With the New Year fast approaching this weekend, the Championship offers a host of eye-catching affairs on Friday night.

As the likes of Southampton and Leicester look to extend on their respective promotion charges, we have found a pair of intriguing Championship betting markets that are available.

18:00 Southampton vs Plymouth

Although Southampton might have found themselves at the heart of a real Championship struggle back in September, Russell Martin’s men have come roaring back in some style. Skyrocketing their way up the table and now tipped as a runaway contender to claim a play-off ticket in the New Year, Friday’s hosts have certainly gained plenty of plaudits for their attacking approach.

Putting in a stunning performance on Boxing Day as the former Swansea boss secured a 5-0 romp against his former employers on home soil, the Saints are riding a major wave of momentum.

In fact, along with winning all of their previous three Championship appearances by an aggregate score of 10-0, Southampton have also not suffered a single defeat in any their last 16 straight outings.

With that remarkable purple patch stemming all the way back to September 23rd, it should also be highlighted that Martin’s side have won their previous six consecutive battles at St. Mary’s.

On the flip side, snatching a lively 2-2 draw away at Cardiff on Boxing Day and now unbeaten in their last four Championship appearances, the Pilgrims sat firmly in the driving seat to keep hold of their second-tier status.

However, knowing that they face a huge challenge on Friday evening when they travel to St. Mary’s, the Devon-based outfit have shown some extended defensive issues this season.

Along with shipping seven strikes in their previous three outings, Plymouth have also recorded just a single clean sheet over the past month.

Betting Tip: Che Adams to score anytime @ 6/5 with Pribet

19:45 Cardiff vs Leicester

While Leicester might have suffered last-gasp heartbreak away at fellow promotion contenders Ipswich on Boxing Day, Friday’s guests certainly find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Breezing their way to an immediate Premier League return in the New Year, Enzo Maresca’s side have continued to break a string of Championship records this season.

Opening up Friday’s trip to south Wales holding a commanding 11-point buffer from slipping out of the automatic promotion places, the ex-Manchester City coach will be calling on his squad to make another statement here.

Unbeaten in all of their previous eight Championship appearances since returning from November’s international break, Leicester should be smelling a potential opportunity on Friday night.

Collecting seven points from their last three second-tier showdowns away from the King Power, Leicester will be confident of cashing in on a Cardiff side that are desperate to find some Championship stability.

Eventually having to settle for a lively 2-2 stalemate at home against Plymouth on Boxing Day, the Bluebirds have won just a pair of their previous seven appearances.

Now tipped as an outside contender to claim a shock play-off ticket in 2024, Friday’s hosts have also continued to show some extended issues in south Wales.

Including an action-packed 3-2 defeat against Norwich last month, Erol Bulut’s side have registered just a single win from any of their last five contests at the Cardiff City Stadium – a run that stems all the way back to October 28th.

Betting Tip: Leicester win & Both teams to score @ 10/3 with Luckster

Friday’s Championship Double

• Southampton vs Plymouth – Che Adams to score anytime @ 6/5
• Cardiff vs Leicester – Leicester win & Both teams to score @ 10/3

Place a £10 bet on our Daily Double with Vegas Land and pocket £95.33 if all predictions are correct.

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