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THE match stats team at bettingexpert.com have unearthed an interesting fact that augurs well for Barnsley fans prior to Saturday’s contest against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s: not one of the last seven meetings between the sides have produced a home win, a run which perhaps shows Barnsley’s 7/2 price to win (188bet) in a different light.

Those mindful of underpinning their wager with an element of insurance may fancy the look of BetVictor’s 10/3 odds for the fixture to end as a score draw, or the 14/5 posted by 10bet against it finishing with honours even.

Birmingham moved into fourth place in the Championship table with a 2-1 win at Brentford last weekend. That performance, coupled with their decent home form (they’ve lost just once at St Andrew’s this term), accounts for their even money starting price (Coral) on Saturday. Betway’s 13/2 for Blues to record a 1-0 victory has proved popular.

Following their impressive win over Cardiff last week, Aston Villa moved to within four points of a play-off place and they’ll want to continue the momentum away to Leeds United.

However, the match stats team at bettingexpert.com point out that while on Villa are fourth in the current Championship form table, Leeds are sixth, a statistic which suggests that Saturday’s encounter will be close.

Indeed, Leeds kick off as Coral’s 9/5 favourites to win, with Villa Marathonbet’s 21/10 underdogs, while online bookie Matchbook.com post an eyecatching 23/10 about the stalemate.

Ladbrokes chalk up 7/2 for Villa to win by one goal, while bet365 mark 5/1 for a Villa win following a drawn opening half.

Watford, who won 1-0 on their visit to The Hawthorns last season, are sixth in a Premier League table based on the past half-dozen results, though they are Paddy Power’s 5/2 underdogs to repeat last term’s success. Following a run of nine league matches that has included just two defeats (to Liverpool and Manchester City), West Bromwich Albion are offered at 13/10 by Bwin.

The Baggies and Watford produced a single goal in 180 minutes of league football last term and few backers expect a festival of goals this weekend – as the skinny 4/6 chalked by Betfred in favour of the contest yielding fewer than 2.5 goals indicates. Albion are 6/4 (Unibet) to retain a clean sheet and 11/4 with 888sport to win without conceding; 188bet post 13/2 about them winning 1-0.

Odds supplied by www. smartbets.com, the customisable odds comparison site.