* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
6pm: Gillingham v Lincoln – Lincoln to Win To Nil
The all-action Gillingham host 2nd-placed Lincoln in Friday’s televised League One contest. The Gills are 13th in the third tier with 34 points from 25 games. The Imps are only trail Hull at the summit on goal difference and have 48 points from their 24 games.
Lincoln have been absolutely lethal on their travels this season and have won eight, drawn two and lost just once – which all means that only Portsmouth have a better away record than them – again – by goal difference. Given their overall league position, it’s probably no surprise to see Gillingham sitting 14th in the home record table.
Make no bones about it; Lincoln should win this game. They love a good away day and take on Gillingham who have lost more games (six) at home than they’ve won (five) this season.
Friday 6pm: Gillingham v Lincoln
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
Add in the fact that Lincoln will be desperate to get straight back on the horse after losing to Doncaster 1-0 at the weekend and it’s looking like a tough assignment for Steve Evans’ side this Friday. In terms of recent form, last weekend’s loss was Lincoln’s first defeat in seven games with only one draw interrupting their five other wins in that run.
Lincoln’s last five losses have all come at home and they’ve won five one the bounce on the road. In those five Both Teams To Score has only come off once and they’ve only conceded twice in their last eight away from Sincil Bank.
Gillingham have suddenly discovered their shooting boots and have fired eight in their last three games, but before that their record was pretty poor with 13 goals in the 10 games prior. We have to be with Lincoln here and, to juice up the price a bit, we’re backing Gillingham to revert to the mean and for the Imps to keep up their impressive away defensive record with Lincoln to Win To Nil.
MORE TIPS:
- Our 7/2 away team daily double for Friday night
- Check out our 15/2 treble for Friday’s European footy
8.15pm: Swansea v Norwich – The Draw
Friday’s late game sees two of the best teams in the Championship going at it and both are, by-and-large, in really good form. These two have lost just two games between them in their last 20 games combined, with Swansea winning six and drawing the other three. Norwich have an identical record but have struggled a tad recently.
They’re top of the league but have recorded two goalless draws in their last two Championship outings. The Swans won last time out and recorded a credible draw with the unbeatable Brentford the game before that. Friday’s hosts have the 5th best home record in the division while Norwich have the best away record.
Friday 8.15pm: Swansea v Norwich
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
This is seriously tough to call and The Canaries’ consecutive goalless draws has thrown a spanner in the works as it’s so out of character for them, with their last 0-0 coming 16 games back. On a similar note, Swansea have been getting the job done without setting the world alight and the three goals they scored last time out against Rotherham was the first time they scored more than two in a single league game all season.
Both of these generally keep it pretty tight and there’s really not much between them. However, the key in this contest looks to be that Swansea have been brushing aside the lesser lights and settling for a point against the other sides jostling for position at the top of the table, as their last three most recent stalemates against Brentford, Reading and Bournemouth attest.
Norwich’s little wobble recently suggests they’ll be happy to steady the ship and look to get out of The Liberty Stadium with a point, just to keep Swansea at arm’s length if nothing else. Swansea’s home form against the top sides and Norwich’s slight drought in front of goal is pointing me towards The Draw being the value in this one.
Tips for Friday’s EFL clashes
6pm: Gillingham v Lincoln – Lincoln to Win To Nil
8.15pm: Swansea v Norwich – The Draw
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
READ MORE:
- Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea special bets: Gone by Xmas or set for European glory?
- Premier League sack race odds: Latest on who could be shown the door next
- Phil Thompson: Gerrard would relish battling Benitez at Celtic – he’d be a huge coup
The Paddy Power Guide To Responsible Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
