Free betting tips: Preview for the Sky Bet EFL fixtures on October 27
The Sky Bet EFL continues on Saturday and we have three recommended bets, at prices of 7/2, 10/1 and 18/1.
Recommended bets
1pt Jack O'Connell to score anytime in Sheffield United v Wigan at 18/1
1pt Jake Cooper to score anytime in Millwall v Ipswich at 10/1
1pt Peterborough to win and over 2.5 goals in the match at 7/2
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Bolton v Hull
Sky Bet Championship, University of Bolton Stadium, 1500 BST
Two sides who are struggling in the Sky Bet Championship of late meet as Bolton welcome Hull to the University of Bolton Stadium.
Both sit at the bottom end of the form chart, picking up just six points between them in their last five games. Hull, though, are winless in seven with just two draws in that time.
The Tigers are desperate for an upturn in fortunes and I'm surprised to see Bolton priced up at a huge 2/1 to add to their misery here.
Nigel Adkins' Hull have done very little to justify their odds here, particularly on the road, with defeats in each of their last five away games.
Bolton's home form hasn't been much better but it's worth taking into account that they were facing sides either in-form or at the top-end of the table. Hull have been defeated by the likes of Reading, Stoke and Wigan on the road - with all three sitting 12th or below.
The away side are in horrendous form outside of East Yorkshire and I wouldn't back them based on recent showings. Favouritism should probably be with Bolton in this one and that's why they look great value at 2/1.
Best bet: Bolton to win at 2/1
Opta facts
- Bolton haven’t lost any of their last 21 home matches against Hull in all competitions (W15 D6 L0), since a 2-1 defeat in March 1935.
- The home side has won each of the last six Championship meetings between Bolton and Hull.
- Bolton have collected just six points in their last 10 Championship games (W1 D3 L6).
- Hull have won just two of their last 20 games in all competitions (D6 L12) since winning consecutive matches against QPR and Burton in April.
- Bolton have lost eight of their last nine Championship home games when they’ve fallen behind – the exception was their 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on the final day of last season.
- Hull have lost five consecutive away league matches – the second time they have done so under Nigel Adkins, also losing his first five away matches between December 2017 and February 2018.
Sheffield United v Wigan
Sky Bet Championship, Bramall Lane, 1500 BST
Sheffield United will look to bounce back when they welcome Wigan to Bramall Lane in a game that they will expect to win.
Chris Wilder's side are battling Leeds and Middlesbrough for first place in the Sky Bet Championship table and they know that victory here could move them above their rivals given the difficult games they face.
While Wigan's home form has been excellent with five wins and two draws from seven, they have been unable to replicate those results on the road with six defeats and just one victory.
This one should be a home banker, potentially a game with goals, too, given that Wigan have conceded six in their last two away games.
Factor in United's six-game unbeaten run in front of their own supporters and it's easy to see why the hosts are odds-on.
Billy Sharp leads the scoring for Wilder's men with eight goals in all competitions, followed by David McGoldrick with five. However, there is value in backing a centre-back to strike and my eye was immediately drawn to the huge price on offer for Jack O'Connell as an anytime goalscorer.
What this Sheffield United team has given us is entertainment in the way that they play football. The centre-backs, while their primary objective is to keep teams out, are given the freedom to surge forward and join the attack when required.
That's highlighted by Chris Basham's goal away at Derby. He connected with a cross from open play at the back post to tap into an empty net, although if you watch the build-up it's clear to see that it was no fluke.
Basham runs down the right side while the ball comes down the left. He overlaps the right wing-back to be in the right place at the right time to find the net. With plenty of noise made about 'Bielsa ball' at Leeds, 'Wilder ball' has gone under the radar and probably doesn't get the amount of credit it deserves.
O'Connell has had plenty of opportunities to strike as shown by his shots on goal. He's seen a total of 12 so far this season, the sixth highest of any Blades player.
It's worth noting as well that United have taken 43 corners in their last five games at home, an average of just under nine per game, which will give the centre-backs chances in attack.
The 24-year-old already has one on his tally this season alongside an assist in the win over Hull and is a huge price to score again.
Best bet: Jack O'Connell to score anytime at 18/1
Opta facts
- Sheffield United and Wigan are meeting for the first time since the 2015-16 season, when they were both in League One. In the most recent match, Wigan won 2-0 at Bramall Lane.
- In the Championship, Sheffield United and Wigan haven’t met since the 2004-05 season – the Latics won both matches on their way to promotion to the Premier League.
