EFL WEEKEND: The EFL continues this weekend with some big encounters at the top of each of the three divisions. We preview four fixtures below, alongside some of our recommended BETDAQ bets.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Burnley vs West Bromwich Albion – Friday 20:00
The division’s two in-form sides go head-to-head at Turf Moor on Friday night in what could potentially be a seismic evening in the context of the Championship season. Burnley continued their excellent home winning run with a late 1-0 win over Coventry on Saturday, meaning they’ve won each of their last eight games at Turf Moor – scoring 20 and conceding just four.
West Brom likewise sustained their remarkable development under Carlos Corberán with a dramatic comeback victory over Luton Town last weekend, meaning the Baggies have won nine of their last ten league games. The west Midlands side now occupy the last playoff position and will fancy their chances against anyone in their current form, although Friday’s game arguably represents their first real test since losing to Sheffield United in October.
If anyone can get a result against this formidable Burnley side at home, it’ll be a West Brom team who are currently playing out of their skins. Having said that, Burnley are frightening in front of their own fans, and picking up three points at Turf Moor is as difficult a challenge as anywhere in the EFL. Backing a draw at 3.4 looks reasonable value for this one.
Burnley vs West Bromwich Albion markets
Coventry City vs Norwich City – Saturday 12:30
Coventry’s late defeat to league leaders Burnley last weekend extended their winless run to four games – their worst run of form since the beginning of the season. Whilst that sequence of results has seen Mark Robins’ side slide down the table to 15th, the Sky Blues will take confidence from the fact they are unbeaten at home in seven matches, with their 10 goals conceded in front of their own fans only bettered by third-place Millwall (8).
Norwich put a halt to their dismal run of form with a convincing 4-0 victory away at Preston – their first win in five league fixtures. The Canaries’ last three domestic wins have all interestingly come away from home – a run of three victories in four games on their travels – which has just about kept David Wagner’s side in touch with the battle for a playoff place.
The first goal will be crucial in this one – if Norwich fail to score early on, then Coventry have proven their ability to grind out clean sheets in front of their own fans. Having said that, the Canaries were brilliant against Preston last time out and looked to have rediscovered some of their spark from the beginning of the season. Backing Norwich to continue their good away run at 2.64 is the play here.
Coventry City vs Norwich City markets
LEAGUE ONE
Bristol Rovers vs Wycombe Wanderers – Saturday 15:00
Bristol Rovers were dealt a sobering blow to their playoff hopes with a disappointing second-half display at Accrington Stanley last Saturday, losing the game 2-0 having been level at half-time. The Pirates remain three points off Barnsley in the sixth playoff position, though the fact they have played three games more than their Yorkshire counterparts highlights the enormity of the task ahead of them in the second half of the season.
Wycombe Wanderers likewise find themselves in a playoff hunt, though their task was similarly made trickier by a 1-0 defeat to second-place Sheffield Wednesday last weekend. Their most recent away fixture was a convincing 3-0 victory over seventh-place Peterborough on New Year’s Day, though that was their first win on the road in four attempts – a run which has perhaps prevented them from really troubling any positions in the top six.
Both teams will deem a win as a huge boost to their playoff campaigns, but the hosts probably have the edge here. Rovers have lost just one of their last seven games at home and despite Wycombe’s return to winning ways on their travels last week, this may be a step too far for Gareth Ainsworth’s men. We’re backing Bristol Rovers at 2.66 to close the gap on the top six.
Bristol Rovers vs Wycombe Wanderers markets
LEAGUE TWO
Stevenage vs Leyton Orient – Saturday 15:00
It’s first versus second in League Two on Saturday as table-topping Leyton Orient visit Stevenage. The home side conceded a disappointing late equaliser away at Harrogate Town last week but will still be buoyed by the fact they’re unbeaten in 10 league games – their longest streak without losing since April 2021. A win would take Boro to within two points of their opposition with a game in hand, so you’d feel the impetus is very much with the home side for this one.
There are a few things to address with Leyton Orient’s recent run of fixtures. Another 0-0 draw last week against Barrow (their third goalless stalemate in five league games) means the east Londoners have won just one of their last five fixtures, although they’ve commendably conceded just one goal in their last seven games. Scoring goals is however beginning to become a problem for the league leaders, with just one goal in five games opening the door for Stevenage to steal first place in the division and take the initiative in the title race.
It’ll most likely be a cagey, low scoring game – with just nine goals scored between these two sides’ last ten games collectively. Both managers will understand the importance of not losing this one, so backing the draw at 3.2 looks an attractive option.
Stevenage vs Leyton Orient markets
