Improving Forest should have little to fear from cautious Stoke

Sky Bet Championship & FA Cup
3pm Saturday

Nottingham Forest are flying under the radar at 25-1 in the Sky Bet Championship title betting but have big ambitions and can consolidate their top-six berth by beating Stoke at the City Ground.

The markets are not convinced by Forest, who have taken time to adjust to an influx of summer signings.

Performances have been inconsistent but Aitor Karanka's side have lost just two of 16 league fixtures and their 1-0 success at home to Sheffield United last Saturday was one of their most convincing displays of the season.

Winning a hard-fought game against the Blades is a sign of Forest's progress and there is scope for further improvement as Karanka gets closer to his preferred first-choice 11.

Twenty-four players have featured in league games for Forest this season and 12 of those have been new arrivals.

Given the player turnover, Forest have done well to stay in playoff contention and look well-placed to contend over the rest of the campaign.

Stoke also hope to grow into the season but there are fewer excuses for their sketchy start.

They retained large elements of their relegated squad but have struggled for consistency and their mini-revival - they are unbeaten in three games - may be a false dawn.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland was the hero of their 1-0 victory at Bristol City a fortnight ago (they lost the shot count 22 to nine) and the Potters were starved of clear sights at goal in last Saturday's dismal goalless draw at home to Middlesbrough.

Stoke's cautious football is hard to watch and it may not get them anything against a Forest team on an upward curve.

Recommendation
Nottingham Forest
2pts 8-5 bet365, Betfred, Betway

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

QPR v Brentford

Thomas Frank lost his first three matches in the Brentford hotseat but steered them to a 2-0 victory at home to Millwall last Saturday and can lead them to a west London derby victory over QPR at Loftus Road.

QPR are two points above Brentford, having done better than expected in their first season under Steve McClaren.

But they have a few clouds on the horizon with a transfer embargo in place for January and look more likely to be fighting a relegation battle in 2019 than pushing towards the playoffs.

Given the limitations of QPR's small squad, they need luck with injuries.

However, key holding midfielder Geoff Cameron (hamstring) and striker Tomer Hemed (groin) were ruled out of last Saturday's 1-0 loss at Blackburn, and they were missed as the Hoops' five-match unbeaten run came to an end.

Cameron is available to return but faces a tough game against a Brentford side eager to get back in the promotion race.

Dean Smith's October departure to Aston Villa was far from ideal but he left behind a talented Brentford squad capable of challenging for a top-six finish.

There is plenty of firepower with Neal Maupay and Ollie Watkins on 11 and six league goals and the centre-back partnership between Chris Mepham and Ezri Konsa has huge promise.

Brentford have probably not got the number of wins or points they should have but they may have a little too much quality for hard-working QPR, who are having to perform close to their maximum for anything they get.

Recommendation
Brentford
2pts 6-4 BoyleSports

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Walsall v Coventry

Coventry had a memorable FA Cup run last season, defeating Premier League Stoke 2-1 in the third round, and can start the ball rolling in 2018-19 by beating Walsall at the Bescot Stadium.

The Sky Blues have even more potential to progress in the cups this season because they have improved since winning promotion to Sky Bet League One.

After a slow start in the third tier, they have put together a six-match unbeaten run, lifting them from 14th to eighth – outside the playoff places on goal difference.

Winning another promotion will be their main aim but, as a club without a permanent home, finances are a high priority and the FA Cup offers a golden opportunity to raise revenues.

Walsall will also be keen to progress but are struggling for confidence, having lost four of their last five league games.

The shaky Saddlers have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five matches and their defence may let them down again.

Recommendation
Coventry
2pts 8-5 bet365

Bet on this match at Soccebase.com

Scunthorpe v Burton

Burton have an EFL Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough to look forward to but are not planning to take the FA Cup lightly and look great value to clear the first hurdle by beating League One rivals Scunthorpe at Glanford Park.

Nigel Clough's Brewers are making up for a slow start in the league, having taken ten points from the last five games, and look in better shape than Scunny, who are searching for their first victory in eight matches.

Recommendation
Burton
1pt 13-8 bet365

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

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