Sky Bet Championship betting tips: Brentford v Bournemouth; Swansea v Reading | Best bets and preview

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record

Brentford v Bournemouth betting tips

  • 17:30 GMT kick-off on Sky Sports Football
  • Match Odds:

Brentford and Bournemouth do battle in west London on Wednesday, and it is a game that both promotion-chasing sides will be desperate to win.

The Bees endured a dismal start to the season, winning just four of their opening 12 matches, but they have really pulled themselves together of late and are now unbeaten in 14 league games, winning seven.

This upturn in form had been on the cards for a while, with Brentford recording impressive Expected Goals (xG) figures even when not winning.

Brentford v Bournemouth: Best bets

Opta facts

  • This is the first league meeting between Brentford and Bournemouth since February 2015, with the Bees winning 3-1 at Griffin Park
  • Bournemouth are winless in their last six away league games against Brentford (D4 L2) since a 2-0 win in October 2005.
  • Brentford lost their final league game of 2019 (0-1 at Millwall), but haven’t lost their final game in consecutive calendar years since a run of three between 2003-2005.
  • Bournemouth lost their final league games in both 2018 and 2019, last losing their final league game in three consecutive years between 1995 and 1997.

Swansea v Reading betting tips

  • 20:00 GMT kick-off on Sky Sports Football
  • Match Odds:

It is fair to say that Swansea and Reading have been the two surprise packages of the season, the Welsh side currently occupying second spot in the Sky Bet Championship, while the Royals look well and truly in the hunt for a play-off spot after a magnificent start to the campaign.

Veljko Paunović’s side won seven of their opening eight matches, but their season has plateaued since then.

It would be harsh to say Reading have been poor recently, particularly given they have won two of their last four matches, but they have been posting some underwhelming numbers in terms of Expected Goals (xG) and may have been a little fortunate to get the better of QPR and Luton.

After a really good start to the season in an attacking sense, Reading seem to have stalled, created less than 1xG in their last four matches (0.28, 0.43, 0.47, 0.45). It would be a shocking return for a team facing relegation, never mind a team pushing for promotion.

Defensively Reading have been poor this season as well, conceding the seventh-most goals in the Championship. This will be a worry for Paunović as his side face a very efficient Swansea team.

Swansea v Reading: Best bets

Opta facts

  • Swansea are unbeaten in their last 11 league meetings with Reading (W6 D5) since a 0-4 loss in September 2008.
  • Reading haven’t won any of their last six away league games against Swansea, alternating between defeat and a draw since a 1-0 win in February 2001.
  • Swansea have won their final league game in just one of the last seven calendar years (D4 L2), winning 2-1 at Watford in 2017.
  • This is the fourth consecutive calendar year that Reading are playing their final game away from home, with the Royals unbeaten in their previous three (W1 D2).

Odds correct at 16:58 GMT 29/12/20

Follow Sporting Life on social - find us on or tweet

Related football content

Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit .

Further support and information can be found at and