek away tie at a team that have the ability to be in and around the play-off picture all season.

The Match Odds are the opposite to how I'd have them; I'd have Charlton as marginal favourites at around 2.6 with Nigel Pearson's side at around 3.0. For that reason then, a home victory has to be the bet.

Recommended Bet: A great game in store but hopefully Charlton can carry on where they left off last season. Back Charlton to beat Leicester at 3.0



I watched both of these sides in action on Saturday. I was at Oakwell to see Barnsley narrowly defeat Middlesbrough, and I watched a full re-run of Wolves' live game away to Leeds. The conclusion is that Wolves are much the better side and I fancy them to record an easy victory this evening.

Relegated Wolves looked well organised under Stale Solbakken, and although they didn't create many clear cut chances at Elland Road they strike me as a side that will be extremely difficult to beat at Molineux this season. They have some highly sought-after players still in their squad and if the likes of Steven Fletcher and Matt Jarvis start tonight then what better way to earn yourself a move back to the Premier League than to put in a strong performance?

Barnsley were outplayed for much of the game against Boro but thanks to a mixture of some excellent defending and some poor finishing by the visitors they managed to scrape a 1-0 victory. If Wolves enjoy as much possession tonight then I can't see them being as wasteful as the Teessiders.

Recommended Bet: Wolves will get their promotion campaign up and running against an average Barnsley side. Back Wolves HT/Wolves FT @ 2.72

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