After a pause in the EFL because of the FA Cup, Matthew O’Regan is back with his EFL best bets, let’s get his best Championship & League One bets for Saturday’s action.
EFL Betting Tips
12:30pm Plymouth v QPR – Both teams to score, yes
3pm Sheffield United v Norwich – Sheffield United to win
3pm Birmingham v Exeter – Birmingham to win to nil
3pm Northampton v Lincoln – Northampton & draw
3pm Reading v Stockport – Reading to win
- An Acca with these bets pays at approximately 40/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Plymouth v QPR – Both teams to score, yes
Wayne Rooney was sacked on New Year’s Eve after a poor stint in charge in Devon. Kevin Nancekivell led Argyle to a 2-2 home draw against Bristol City before a 0-0 draw at fellow strugglers Stoke. A shock 0-1 win over Premier League Brentford in the FA Cup sparked jubilant celebrations in the way end, with suggestions that this is a squad united again.
Miron Muslic guided his new side to a 1-1 draw at home to Oxford in his first match, with the 42-year-old winning plaudits for his inspiring team talk when meeting the squad. The score draw now means 10 of the 12 games at Home Park have seen BTTS, with Argyle only failing to score once at home.
After Marti Cifuentes steered QPR to safety, hopes were high heading into this season. The R’s started the season poorly, languishing in the relegation zone, but have turned their fortunes around in recent weeks. Rangers now sit in 13th place, fewer points away from the playoffs than they are in the relegation zone.
Cifuentes finally has his team scoring goals, only failing to score once in their last nine games in all competitions. While BTTS has only landed in 5/12 away games, they should fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet against a side with the worst defensive record in the league.
Sheffield United v Norwich – Sheffield United to win
After a dismal season that saw them concede a record 104 goals and accumulate just 16 points, Sheffield United have started this season brilliantly and would be top without their points deduction.
The Blades’ form at Bramall Lane is to thank, winning nine and losing just one of their 12 games in front of their supporters – the only loss coming in a low-quality, cagey game against fellow promotion contenders Burnley.
Norwich sit 11th in Johannes Hoff Thorup’s first season after four league matches unbeaten. Like Sheffield United, The Canaries have been strong at home, picking up 23 points in 13. However, they have struggled away from home, winning just three times. Those wins came at Coventry in August, Derby in September, and Luton on New Year’s Day before the dismissal of the underperforming Rob Edwards.
Top scorer Borja Sainz is suspended, while key midfield cog Marcelino Nunez and Anis Ben Slimane remain out. With the visitors’ light in midfield, they may find it hard at a strong Sheffield United side.
Birmingham v Exeter – Birmingham to win to nil
Birmingham were heavy favourites for the League One title and look good value for their lead.
Chris Davies’ side are two points clear in first place with two games in hand. The Blues are still unbeaten at St. Andrews’, winning eight and drawing three home games. Five of their eight home games have seen Birmingham win to nil, conceding the fewest goals in League One.
Exeter are the visitors to the Midlands. Gary Caldwell’s side have had a steady start to the season, sat in 15th, but are now three league games without a win. The Grecians may struggle to create chances against a strong Birmingham side.
Northampton v Lincoln – Northampton & draw
Legendary manager Jon Brady was dismissed as Northampton manager after a disappointing start, with Kevin Nolan hired as his replacement. The 42-year-old started with a disappointing 4-1 loss at Reading but has since taken five points from the next three games, conceding just once.
The Cobblers have taken 15 points from 11 games at Sixfields, losing just four times. While they lost in December to Charlton, under interim manager Ian Sampson. Their last home loss before this came against Bolton at the start of October.
Saturday’s visitors are Lincoln, a side with just one win in 12, failing to score in their last four league games. Michael Skubula’s side have won just three times on their travels, with all three coming in their opening four away games, against struggling Burton and Cambridge as well as Stevenage. The Imps have failed to win away since September so they look a tad overpriced in the win market.
Reading v Stockport – Reading to win
Reading were rocked by the news that manager Ruben Selles would depart to join Championship side Hull. Noel Hunt was hired as the interim manager, and the Irishman has had a good start in the dugout and is now unbeaten in four league games, as well as holding Championship Burnley to a draw in the FA Cup after ninety minutes.
The Royals boast the second-best home record in the league, winning nine of their 11 games at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Stockport started their return to League One well but have tailed off in recent weeks, now sitting three points off Reading, having played a game extra.
The Hatters are five games without a win in all competitions. David Challinor’s side have struggled away from home, winning just three times on their travels. Their three wins on the road came in their first away game against Blackpool and away at struggling Shrewsbury and Burton.
The visitors are without an away win since November and will be up against it – especially in the absence of league top scorer Louie Barry who was recalled by parent club Aston Villa.
EFL Betting Tips
Plymouth v QPR – Both teams to score, yes
Sheffield United v Norwich – Sheffield United to win
Birmingham v Exeter – Birmingham to win & both teams to score, no
Northampton v Lincoln – Northampton, double chance
Reading v Stockport – Reading to win
- An Acca with these bets pays at approximately 40/1 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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