Our resident EFL tipster Matthew O’Regan is back for the second week with his new-look column, with his favourites and underdog trebles, as well as his NAP, next best and longshot pick for Saturday’s 3pm games across the leagues.
And, to give you a little more pep in your step, we’ve given this weekend’s favourites treble the Power Price treatment!
Favourites Treble
Charlton v Exeter – Charlton to win
Huddersfield v Peterborough – Huddersfield to win
Notts County v Tranmere – Notts County to win
Underdog Treble
Swansea v Blackburn – Blackburn to win
Shrewsbury v Stevenage – Shrewsbury to win
Newport County v Cheltenham – Newport County to win
- Saturday’s underdog treble adds up to 21/1. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Best Bets
NAP: Bradford v MK Dons – Bradford to win
Next Best: Cambridge v Stockport – Stockport to win
Long Shot: Norwich v Stoke – Josh Sargent to score 2+ goals
Favourites treble
Charlton v Exeter – Charlton to win
Charlton come into this game with Exeter after a 1-0 loss at runaway leaders Birmingham but can take solace in their performances, coupled with their recent rich vein of form. This thwarted a seven-game unbeaten run that saw them win six games, including their last five home games.
The Addicks have also won six of their last seven games at home, with a 0-0 draw against Reading a blight on the record.
Exeter are the visitors to the South-East. A 0-1 win at Cambridge ended an eight-game winless streak in the league. The Grecians sit just seven points clear of relegation, so they will be anxiously checking their shoulders ahead of the run-in.
Only Bristol Rovers and Reading have a higher xGA this season than Gary Caldwell’s side, only Burton and Northampton have generated more xG – a sign that the Grecians are overachieving in 16th.
As Charlton chase the playoffs, their form at the Valley will be imperative—a ground where they have conceded just 11 goals in 16 games and averaged two points per game.
Huddersfield v Peterborough – Huddersfield to win
Huddersfield won just their second game of 2025 when they came from behind to beat Barnsley 1-2 on the weekend. Michael Duff’s side had previously gone five games without winning but now come into this after successive wins, after grinding to a 0-1 win at Shrewsbury.
They have been solid but unspectacular at home, picking up 28 points from 16.
Peterborough have been the shock story of League One for all the wrong reasons. Despite starting the season as one of the promotion favourites, Posh sit just two points clear of safety, winning just one of their last 12 league games.
Their defensive fragilities (58 goals conceded) coupled with the injury to top scorer Kwame Poku has seen them tumble down the league at a rate of knots with relegation a real possibility.
With just nine points away from home and two points from their last 12 on their travels, Darren Ferguson’s side are up against it against a strong Huddersfield outfit.
Notts County v Tranmere – Notts County to win
While the 1-1 draw at home to Colchester may have dampened Notts County’s spirits, the Magpies are still in prime position for automatic promotion. They are one point off third place with a game in hand.
Stuart Maynard’s side have been strong at home, picking up 28 points from 15 games, conceding just nine goals.
Tranmere look to be hurtling to the National League for the first time since 2018 after a turgid run of form that has seen them beat only basement boys Carlisle in their last 12.
Nigel Adkins’ side have found it tough away from home, losing their last nine on the bounce, taking just eight points from 15 and scoring just nine.
Favourites Treble Power Price
Underdog treble
Swansea v Blackburn – Blackburn to win
One win from ten, including seven losses from eight, saw Luke Williams dismissed as Swans manager. A strong start to the season was derailed when the 44-year-old hinted his interest in the vacant West Brom job, losing the trust of the fans and owners. Sat just eight points clear of safety, things could soon turn toxic at the Swansea.com Stadium if they start slowly.
Blackburn, like Swansea, are without a permanent head coach after John Eustace departed for lowly Derby County. The Rovers players have displayed tremendous togetherness, recording back-to-back wins (0-2 at West Brom and 2-0 at home to Plymouth.)
The visitors sit fifth and know a win against a depleted Swansea will extend their gap over the chasing pack.
Shrewsbury v Stevenage – Shrewsbury to win
Both Shrewsbury and Stevenage endured a 0-1 home defeat in midweek, with Shrewsbury losing to Huddersfield and Stevenage losing to Burton.
While a defeat was probably expected for Shrewsbury against Huddersfield, Stevenage will be disappointed not to beat ten-man Burton, making it four league games without a win.
