[u]Birmingham v Southampton[/u]
Just a month ago Birmingham were 14th in the table - four consecutive league victories later and they sit fourth. If you add in FA Cup successes against Wolves and Sheffield United, the Blues have won their last six and are unbeaten in 10 in all competitions.
They are the only team in the Championship protecting an undefeated home record, and have been scoring goals for fun: 20 in their last six games. The fact they are hosting Southampton is probably offering us slightly fatter odds than if they were playing at home to just about anyone else.
The Saints have stuttered slightly of late, but you still have to admire what has been an outstanding season for a side that, never forget, was in League One last season. The Saints topped the table from mid-September...
[u]Brighton v Nottm Forest[/u]
Wrong price alert! Team in seventh at home to team in 22nd, surely the hosts would be around even money . . . at best? I saw the price, so I checked the current form table - perhaps there was a clue there? Nope, Brighton are 10th over the last six games, Forest are 19th. Therefore, to be able to back Albion at 2.36 really does look the bet of the weekend to me. Admittedly the Seagulls were well off colour a few weeks ago, as they went nine games without a win. But they have recaptured the form that saw them top the table in mid-September and have won three of their last four, including both their last two at home.
By contrast, Forest were stuffed 4-0 at home by Leeds in midweek to make it four defeats in their last six - and they have also failed to ...