After a brief break for the FA Cup, we have a full EFL slate once more, and Matthew O’Regan is back with some previews from the best of Saturday’s action in the EFL Championship, League One and League Two.
With this being a five-fold Acca, too, Paddy’s footy acca betting offer kicks in, and we’ll get our stake back if just one leg lets us down.
EFL Saturday Betting Tips
12:30pm Salford v Carlisle – Salford to win
3:00pm Norwich v Bristol City – Borja Sainz to score
3:00pm Leeds v QPR – Joel Piroe to Score
3:00pm Wigan v Wycombe – Wycombe over 1.5 goals
3:00pm MK Dons v Swindon – MK Dons to win
Salford v Carlisle – Salford to win
League Two match at the Peninsula Stadium, Salford
12:30pm
Salford are now in their sixth season in League Two and are aiming to finally gain promotion to continue their meteoric rise.
The Ammies started the season slowly but are now four unbeaten and sit 12th in the league, just six points off the automatic promotion places.
With just 16 goals conceded, Salford boasts an impressive defensive record but have found goals hard to come by. However, Karl Robinson’s side have improved in recent weeks, scoring in their last eight games, including two goals in each of their last four games.
23rd-place Carlisle are the visitors, with the Cumbrians looking to avoid back-to-back relegations. A poor start to the season saw legendary manager Paul Simpson dismissed, with Mike Williamson, who was on the brink of the sack at MK Dons, appointed.
The 41-year-old has struggled in charge, losing seven and drawing two of his nine games in charge. Williamson has tried to implement his possession football at Brunton Park, but it has failed to materialise so far.
Carlisle have been poor on the road this season, losing five of their seven away games. They face a tough task on Saturday at an inform Salford.
Norwich v Bristol City – Borja Sainz to score
Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich
3:00pm
12th-place Norwich City hosts 11th-place Bristol City at Carrow Road in what should be an entertaining game.
After a dismal playoff showing, David Wagner was dismissed as Norwich manager, and exciting manager Johannes Hoff Thorup was hired as his replacement.
As expected, the start to the season has been inconsistent, with the Canaries winning four, drawing six, and losing four of their 14 games. One thing that has remained consistent is Borja Sainz’s form.
The 23-year-old was slow to adapt to the Championship last year after arriving from Turkish side Giresunspor, scoring six goals in 35 Championship games.
Sainz has found a new lease of life this season and has cemented himself as the best player in the league, scoring 11 goals in 14 starts. The Spaniard is averaging 0.80 goals, 3.12 shots, and 1.31 on target per 90. The league’s top scorer looks good value to score against a Bristol City side who have kept just three clean sheets this season and conceded in six/seven away games.
Leeds v QPR – Joel Piroe to score
Championship match at Elland Road, Leeds
3:00pm
Odds-on favourites Leeds United host lowly QPR at Elland Road in what should be a big mismatch. While The Whites are too short to back as a single, delving deeper into the goalscorer market.
After 44 goals in two seasons for Swansea, Joel Piroe was signed by Leeds. However, he was disappointing in his opening season, scoring just 14 times. The Dutchman has had to bide his time to break into the side this year, with Mateo Joseph preferred to start the season.
Piroe has now started seven goals, scoring five goals for an average of 0.69 goals per 90. The 25-year-old has maintained his high shot volume, averaging 2.89 shots and 1.10 shots on target per 90.
QPR have started the season as poorly as last year and are now 11 games without a win. Marti Cifuentes side have struggled defensively and have kept just two clean sheets all season.
Wigan v Wycombe – Wycombe over 1.5 goals
League One match at The Brick Community Stadium, Wigan
3:00pm
Wycombe have emerged as the surprise package in League One and sit top of the table, ahead of heavily bankrolled Wrexham and Birmingham.
While Matt Bloomfield has been linked with the now-vacant Coventry job, the 40-year-old has done a stellar job at Wycombe and has changed many people’s perceptions of the club. Gareth Ainsworth was often lambasted for his pragmatic, unfashionable style of football, while Bloomfield has the Choirboys playing exciting, front-foot football.
With 31 goals scored, Wycombe are the league’s top scorers and have scored 2+ goals in 12/13 games, only failing in the 1-0 win against Crawley. Fresh off of a 0-5 win at Stockport, they will be full of confidence away at a Wigan side without a win in four league games.
While the Latics have the second-best defensive record in the league, their watertight defence has been breached with ease in recent weeks, conceding two goals in their three recent league games against Cambridge, Mansfield and Blackpool.
MK Dons v Swindon – MK Dons to win
League One match at Stadium MK, Milton Keynes
3:00pm
MK Dons were the favourites to win the league but started disappointingly. Manager Mike Williamson was on the brink of losing his job before Carlisle surprisingly paid compensation to hire the 41-year-old.
The Dons are ambitious and appointed Crawley manager Scott Lindsey, who has performed brightly so far. In his seven league games, MK have lost just once, winning four games as they have climbed up to eighth. They are fresh off three straight league wins, knowing another will take them into the playoff places.
On paper, they are arguably the best side in the league, and their recent performances are slowly starting to reflect this.
Swindon are another side embarking on a new era of management, with the enigmatic Ian Holloway set to manage his first league game. The Robins are languishing just outside the relegation zone and have won just twice this season. Saturday’s game at the Stadium MK sees a mismatch in terms of form, and the hosts look good value to make it four straight wins.
EFL Saturday Betting Tips
12:30pm Salford v Carlisle – Salford to win
3:00pm Norwich v Bristol City – Borja Sainz to score
3:00pm Leeds v QPR – Joel Piroe to Score
3:00pm Wigan v Wycombe – Wycombe over 1.5 goals
3:00pm MK Dons v Swindon – MK Dons to win
- If you fancy putting these four games into an accumulator, it pays out at a whopping 45/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*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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