Burton’s defensive resilience highlighted Alex Revell’s side’s struggles in front of goal. Boro’s 29 goals are the second-fewest in the league. They have picked up just 14 points from 14 games and scored eight goals away from home.
Shrewsbury were three games unbeaten before narrow home defeats to Bolton and Huddersfield. Salop has improved drastically under Gareth Ainsworth, and Shropshire is really believing that the 51-year-old can steer them clear of relegation.
Newport County v Cheltenham – Newport County to win
Newport County have eradicated any relegation fears with 14 points from their last six, including taking five points from promotion hopefuls Salford, Bradford, and Crewe.
While the Exiles faithful were nervous about relegation, logic dictated that they would be fine, given the predicament those at the bottom are in and the forthcoming home games against struggling sides.
Nelson Jardim’s side rank ninth for home points, taking 27 from 15, including wins against strugglers Barrow, Morecambe and Carlisle in recent weeks.
Cheltenham are undergoing a mini-renaissance in 2025, owing to a tactical tweak by Michael Flynn. Despite this, the Robins are without a win in seven on their travels, failing to score in their last three.
This run may be extended to four against a Newport side who have conceded just once in their last five games.
- Saturday’s underdog treble adds up to 21/1 CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
NEWPORT, WALES – MARCH 19: A general view of Rodney Parade, home stadium of Newport County Football Club and Newport Gwent Dragons Rugby Union Club is pictured amongst the surrounding housing on March 20, 2020 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Nap, Next Best and Longshot
While underdogs and goal scorers are fun bets to place on the weekend, NAPS and Next Bests are the bread and butter. For good measure, I have thrown in a longshot, too.
NAP: Bradford v MK Dons – Bradford to win
Despite defeat in the playoff semi-finals last year, optimism was high for MK Dons. However, a positive campaign has yet to materialise, with the Dons languishing in 16th.
Scott Lindsay was brought in mid-season but has yet to change MK’s fortunes, with his side winning just one of the last nine. Away from home, Lindsay’s side have picked up 14 points and face an arduous task against a resilient Bradford side.
The Bantams sit in the final promotion spot and are edging closer to a return to League One after a six-year hiatus. Graham Alexander has his side hard to beat, conceding the second-fewest goals so far.
Bradford also boasts the best PPG at home in the league, taking 39 points from 16 at Valley Parade, winning their last eight on the bounce in front of their fans.
Next Best: Cambridge v Stockport – Cambridge to win
Gary Monk was dismissed as Cambridge manager with his side rock bottom of the League One table. Since the 26th of October, the U’s have won just three times – coming at home to struggling sides Burton, Shrewsbury and Mansfield.
Cut eight points adrift from safety at the bottom of the table, Cambridge face an almighty battle to survive.
Visiting The Abbey Stadium is a Stockport side who have won six of their last seven, with a last-minute Bristol Rovers equaliser the only blemish on the record.
David Challinor’s side are chasing a second successive promotion and looked primed to do so, sat just three points off the automatic positions.
The Hatters ran out 2-0 winners when the sides met in August, so a similar scoreline would not be a surprise on Saturday.
Long Shot: Norwich v Stoke – Josh Sargent to score 2+ goals
12th-place Norwich host 19th-place Stoke at Carrow Road. The Canaries have been potent in front of goal this season, scoring 51 goals – a total only bettered by leaders Leeds United. 37 of these goals have come in 16 home games, with Johannes Hoff Thorup putting real emphasis on attack.
Josh Sargent’s return from injury has been a big boost in recent weeks, with the American scoring in four of his five starts back.
The 24-year-old is averaging 0.54 goals per 90 and will fancy his chances of scoring a few against a pitiful Stoke defence.
Saturday’s EFL Betting Tips
Favourites Treble
Charlton v Exeter – Charlton to win
Huddersfield v Peterborough – Huddersfield to win
Notts County v Tranmere – Notts County to win
Underdog Treble
Swansea v Blackburn – Blackburn to win
Shrewsbury v Stevenage – Shrewsbury to win
Newport County v Cheltenham – Newport County to win
- Saturday’s underdog treble adds up to 21/1 CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Best Bets
NAP: Bradford v MK Dons – Bradford to win
Next Best: Cambridge v Stockport – Stockport to win
Long Shot: Norwich v Stoke – Josh Sargent to score 2+ goals
- 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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