It’s the final round of matches before the turkey gets carved and it’s a busy Saturday up and down the country.
EFL tipster Matthew O’Regan has dived into the Championship and League Two and found four value picks for Saturday’s action.
EFL Acca tips
Cardiff v Sheffield United – Sheffield United to win
Millwall v Blackburn – Blackburn to win
Port Vale v Carlisle – Port Vale to win
Swindon v Grimsby – Grimsby Draw no bet
- An Accumulator with these bets pays at approximately 22/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Cardiff v Sheffield United – Sheffield United to win
A 90th-minute Stoke equaliser made it seven games without a win for Cardiff. They now face a tough task at home to table toppers Sheffield United.
Omer Riza was recently made permanent manager after a less than encouraging spell as interim. The 45-year-old has struggled thus far, and it looks to be a long relegation battle, with his side sitting one place outside the relegation places.
This run of seven games without a win has seen The Bluebirds lose all three home games in front of sparse crowds who have seemingly had enough this season – something that will greatly encourage the travelling Sheffield United fans who are bound to come in numbers.
After a drab season that saw them relegated from the Premier League with minimal fight, Chris Wilder had a huge clear-out of the underperforming team and is reaping the rewards thus far. The Blades sit atop the Championship, three points clear of title favourites, Leeds.
His side also boasts the second-best defensive record in the league, conceding just 11 times and keeping five clean sheets in their last seven. With the hosts seven without a win and the visitors unbeaten in ten, the value certainly lies with the away side.
Millwall v Blackburn – Blackburn to win
The vastly popular Neil Harris made the shock decision to step down as Millwall manager, leaving his side 13th in the league after three consecutive 1-0 losses. The Lions are now six without a win and have slid down the table out of playoff contention. Their big issue has been scoring goals, scoring just 20 in as many games—only Cardiff (21st), Plymouth (19th), and Hull (19) have scored fewer.
Visiting the Den on Saturday are the most in-form side in the league, Blackburn. John Eustace’s side have won six games on the bounce, keeping five clean sheets in the process, including against promotion hopefuls Leeds and Middlesbrough.
Blackburn now sit fifth in the league and boasts the fourth-best defensive record in the league. Only the top three have conceded less.
With a Millwall side so feeble in attack playing a Blackburn team that prides itself on defensive solidity, it could be a frustrating evening for the faithful at the Den.
Port Vale v Carlisle – Port Vale to win
After relegation from League One last season, Port Vale were instilled as one of the league’s favourites this time around.
Darren Moore’s side started in fine fettle but have dropped off in recent weeks. However, they still have the talent to defeat any team in the league.
Despite no win in four, The Valiants sit second in the league, behind table-toppers Walsall. Vale have perhaps been unfortunate in recent weeks, with their ten men conceding to draw to Crewe in the 92nd minute, as well as having a clear, legit goal not given against Bromley.
Moore is a manager who is often criticised for his tactics, but many are also full of praise for his man-management skills, with the 50-year-old a hugely popular figure amongst the players. In Ronan Curtis and George Byers, Vale have two of the most talented players in the league so will cause Carlisle issues.
The visitors have endured a torrid season as they sit bottom of the Football League. The Cumbrians are two points adrift and have the worst attacking record in the league. Legendary manager Paul Simpson was dismissed after a poor start and the owners made the bewildering decision to hire Mike Williamson – a manager who was struggling at MK Dons and on the brink of the sack.
Williamson has not done enough to ease relegation fears. The 41-year-old has won just three of his 16 games in charge, losing eight in the process. A smash-and-grab win at Salford was followed up by an away draw at Bromley and home draws to high-flying Doncaster and Crewe, before losing at home to Chesterfield. However, Williamson’s side were uninspiring in these games and face an arduous task against a Port Vale side teeming with talent.
If Carlisle are to survive, they will have to improve their away record, which is the joint worst in the league. A journey to second placed Port Vale looks challenging, given the circumstances.
Swindon v Grimsby – Grimsby Draw no bet
Swindon are another side languishing towards the drop as they sit 22nd. Ian Holloway was surprisingly appointed as the new manager, but his appointment is yet to inspire the Robins.
Under the guise of the flamboyant 61-year-old, Swindon have taken just five points in seven league games, with Holloway having to be restrained from his own supporters after they voiced their displeasure at full-time of the 1-0 loss at Bradford.
Holloway was unhappy with the criticism, but his side were tepid, registering just one open play shot, with all three shots outside the box accumulating for a measly 0.08 xG. If Swindon get off to a slow start on Saturday, the County Ground could turn toxic once more.
Visiting the South-West is Grimsby. The Mariners have picked up seven more points on their travels than at home, so will be looking forward to this. David Artell’s side are unbeaten in their last seven away games, winning six of these. The 54-year-old is happy for his side to have less possession and frustrate teams, so Saturday’s match-up is perfect for him.
If Grimsby can keep it level for as long as possible, the home crowd may become more and more frustrated, which will suit the visitors to a tee as they look to extend their impressive away unbeaten run.
EFL betting tips
Cardiff v Sheffield United – Sheffield United to win
Millwall v Blackburn – Blackburn to win
Port Vale v Carlisle – Port Vale to win
Swindon v Grimsby – Grimsby Draw no bet
- An Accumulator with these bets pays at approximately 22/1 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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