Wednesday night features a tasty stack of games in the EFL Championship as the promotion race heads towards the final weeks of the campaign.
Our tipster, and resident EFL guru, James O’Rourke, has dived into the markets and found four value picks for a cheeky Wednesday Acca.
Wednesday’s EFL Acca tips
7:45pm Leeds United v Millwall – Leeds win to nil
7:45pm Portsmouth v Plymouth – Portsmouth (-1)
7:45pm Watford v Swansea – Double Chance: Swansea / Draw
8pm Stoke City v Blackburn – Sam Gallagher to score anytime
- An Acca with these selections pays at approximately 27/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
7:45pm Leeds United v Millwall – Leeds win to nil
EFL Championship match at Elland Road, Leeds
TV: Sky Sports+, 7:45pm
It was a rare defeat for Leeds on Sunday as they lost 1-0 to in-form Portsmouth. Even so, they were still dominant over the 90 minutes based on the 2.36 xG they created compared to the 0.66 of their opponents. They’ll be confident of clicking back into gear at Elland Road, where they possess the best home record in the Championship. Over their 18 home encounters this season, 14 have resulted in wins, of which 11 came while not conceding a goal in the process. Having just lost at the weekend, and knowing Millwall came and defeated them in the FA Cup not so long ago, this should further fuel the fire to put on a good show in their race for promotion.
Time is running out for Millwall to seriously drive their way into play-off contention, yet they still have hope. They got back to winning ways coming from behind to defeat Watford on Saturday, which was the perfect way to respond to back-to-back defeats. Alex Neil’s side are yet to face another of the top-four away from home, however, they have failed to score on trips to the likes of Coventry, West Brom and Middlesbrough. This will be their fourth game in March already and they really need to be at their best to get anything, including scoring a goal. The likelihood is they’ll fall short on the night.
7:45pm Portsmouth v Plymouth – Portsmouth (-1)
EEFL Championship match at Fratton Park, Portsmouth
TV: Sky Sports+, 7:45pm
Two teams with vastly contrasting levels of confidence go head-to-head on Wednesday. Fresh off recording their best result of the season in beating Leeds, Portsmouth go in search of a fifth victory in six games as rock bottom Plymouth head to Fratton Park. This an Argyle side winless in six, who have suffered back-to-back losses without scoring, both with hugely disappointing performances vs. Hull and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.
The need for points is certainly greater in Plymouth’s camp, but the last few showings does not scream of a side that believe they can get out of trouble. Defeat at Home Park on Saturday was particularly painful, which makes it all the more concerning as they head back on the road here. Miron Muslic’s team are winless away from home in league action, and are the only EFL side to be so.
Pompey’s home record is ranked top-half and they have recorded wins in nine of their previous 12 played in front of their own supporters. This includes beating not only the likes of Leeds, but also overcoming a -1 handicap against Stoke, Swansea, Bristol City, Preston and in-form Coventry within this period. As for Plymouth, ten of their 13 away setbacks have been by a two-goal margin or greater.
7:45pm Watford v Swansea – Double Chance: Swansea / Draw
EFL Championship match at Vicarage Road, Watford
TV: Sky Sports+, 7:45pm
It might look as though Swansea don’t have a lot to play for in the remainder of the Championship season, but there is a cause the team appear to be playing towards. Alan Sheehan is in interim charge – following the sacking of Luke Williams – and it’s fair to say the team are ‘playing for him’. It’s three unbeaten since Sheehan entered the dugout with zero goals conceded. He has made it no secret he’d like the job outright and the players are performing as if they want this to be the case. Wins over play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough and Blackburn, plus an away draw at FA Cup quarter finalists Preston is a great return, and they’ll believe they can further enhance that away at an inconsistent Watford.
The Hornets have play-off aspirations of their own and recent back-to-back wins over Middlesbrough and local rivals Watford raised hopes of a potential Premier League return. Then, despite taking the lead against Millwall at the weekend, they lost 2-1, which is unfortunately the kind of result that has cost them so often this season. Manager Tom Cleverley will be extremely worried knowing that loss means it is six defeats over their previous seven at Vicarage Road. They need results to try and extend the season and fans will expect a win over mid-table opposition. It could be a tricky atmosphere for the team to play in and Swansea are given a good chance of making the most of this to extend their unbeaten run to four.
8pm Stoke City v Blackburn – Sam Gallagher to score anytime
EFL Championship match at the Bet365 Stadium, Stoke
TV: Sky Sports Football/Main Event, 8pm
Mark Robins did not enjoy his return to Coventry on Saturday after conceding in the 97th minute to see his side lose 3-2, despite overturning a 2-0 deficit to level the match. The one positive from that clash was the impact of substitute Sam Gallagher, who helped himself to both goals. It has been another frustrating campaign for the striker on account of yet more injuries. Having made sub appearances in each of his last four games, including 45 minutes at Coventry, he should be in a position to start. Robins may give him an hour or so from the off to build on his brace from the weekend. Despite being out for most of the campaign, only three of his teammates have netted more league goals than the former Blackburn man.
Speaking of Blackburn, they are Stoke’s opponents here, so there will be additional motivation on the part of the 29-year-old to get one over his former employers. Rovers haven’t adjusted to life under Valeerien Ismael as well as they’d have hoped. In three games under the former West Brom and Barnsley manager, Blackburn have claimed one point out of a possible nine. Prior to this they have won two in a row, so the departure of John Eustace is still being strongly felt. They’ve kept just two clean sheets in their last 11 in all competitions, so Gallagher and co should get opportunities. The visitors have also conceded two or more goals in four of their last five played away from home, whilst also losing five in six on their travels.
Wednesday’s EFL betting tips
7:45pm Leeds United v Millwall – Leeds win to nil
7:45pm Portsmouth v Plymouth – Portsmouth (-1)
7:45pm Watford v Swansea – Double Chance: Swansea / Draw
8pm Stoke City v Blackburn – Sam Gallagher to score anytime
- An Acca with these selections pays at approximately 27/1 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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