Football Tips: Our 4 best bets for Friday’s televised EFL games

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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A potent combination of the Easter weekend and the dying embers of the international break means we’re set for a bumper list of four live games from across the EFL on TV on Good Friday. League One’s Doncaster and Charlton kick us off with League Two title challengers Cheltenham and Tranmere taking up the baton at 3pm.

It’s off to The Championship for our final pair of games with Barnsley v Reading at 5.30pm and Birmingham hosting Swansea rounding off the action at 8pm. Easter weekend always signals the start of the run in for me and, with plenty on the line in all of these games, here’s a best bet for each one to keep you in the thick of the action all day long.

12.30pm: Doncaster v Charlton – Charlton to Win

Doncaster and Charlton are in danger of seeing their seasons petering out after both had realistic hopes of an automatic promotion shot at different points of the campaign. Donny are 7th heading into Friday’s game with The Addicks two places and one point behind them.

Friday 12.30pm: Doncaster v Charlton
Sky Sports Football

These two are now targeting the playoffs and both are stuttering a little. Doncaster haven’t won in five and are struggling following the departure of Darren Moore to Sheffield Wednesday. The visitors have kicked on since Nigel Adkins replaced Lee Bowyer and it’s worth backing that trend to continue with a Charlton Win at a nice price.

3pm: Cheltenham v Tranmere – The Draw

A cracker in League Two sees 2nd placed Cheltenham hosts the fast-rising Tranmere who are up to 3rd and now occupy the final automatic promotion spot heading into the business end of the season. The Robins will definitely be looking over their shoulders with three wins and three losses in their last six.

Friday 3pm: Cheltenham v Tranmere
Sky Sports Football

Rovers are on the charge and have only lost once in their last nine, drawing three and winning five. They have shared the spoils in three of their last four and with things getting ever tighter at the top you suspect both will take The Draw here and live to fight another day.

5.30pm: Barnsley v Reading – Barnsley to Win

Barnsley and Reading have been two of the stories of The Championship this year with The Tykes building on their great escape last season to launch a playoff charge this time around. Reading, on the other hand, are clinging on to promotion hopes after an incredible start.

Friday 5.30pm: Barnsley v Reading
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football

The hosts suffered a shock loss to Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, their first in 13 games. They had won nine of their last 10 before that. The Royals are winless in three and, frankly, haven’t faced the league’s leading lights over that run. we’ll forgive The Tykes their loss last time out and have to be on the Barnsley Win on Friday.

8pm: Birmingham v Swansea – Swansea to Win

Swansea could be in serious danger of messing this up. Steve Cooper’s crew have lost their last two and the gap between themselves at Watford in 2nd is now six points, but the Swans do have a game in hand. This is now must win against a Birmingham side who are hovering above the drop zone.

Friday 8pm: Birmingham v Swansea
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football

21st-placed City are three points clear of Rotherham in 22nd but The Millers still have a very-dangerous looking four games in hand over the Midlands giants. The Blues have won once in their last five while Swansea have won two, lost two and drawn one. The visitors need to get themselves back on the horse and Friday’s opponents provide the perfect opportunity to do just that. We can’t look past a Swansea Win here.

Friday’s EFL tips

12.30pm: Doncaster v Charlton – Charlton to Win
3pm: Cheltenham v Tranmere – The Draw
5.30pm: Barnsley v Reading – Barnsley to Win
8pm: Birmingham v Swansea – Swansea to Win

These four selections in an acca-insured 4 fold will give you odds of 44/1 with Paddy Power.

ACCA INSURANCE

If one leg of your 4+ fold Acca lets you down, you get up to £/€10 back as a free bet. Customers can qualify for 1 Acca Insurance per day up to £/€10. The free bets will be credited by 12pm the following day.

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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