- Sheffield United have lost just two of their last 16 home games in all competitions (W8 D6).
- Paul Cook’s heaviest defeat as a Football League manager was against a side managed by Chris Wilder – Cook’s Accrington Stanley were beaten 5-0 by Oxford United in October 2012 in League Two.
- Since Chris Wilder’s first league match in charge of Sheffield United, only Man City (62) have won more league games in English league football than the Blades (58).
- Wigan haven’t lost six consecutive away league matches since May 2010 in the Premier League under Roberto Martinez.
Millwall v Ipswich
Sky Bet Championship, The New Den, 1500 BST
Ipswich seem sure to come into this game managerless following Paul Hurst's sacking on Thursday, and they face a tricky test away at Millwall.
The Tractor Boys were beaten at Leeds last time out and did little to suggest that they were going to pick up anything at Elland Road. Millwall meanwhile, have two wins from three which includes home victories over Wigan and Aston Villa.
Neil Harris' side are rightly odds-on favourites to win here which could see Ipswich four points adrift of safety by the end of play.
Like the game at Bramall Lane, there is a case for backing a centre-back to strike and Jake Cooper has already highlighted the fact that he has an eye for goal.
The 23-year-old has one goal and three assists already this season and has proven to be dominant in the air when required, which plays into his and Millwall's hands from set-pieces.
His goal did come against Sheffield United and was from a corner, while his three assists were also headers to a unmarked player to score.
The stats all point towards Millwall goals from set-pieces here. They've scored the highest amount from set-pieces at home out of any side in the division, with their six goals being more than their total scored from open play.
Not only that, but Ipswich have the joint-worst record for conceding from set-pieces away from home. Their seven goals is level with Aston Villa and, like Millwall's goals for, is more than from open play.
Cooper also has the second-highest total shots taken in this Millwall squad. His 26 efforts on goal is only bettered by striker Lee Gregory, again highlighting his importance from corner and free-kick situations.
That's why there is real value in backing someone like Cooper to strike here and guide Millwall to another victory.
Best bet: Jake Cooper to score anytime at 10/1
Opta facts
- Millwall have won just one of their last eight league matches against Ipswich (D2 L5), a 1-0 win in January 2014.
- Ipswich have won both of their last two league visits to the Den against Millwall.
- Millwall are looking to win consecutive Championship matches for the first time since April.
- Ipswich have lost seven of their last eight league matches in London – their other game in this run was a 4-3 win over Millwall.
- Millwall are one of just two teams, along with Sheffield Wednesday, yet to keep a home Championship clean sheet this season.
Burton v Peterborough
Sky Bet League One, Pirelli Stadium, 1500 BST
Posh have hit a bit of a bumpy patch of form in recent weeks, but they're good value to win away at Burton.
Peterborough's defeats to promotion rivals Accrington and Barnsley see them four points off Portsmouth, who occupy top spot, but their away record is the joint best in the division.
Steve Evans' side are unbeaten in their seven games on the road, winning six with a goal difference of +13. Burton's home victory over Sunderland in mid-September may give them faith that they can beat the top teams, although they did lose to an in-form Southend side.
Any team who can win away from home is one full of confidence, and Posh are typically able to find the net on more than one occasion when they come up against sides in the second-half of the league table.
They hit two past Scunthorpe, four past Gillingham and five past Plymouth while also beating Rochdale 4-1 at the beginning of August.
Peterborough are a side full of talent with Jason Cummings and Matt Godden battling each other for the top scorer title. That can only be beneficial for the team and should see their tally remain high throughout the season.
Best bet: Peterborough to win and over 2.5 goals in the match at 7/2
Opta facts
- Burton Albion and Peterborough United have met just twice previously in League One – the Brewers won both clashes in the 2015-16 season.
- Peterborough won their last visit to Burton 3-0 in the 2015-16 FA Cup
- Burton boss Nigel Clough has only lost one of his five home league meetings with Peterborough as a manager (W3 D1), although that did come in his last home encounter with the Posh in March 2015 as Sheffield United manager.
- Peterborough are unbeaten in their last seven games away from home in the EFL (W6 D1) – they last went on a longer run without defeat on the road between September and December 2008 (run of eight).
- Burton forward Marvin Sordell has had a hand in four goals in his four league appearances against Peterborough (two goals, two assists), although he last scored against them in the league via a brace in October 2011 for Watford.
Odds correct at 1725 BST on 25/10/18