SkyBet: Bank on Owls striker Mellor to hit the target at Hillsborough

United have won three and drawn one of their last four away games, scoring plenty of goals in the process, and have an excellent chance of victory against a team who have won only twice in the last nine.

Barnsley have won their last three matches and are 6-5 to make it four in a row by beating Watford at Oakwell.

Watford have slipped down the table after losing their last four away games – conceding 13 goals in the process – but they remain the top-scoring away team in the division, so they will pose a threat.

There have been five goals in each of the Hornets' last four away matches, so take a punt on over 3.5 goals in this one, available at a tempting 9-4.

Bristol City's fortunes have improved thanks to four wins in seven games and they can collect three points once more when Sheffield United visit Ashton Gate.

City suffered enormously from Steve Coppell's shock resignation in August but now appear to have turned a corner.

Doncaster Rovers continue to impress and they can take advantage of a vulnerable Crystal Palace side at Selhurst Park. The Eagles have lost 11 of their 18 games in the Championship.

Pre-season title-favourites Middlesbrough find themselves in the relegation zone ahead of their meeting with Hull City, who are looking for a third straight win. Like Palace, Boro have lost 11 of their 18 games, so we should see some interest in the Tigers at 12-5, but this match is best avoided.

Everything finally looks to be falling into place for Sheffield Wednesday, who have won their last five matches in all competitions and banged in 18 goals.

Neil Mellor has scored seven of those and has a good chance of being on target as Northampton visit Hillsborough.

At 4-9, the Owls will be a popular selection on the weekend accumulators, even though Northampton went to Anfield in the Carling Cup and won on penalties.

Huddersfield were big winners over MK Dons in midweek, but recent defeats to Oldham and Exeter show they remain inconsistent. They should have enough to see off League Two side Macclesfield at the Galpharm and many punters will see this as a home banker.

However, the Cheshire club have lost only twice in eight away games and have enough about them to make this awkward.

York City's reward for a fine win over Rotherham is a short trip to Darlington, who are two places and two points above them in the Conference. Darlington do not score many at home and York have conceded once in their last five, so this is likely to be as tight as their September draw when the two sides met at Bootham Crescent. Get on the draw.

This weekend's best betting...

Barnsley v Watford – Over 3.5 goals to be scored.

Bristol City to beat Sheffield United.

Doncaster Rovers to beat Crystal Palace.

Leeds United to beat Reading.

Darlington v York – Draw.

Sheffield Wednesday v Northampton – Neil Mellor to score.