EFL WEEKEND: The EFL returns for its penultimate weekend of action, with relegation and play-off places still all to play for across all three divisions. We preview a fixture from each league below, alongside some of our recommended BETDAQ bets.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Bristol City v Burnley – Saturday 15:00
With just two Championship games remaining, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Bristol City are already beginning their preparations for next season, with Nigel Pearson’s men loitering in mid-table as the campaign draws to a close. The Robins showed they haven’t fully downed tools with a 2-1 victory against Rotherham United last time out, a result that extended their unbeaten home league run to an impressive nine matches.
Such a hot streak leaves Bristol City as the only Championship side with an unbeaten home league record since the turn of the year, but that now faces its sternest test with the visit of the division champions Burnley on Saturday. Many pundits can analyse the elements of the club’s meteoric rise under Vincent Kompany far better than we could ever, but what is clear for all to see is that they’re going to be a brilliant addition to next season’s Premier League for a variety of reasons.
Burnley come into this clash on cloud nine after securing the Championship title at the home of their fierce rivals Blackburn Rovers in midweek. The Clarets have composed a 12-match unbeaten away league run and whilst their heads still might be sore from the midweek celebrations, Kompany’s men look a tad overpriced here. Backing Burnley at 2.16 is the play.
Bristol City v Burnley markets
LEAGUE ONE
MK Dons v Barnsley – Saturday 15:00
Last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Fleetwood means MK Dons are winless in their last six league games, languishing just two points above the relegation zone. Whilst their unbeaten seven game run over March and April undeniably aided their cause for a fifth consecutive League One season next year, Mark Jackson’s side will be fighting for their lives in these final two league fixtures in the hope that all their good work over the Easter period doesn’t go to waste.
Barnsley were dealt a hammer blow in terms of both points and momentum in their promotion bid with a chastening 3-0 defeat to Ipswich Town last weekend, who just need one more win to confirm a place in the Championship next season. It was the Yorkshire side’s joint-heaviest league defeat of the season and despite already booking their play-off place next month, the Tykes will want to finish on a high in these last two games to provide some thrust to May’s showdown fixtures.
Whilst Barnsley find themselves on a sub-par run away from home, winning just one of their last four fixtures on the road, we feel Michael Duff’s side will have too much for an MK Dons team who possess the second worst home record in the division in terms of points. Backing Barnsley at 2.65 is the selection for this one.
LEAGUE TWO
Northampton Town v Bradford City – Saturday 15:00
Northampton continued their automatic promotion charge with a 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Harrogate Town last weekend, meaning they’ve won five of their last six games in front of their own fans. The Cobblers need just one more victory from their final two fixtures to guarantee League One football next season and will hoping to make a statement by beating play-off chasing Bradford to underline their credentials to leave League Two in their wake.
Bradford conceded an agonising 97th minute equaliser against Gillingham last weekend meaning that, remarkably, just three points separate fourth and eighth in the division as we approach the final two games. The Bantams currently occupy sixth but are level on points with both Salford and Mansfield in seventh and eighth respectively, so the Yorkshire side can’t take any chances here. They will however be discouraged by the fact they’ve only won one of their last five away games, whilst also losing the reverse fixture 3-1 back in November.
Both sides are largely priced for victory here given the magnitude of the fixture, and we especially like the look of Northampton’s value. Jon Brady’s men have scored two or more goals in five of their last six games at Sixfield Stadium and will want to get their promotion party started sooner rather than later, so we’re backing the hosts at 2.55.
Northampton Town v Bradford City markets
