Weekend and Play-off Bets: City can pile on misery for QPR, Kike to blast Boro in front and it will be advantage Chesterfield

Liam Smith gives his tips on a selection of games from the Premier League, Championship, Leagues One and Two play-offs.

Chelsea v Liverpool – over 2.5 goals

Chelsea are on a high after capturing the Premier League title with a few games to go, while Liverpool once again try their best to push themselves into top-four contention. Brendan Rodgers will be looking to prove the doubters wrong with a victory against the champions. But the Reds will have to beware the threat of the Blues stars Didier Drogba and Eden Hazard, who will be relishing attacking Liverpool’s shaky backline. I can see plenty of action throughout this game and it being an exciting fixture.

Best odds – 11/10 (BetVictor).

Manchester City v QPR – 3-1 win in favour of City

Manchester City have finally hit a patch of form after three wins in a row but QPR are fighting for their lives as we come to the end of the Premier League season. Manuel Pellegrini is hoping to extend the gap between his men and Arsenal and Manchester United in the race for the runners-up spot. I can see this game being a one-sided affair as City running riot to earn a 3-1 victory and the goals coming from Sergio Aguero and Wilfried Bony.

Best odds – 21/2 (BetVictor).

Brentford v Middlesbrough – Kike first goalscorer

Middlesbrough were frustrated to drop out of the Championship top two in recent weeks but will be looking to get back to winning ways here. Brentford managed to climb into the play-offs on the last game of the season and come into the game as the form team. But I can see Boro getting an early start with a well-worked goal, coolly finished off by the ever-so-sharp Kike and, ultimately, going on to win the game.

Best Odds – 7/1 (Coral).

Plymouth Argyle v Wycombe Wanderers – draw

Wycombe fans were disappointed as Bury climbed into the League Two automatic promotion spots in the last game of the season. Following a season spent mostly in third position, poor form and injuries saw them fall away at the last minute. Plymouth, meanwhile, have hovered around the play-off spots all season but never really pushed for a shot at the top three. I can’t see there being much in this game, so I’m tipping a 1-1 draw with the Pilgrims to score first.

Best Odds – 12/5 (Bet365).

Chesterfield v Preston – Chesterfield to win by 2 goals

Some were surprised at the inclusion of Chesterfield in the League One play-offs but Paul Cook will be delighted with his team’s resurgence in what has been a very difficult season. Preston fell from second at the weekend as MK Dons took the runners-up spot with a very impressive win. The Spireites will have to overcome Play of the Month, Jermaine Beckford, but I reckon they’ll win by two goals in the fight for the Championship. 

Best odds – 8/1 (Paddy Power). You will receive £8 for every £1 you put on.

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