Nottingham Forest v Bristol City: Bristol City Win
These two sides could not have started their campaigns in more contrasting style. Nottingham Forest’s hangover after bottling qualification for the playoffs last season seems to be the equivalent of an all-day bender that you’re still feeling three days later.
They’ve lost their three opening league games this season without scoring – and those defeats were not at the hands of particularly strong opposition.
The bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Robins clearly opted for an early night are they’re flying with a perfect record in The Championship this term. Like Forest they’ve not faced the cream of The Championship yet, but at least they’re beating these sides and Bristol City are perched in second place at this early stage.
There’s nothing in the form of these two sides for us not to expect a Bristol City Win here. Dean Holden’s men have been dispatching the lesser sides and, at the moment, Forest fit firmly into that category.
MK Dons v Ipswich: Ipswich to Win
Death, taxes and Ipswich winning League One games 2-0. Paul Lambert’s men made it three wins on the bounce by that very scoreline last weekend as they brushed Rochdale aside to keep hold of their top spot.
I was tempted to back more of the same this time with Ipswich to win and Under 2.5 goals or Ipswich to Win to Nil but, as we’re finding some good value this week with three away selections, I’m happy just to take Ipswich to Win.
For MK Dons, they’ve not started well and picked up their only point so far in the 1-1 draw with Doncaster on the opening day.
Since then they’ve lost to Lincoln and, much more worryingly for them, Crewe, and have given us nothing to fear backing our selection in this game.
Blackpool v Lincoln: Lincoln Win
You might be put off backing Lincoln on Saturday because the last time you heard about them they were being battered 7-2 by Liverpool in a game that resembled more of a Goal Of The Season montage than a Carabao Cup clash.
But fear not, they are flying in the league and claimed an impressive 2-0 over promotion hopefuls Charlton last time out.
That Liverpool game was an aberration which can easily have a line drawn through it as Lincoln are a very different beast among their equals.
They’ve picked up three straight wins and sit behind Ipswich on goal difference alone. Blackpool are probably better than their league position suggests but when The Imps get on a roll they’re hard to stop, so we’re happy to back the Lincoln Win at really, really nice odds.
Crawley v Southend: Crawley Win
This one feels like we’re betting against Southend rather than backing Crawley but the West Sussex side have almost as much going for them as United do against them.
It’s early days but it feels like the trap door could just be starting to creak open for Southend who are a shambles both on and off the pitch, while the other Red Devils have been finding a way to get the job done and are fourth with one loss and two wins.
That defeat came against Port Vale who look a very good League Two side and might go close to promotion this year while they beat Scunthorpe and Oldham by a one-goal margin on the last two Saturdays.
I think that gap will be bigger here and with plenty of other value on offer this weekend, a Crawley Win here feels like a safe bet that’s well worth including to bump our price up a bit.
Our EFL 4-fold for Saturday’s 3pm games
Nottingham Forest v Bristol City: Bristol City Win
MK Dons v Ipswich: Ipswich Win
Blackpool v Lincoln: Lincoln Win
Crawley v Southend: Crawley Win
- All odds correct at time of publication and they’re always up to date on our snazzy betting widgets
More tips
- Our 19/1 acca for Saturday’s footy across Europe
- Our trader’s 3/1 double for Saturday in the Premier League
- Werner to star for Chelsea in storming of the Palace at 12.30pm
- Toffees to come unstuck as Brighton head north to Everton in 3pm kick-off
- Raheem to put in Sterling show as Man City head to Leeds
- Wilson the talk of the Toon in our 18/1 Same Game Multi for Burnley clash
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