Friday football tips: Bowyer's Birmingham expected to march on

The Championship returns this weekend following the international break and the Sky cameras are heading to St Andrew's on Friday night as Birmingham entertain Derby.

There are also two Friday fixtures taking place in League Two, with leaders Harrogate hosting Newport and Colchester making the long trip to Barrow.

Europe's elite divisions are also back on the menu with Friday's game in Ligue 1 seeing champions Lille take on Lorient.

Today's best accumulator bets

Bets to be placed by 7.45pm

Birmingham to beat Derby

Harrogate to beat Newport

Club Brugge to beat Oostende

Both teams to score in Lorient v Lille

Lee Bowyer is getting a tune out of his Birmingham players and home advantage can help the Blues see off Derby, while unbeaten League Two leaders Harrogate should prove too strong for inconsistent Newport.

Club Brugge have won their last six home meetings with Oostende in the Belgian top-flight and can maintain their superiority before a cracker takes place in Ligue 1 between Lorient and Lille, who still await a first clean sheet of the campaign.

The four-fold pays 9-1 with William Hill.

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Birmingham v Derby

Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 8pm

Birmingham have lost only one of their opening five Championship clashes and can climb into the top four with a home win over Derby, who who were impacted by a summer transfer embargo and look significantly short on firepower.

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Best bet
Birmingham

Bet of the day

Harrogate to beat Newport 7.45pm

Harrogate are setting the early pace in League Two, having won four and drawn one of their opening five fixtures, and can continue their strong start by beating a Newport side who have lost on two of their previous three road trips.

Cards bet of the day

Birmingham v Derby Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 8pm

Only Coventry have collected more yellow cards than Derby (14) in the Championship this season and a physical Birmingham side may test their discipline. Midfielder Louis Sibley has been booked three times in as many appearances and is 15-8 with bet365 to pick up another card.

Best bet
Louis Sibley to be shown a card