Monday's Championship predictions: In-form duo can maintain play-off pursuit

- Preston have won four of their last five and host the Championship's worst travellers 
- Blackpool have earned only two points from last 11 away games 
- Recommended bets: 
- Preston to win 
- Luton -1 Handicap

Easter weekend concludes on Monday with a full set of fixtures from the Championship and there is plenty at stake as the season heads towards its finale.

With teams preparing for their second match in the space of just three days, there is a lot to consider and we have picked out two selections from Monday’s non-televised matches that could have a big say at both ends of the table.

Preston vs Reading (Monday, 3pm)

The stats

Preston have won four of their last five Championship matches to move to the verge of the playoff spots and they will be hoping to bolster their top-six aspirations against a relegation-threatened Reading.

Ryan Lowe’s men are unbeaten in five games at Deepdale and are hitting form at just the right time with the end of season in sight.

Reading are also in desperate need of points, but for very different reasons as they face the dreaded scrap for survival.

The Royals were inflicted with a six-point deduction last week and on the back of a seven-game winless run, now find themselves third from bottom in the Championship.

Paul Ince’s men are the division’s worst travellers with just 12 points collected from their 20 away games, while they have failed to win any of their last nine on the road.

Prediction

Preston may have profited from a soft schedule during their recent purple patch but they should have little to fear from the challenge of Reading.

The Lilywhites have won four of their last five games and each of those victories have come against teams that find themselves in the bottom seven.

That bodes well as Reading are in the relegation places while holding the worst away record in the division.

The Royals have collected just two points from their last nine away games, failing to score in five of those contests, and may be found wanting on the long journey to Lancashire.

Back Preston to win at 19/20 with LiveScore Bet.

Luton vs Blackpool (Monday, 3pm)

The stats

Luton look all but guaranteed of a place in the Championship playoffs but they will want to maintain their strong form and should extend their unbeaten run to nine at Blackpool’s expense.

The Hatters’ only defeat in their last 14 league games came against runaway leaders Burnley and they ought to be a cut above second-bottom Blackpool.

The visitors suffered a damaging 3-1 defeat at home to relegation rivals Cardiff on Good Friday, which was their third straight loss and leaves them seven points adrift of survival.

The Tangerines have lost each of their last seven away league games and may be anxious ahead of their showdown with promotion hopefuls Luton at Kenilworth Road.

Prediction

Rob Edwards has settled in effortlessly as Luton manager and the team that sit third in the Championship should have too many gears for a relegation-threatened Blackpool.

The Hatters have won their last three home league games to nil and with victory looking like a straightforward task, backing them to prevail by at least two goals may be the strategy.

Blackpool have collected just two points from their last 11 away games and they have conceded at least three goals in losing each of their last three Championship clashes, something Luton should be able to exploit.

Back Luton -1 goal on the handicap at 17/20 with LiveScore Bet.