Barnsley v Bristol City: Bristol City Win
Bristol City have played seven games in all competitions this year, winning six and losing just one against Premier League outfit Aston Villa in the EFL Cup. They’re bang on it and will be fully expecting to extend that run against last year’s great-escape artists Barnsley at Oakwell on Saturday.
The Tykes have not been able to maintain 2019/20’s late-season form and have just one point from their four games. That one game without defeat was at home against Coventry in a 0-0 draw two games ago.
21st-placed Barnsley have lost to the high-flying Luton and Reading already and have proven they don’t quite have enough to complete with teams at the top end of the table. City are sitting atop the league and I fully expect them to still be there after a Robins win against the Tykes this weekend.
Middlesbrough v Reading: Reading and Draw
Reading also have a perfect record so far in the Championship, with four wins from four, seven goals scored and just one conceded. Derby, Barnsley, Cardiff and Watford have all fallen under the Royals’ juggernaut and next up are Middlesbrough at The Riverside on Saturday.
Boro have had a mixed start and find themselves in 10th, trailing their opponents this weekend by seven points and a goal difference of six already. Given their results, it already feels unlikely that they will be troubling the playoffs come May. They lost to Watford on the opening day before consecutive draws with Bournemouth and QPR meant they had to wait until their fourth game against struggling Barnsley to get a win.
Reading are on a roll and are, at the time of writing, way too big a price for the win this weekend. However, because all four of our selections this week are away teams, we’re looking to play it a bit safer and we can still get good odds on the double chance with Reading and Draw.
MK Dons v Gillingham: Gillingham Win
This game sees another early pacesetter travelling to a struggling side. I will admit that Gillingham have surprised me with their results so far and we’re going to be with them as they head to MK Dons.
MK are without a win, but did get a coupon-busting draw with Ipswich at the start of the month to pick up their second point of the season. They are still anchored to the bottom of League One and have another tricky test on Saturday with the division’s 5th-placed club coming to town.
The Gills have only dropped two points since their opening day defeat to Hull and Steve Evans’ side will be revelling in their role as early-season apple cart upsetters. They’re a combative bunch and I expect them to rough up Russell Martin’s men and claim an away win on Saturday.
Crawley Town v Morecambe: Morecambe and Draw
Morecambe got the job done for us last weekend and we’re backing them to keep their amazing run going here, well, kind of. I still find it hard to believe that the side who finished 22nd last season are top after five games this term.
However, Derek Adams is a wily old operator and whatever way he’s done it, he’s getting a fine tune out of The Shrimps. They’ve won four out of five in the league so far, with that incredible 5-0 loss at home to Cambridge the only blemish.
They face Crawley Town on Saturday who’s early progress has been brought to a staggering halt with one point from their last two, including a draw with Southend. Morecambe are slowly converting me into a believer, but doubts over their long-term prospects continue to linger. I’ll take the Double chance again here with Morecambe and Draw as we’ve picked some nice value elsewhere in this acca-insured four-fold.
Saturday’s EFL acca tips
Barnsley v Bristol City: Bristol City Win
Middlesbrough v Reading: Reading and Draw
MK Dons v Gillingham: Gillingham Win
Crawley Town v Morecambe: Morecambe and Draw
These four selections in an acca will give you odds of around 20/1 with Paddy Power.
*All odds correct at time of publication and they’re always up to date on our handy betting widget*
Saturday’s tips
- Phil Thompson’s Nifty Nap And 25/1 Double For Saturday’s Big Games
- 11/5 Ajeti To Hand Celtic The Spoils In Saturday’s Old Firm Derby
- It’s Going To Rain Goals In Saturday’s Merseyside Derby
- Slow-Starters Chelsea To Leave Southampton Feeling Blue
- We’re Backing Rashford To Strike Again At Newcastle On Saturday
- Arteta to turn the tables in 18/1 Same Game Multi for Man City v Arsenal
- A Goal Fest In The Milan Derby Kicks Off Our 23/1 Saturday Euro Acca
Sunday’s Tips
- Harry Kane can batter the West Ham target to land our Sunday bets
- A Jamie Vardy Shot Party Could Land Our 18/1 Same Game Multi
- Maupay To Lead The Charge As Brighton Ransack The Palace
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