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AS THE festive period stretches club resources to the limit, Blues travel to Barnsley on New Year’s Eve before hosting Brentford two days later. There’s little time for a seasonal breather.

However, while Oakwell could hardly be described as a fortress this term, it comes as no surprise to see Barnsley installed as Betfred’s 11/8 favourites; Blues start as 888sport’s 11/5 underdogs. At St Andrew’s last month, Barnsley secured a 3-0 victory over Saturday’s opponents, but such results are increasingly the exception rather than the rule.

Just prior to Christmas, the match stats team at bettingexpert.com published some fascinating (and useful) details regarding the frequency of match results. In the Championship, the most frequent score this season is a 2-1 home win; the next two most frequent are 1-1 and 1-0. In other words, there’s a one-inthree probability of one of these results occurring, which is why some savvy punters back all three whenever the shortest-priced outcome is at 6/1 or longer. Prior to Saturday’s duel, Marathonbet chalk 13/2 against it finishing 1-1.

Villa bucked the statistical trend when beating Cardiff 3-1 at Villa Park in late November and they head to Wales as Matchbook’s 17/10 shots to complete a league double over the struggling Bluebirds on Monday. Unibet post 15/2 against a 1-0 away win, while the draw is offered at 12/5 by 10bet. Elsewhere, Paddy Power quote Villa at 10/3 to win without conceding again, 188bet offer 10/3 about them enjoying a one goal victory and Skybet rate them at 6/5 to open the scoring.

Wolves, too, went against the statistical grain when they defeated QPR at Loftus Road earlier this month and they’re even money (William Hill) to score back-to-back victories over the London club on Saturday.

In the top flight, 1-1 results are, by some distance, the most frequently-recorded scoreline and backers may feel that West Brom would take that when they travel to Southampton.

The Saints are Betway’s 4/6 favourites, whereas Albion kick off priced as Ladbrokes’ massive 11/2 underdogs. The price looks a little overdone, especially if the Baggies score the first goal (9/4, 888sport). Two of the pair’s last eight meetings ended goalless – the likelihood of another 0-0 is rated a 9/1 shot by 188bet.

Matchbook post 12/1 against Albion winning 1-0, while Unibet’s 13/10 for the Baggies to win when handed a goal starting advantage will appeal to those anticipating another goalless outcome.

Odds courtesy of customisable odds comparison site www. smartbets.com – make sure you’re getting the best free tips online at www.bettingexpert.com