EFL WEEKEND: The EFL returns for another weekend of action, with some important clashes that could have ramifications at the top of each table. We preview four fixtures below, alongside some of our recommended BETDAQ bets.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Millwall vs Sheffield United – Saturday 12:30
Millwall have been flying this season once again, and not for the first time in the Championship in recent years. It has become almost typical that Millwall look to be genuine playoff contenders, beating teams in the top four comfortably while playing attractive and aggressive football. However, slowly but surely, they begin to peter out and end up finishing around 10th or 11th in the table.
It remains to be seen if the pattern will continue this term, and Millwall certainly are a team that no side will fancy playing at the moment, especially away from home. The Den becomes a cauldron of intimidation and anguish, and even the strongest teams, both physically and mentally, can have a difficult time escaping with a result.
In this instance, it’s an in-form Sheffield United sitting firmly in second place that travel to West London with the chance to further solidify their place as the second team to be automatically promoted to the Premier League.
The Blades have won three of their last five games in the league, and though they take the odd loss every now and then, they seldom lose two in a row. And by the looks of their recent winning form and the way they demolished Burnley 5-2 in November, they are a team itching to get out of this division, and we can’t see Millwall putting a dampener on them here. At 2.76 and offering great value, we’re backing Sheffield United to get the win here and increase the pressure on league leaders Burnley.
Millwall vs Sheffield United markets.
Luton Town vs Burnley – Saturday 15:00
This game is another big clash, and though it won’t carry as much weight for the league leaders Burnley, who sit tight at the summit with an eight-point lead over second place, it will be toughly fought by both sides as the end of the season draws closer, and the Premier League beckons.
Burnley were held to a dramatic 1-1 draw with Watford on Tuesday night and didn’t look to play anywhere near their best, with a 95th-minute equaliser the saving grace that kept their long unbeaten run intact.
Regardless of what was almost a blip on their incredible 2022/23 record, Burnley are the team to beat and one of the most in-form teams in Europe’s top four leagues. That being said, Luton have showcased attractive match-winning football all season and certainly have the ability to beat good teams.
Now in fourth place, Luton will more than fancy their chances of lasting to the playoffs and may even look around and wonder who can realistically beat them come a final at Wembley. Before any of that can be thought about, though, every point is invaluable at this stage of the season and given how tight the top 10 places in the championship are currently, they will no doubt throw everything at this Burnley side that were seconds away from a third loss of the league season on Tuesday.
It will be a close one, but looking at Luton’s form and Burnley’s likelihood to take their foot off the gas at some point, we are backing a draw here at 3.35
LEAGUE ONE
Wycombe vs Bolton – Saturday 15:00
Bolton find themselves in third place in League One after a fantastic mid-season pickup that has seen them win all of their last five games.
Now looking like they could realistically be in with a chance of securing that coveted third promotion spot with a playoff win if they don’t catch the league leaders, Bolton will be hoping they can extend their great winning run here and keep their momentum flowing into the most critical part of the season.
Standing in their way is a strong Wycombe side that have also looked very good in their recent fixtures, climbing to seventh in the table. Wycombe have put together four wins on the bounce and have more than ignited a playoff push that sees them only three points behind Barnsley in sixth.
For both teams, three points will mean a lot here, and we anticipate it to be a rowdy one, as Wycombe’s success in recent years has fired up the crowd at the Adam’s Park Stadium as they pursue a return to the Championship at the second time of asking.
This is a hard one to call, and the match could be up and down as both teams will more than likely be on the attack for large portions of the game. We can’t see it being a tepid one. At 3.1, Wycombe to triumph offers great value, and we back them reignite their push back to the Championship.
LEAGUE TWO
Salford City vs Swindon Town – Saturday 15:00
This game is between two sides that have been up and down this season, and while Salford are in sixth and Swindon have dropped to 11th after three losses in a row, there won’t be much between them on the day.
Both sides have been through good spells and bad spells this season, and currently, Swindon are in the latter. Salford, on the other hand, look to be pushing on and are hoping to cement themselves in the playoffs after a disappointing season in 2021/22.
Under new manager Jody Morris who was appointed only three weeks ago, Swindon have looked even less consistent than before and could potentially be at the beginning of a downward tumble as the late-season fixtures come thick and fast.
In this one, it looks like Salford will emerge victorious, and if they manage to showcase the determination and ability to bounce back from a loss they have for so much of this season, they will be well in with a shout of taking a two or three nil victory here. It looks like it will be the Ammies in this one, and we are backing them at 2.46.
Salford City v Swindon T own markets
