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AS teams prepare for their final match prior to a traditionally packed Christmas schedule this weekend, we’ve reached a stage in the season where clubs begin to focus on realistic objectives such as gaining promotion, winning silverware, or else, like West Bromwich Albion, harbouring serious European ambitions.

In order to strengthen those targets Albion must overhaul Manchester United on Saturday teatime, a task they executed last term when winning 1-0 and were unlucky not to complete the season before when conceding a last-minute goal and drawing 2-2. Yet despite this, the Baggies are bet365’s 9/2 underdogs to secure a second successive home win over United, although the draw at 3/1 (William Hill) cannot be ignored. Indeed, most bookies rate a 1-1 outcome higher than any other score, with Unibet pricing the result at 6/1.

The match stats team at bettingexpert.com remind us that three of the last ten league contests between Birmingham City and Brighton, also in action at 5.30pm on Saturday, have ended all-square, while the other seven have been settled by a single goal. This is a fixture which could be justifiably described as ‘traditionally tight’.

Despite enjoying home advantage, City start the contest as Paddy Power’s 23/10 outsiders, while the prospect of them winning by a one-goal margin is priced at 10/3 by Betway.

Brighton, 7/2 second favourites (188bet) to claim the title, are 13/10 (Coral) to win, but given how close this duel has been, Betfred’s 3/1 for it to end as a score draw cannot be discounted.

To date, Wolves’ season has been unpredictable and it would be a brave man who bet against them winning at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, even though they’ve lost only once on their last four visits to the City Ground.

Bullish punters might be tempted to take advantage of BetVictor’s 4/1 for Wolves to win both halves, although more circumspect folks might also fancy Skybet’s 4/6 posted in favour of both teams scoring. With this in mind, Unibet offer 2/1 against the game’s opening goal arriving inside 15 minutes.

Paddy Power consider Wolves a 13/4 shot to win without conceding, while Ladbrokes offer an attractive 9/5 against them winning. Both fixtures finished 1-1 last term and another is rated an 11/2 shot by Coral.

On Sunday, Villa line up against QPR at Loftus Road for a fixture they start as Marathonbet’s 11/8 favourites to win – Rangers are 5/2 underdogs (Winner.com). If Villa are to push for a play-off berth, this is a match they should seek to win.

Odds courtesy of customisable odds comparison site www. smartbets.com - get the best free tips at www.bettingexpert.com