EFL TIPS: The EFL returns to action this weekend with the final round of fixtures before Christmas Day. We preview four games below, including some of our recommended BETDAQ bets.
CHAMPIONSHIP
Burnley v Middlesbrough – Saturday 15:00
Burnley made it successive 3-0 wins by beating a troubled QPR at Loftus Road last week to maintain their three-point cushion at the top of the Championship table. The Clarets have now netted 11 goals in their last four league fixtures and are comfortably the division’s highest scorers as we approach the halfway mark of the season – scoring seven more than closest challengers Sheffield United.
On Saturday they host an in-form Middlesbrough side, who recorded a third successive league victory for the first time in 11 months by netting a 91st minute winner against Luton Town last weekend. An unbeaten run of five fixtures has seen Boro shoot up the league table to 12th place – just four points adrift of the playoff places – with new boss Michael Carrick enjoying a fantastic start to his managerial career.
It would seem daft to bet against Boro in this vein of form, but we like the look of Burnley’s price here. Vincent Kompany’s men hold the best home record in the division having won seven of their last eight games at Turf Moor and should have too much for Carrick’s men on Saturday. Backing Burnley at 2.18 is the play for this one.
Burnley v Middlesbrough markets
Coventry City v Swansea City – Saturday 15:00
This is an intriguing one. Coventry went down fighting against an impressive Reading side in their last fixture, which halted a four-game winning and clean sheet run, but nonetheless remain in decent nick. The Sky Blues have won each of their last three games at home, not conceding a single goal, a run which has seen them gravitate away from the relegation zone.
On Saturday they welcome a Swansea City side who now sit just two points above them in the league after losing at home to Norwich City last weekend. That defeat made it six winless games on the bounce for Russell Martin’s men for the first time since last season, a streak which has seen them drop from fourth to 10th in the division.
There’s certainly value to be had in this fixture, with Coventry priced at 2.5 and Swansea 3.15, but the Sky Blues’ home record definitely makes the former a more attractive option. Backing Mark Robins’ men at 2.5 looks an appealing punt.
Coventry City v Swansea City markets
LEAGUE ONE
Cheltenham Town v Lincoln City – Saturday 15:00
Cheltenham surrendered their five-game unbeaten run by losing 1-0 to Forest Green Rovers last week, meaning the Robins remain just five points above the drop zone. Each of Cheltenham’s last seven games have seen two or less goals scored, which corresponds accordingly to their general lack of attacking output throughout the season, with 16 goals in 20 games making them the joint-lowest scorers in the division.
Their opponents on Saturday, Lincoln City, find themselves in a similarly lean run of form, winning one of their last six league fixtures and likewise struggling to put the ball in the back of the net, netting just five times in that run. In fact, Lincoln have scored twice in a single game just once since September, so we’re very much anticipating a low-scoring affair this weekend.
Both teams will understand the importance of a win on Saturday, with just two points separating them in the table, but there certainly seems to be a sense of apprehension about each side at the moment. With that in mind, we’re backing a draw at 3.3.
Cheltenham Town v Lincoln City markets
LEAGUE TWO
Northampton Town v Carlisle United – Saturday 15:00
The heavyweight clash in League Two comes from Sixfields Stadium as third-placed Northampton Town take on Carlisle United in sixth. Northampton have allowed themselves to be dragged into a dogfight for the last automatic playoff position after looking good value for the League Two title, with a 0-0 draw against Tranmere last time out making it just three wins in eight for Jon Brady’s men.
Carlisle also find themselves in a curious vein of form, drawing three of their last four in the league. Such is the unpredictable nature of League Two that four points separate Barrow in fourth and AFC Wimbledon in 12th, so Carlisle, as the sixth-placed side, will know that any slip up could be costly.
The key to this game could be the teams’ retrospective home and away form. Northampton have failed to win any of the last four games in front of their own fans, while Carlisle have won four of their last six on the road, including a brilliant 4-1 thrashing of Salford City in their last away fixture. It’s a tough game to call, but we’re boldly backing Carlisle at 2.98 to shake things up further at the top of the division.
Northampton Town v Carlisle United markets
