Sky Bet EFL: Free Football Betting Tips & Odds for the weekend's action
Nick Hext returns to an old favourite with Reading backed to win at home as this weekend's main fancy in the Sky Bet EFL.
Friday's TV game
Under 2.5 goals in Derby v Hull, Sky Bet Championship (Friday 1945 BST, Sky Sports Football)
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The Sky Bet Championship is back after the international break and the opening match of this round of fixtures is Derby's clash with Hull, live on Sky Sports Football on Friday night. These two teams sit in the upper reaches of mid-table after the first five matches of the season and I reckon they'll be in a similar position when the campaign ends. Both are too good for a fight against relegation but don't quite have enough for the promotion scrap. I'm going low on goals at Pride Park. Derby's two home games so far have both come in with under 2.5 goals and only one of Hull's three matches on the road has gone over that mark. I wouldn't be surprised by just one goal separating the sides and that should happen in a low-scoring encounter.
Saturday's TV game
Sheffield Wednesday to draw 1-1 with Nottingham Forest, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday 1730 BST, Sky Sports Football)
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There's a clash between two of English football's traditional heavyweights on Saturday evening for Sky Sports viewers to enjoy as Sheffield Wednesday tackle Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough. Wednesday are the odds-on favourites across the board for the three points but I don't want a piece of that. The Owls have drawn 1-1 in both of their home games in the Sky Bet Championship this season and there's every reason that history should repeat itself. Forest have won at Brentford in the league and Newcastle (after extra-time) in the Carabao Cup to prove that they are a much-improved side from last term's struggles. Four of Wednesday's last 10 matches on their own turf have ended in a 1-1 draw so consider a small stake on the 6/1 available in the correct score betting.
Weekend's best bet
Reading to beat Bristol City, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday 1500 BST)
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Followers of these tips have enjoyed plenty of profits thanks to Reading over the last year and I'm once again going to back the Royals on Saturday. Bristol City are the visitors to the Madejski Stadium and I can't see anything other than a home win. Reading are available at 6/4 to pick up the three points and that has to be taken given the sensational home record of Jaap Stam's side. The Royals have won three and drawn one of their four home games this season to extend their unbeaten record on their own turf to 15 matches, QPR were the last side to leave with a win way back on January 12. Twelve of those 15 outings have ended in victories to Reading so it's clear that an odds-against quote for the home victory should be snapped up. Bristol City have only won two of their last 20 Sky Bet Championship games on their travels and will find it tough to trouble Stam's organised outfit.
Super 6 preview
Sheffield United and draw in double-chance market v Sunderland, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday 1500 BST)
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You won't be able to miss on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday this weekend that the £1million Super 6 jackpot has to be won. Five of the selected matches in the free-to-play game are from the Premier League but Sunderland v Sheffield United is picked from the Sky Bet Championship. Sunderland are 11/10 favourites to get the win but I reckon Sheffield United can spring a surprise. The Blades are boosted by a couple of home victories in a row and they should have left Middlesbrough with a draw last month but a late equaliser was controversially ruled out. Sunderland have lost to Leeds and drawn with Derby in their opening two home games so the pressure is building at the start of Simon Grayson's reign. Take a look at Sheffield United and the draw in the double-chance market at close to even-money. For Super 6, I'm going with the Blades to leave with a point thanks to a 1-1 draw.
Home comforts
Charlton to beat Southend, Sky Bet League One (Saturday 1500 BST)
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Charlton fans finally have a reason to smile at the start of this season as a fine run of form sees them just one point off the lead in the Sky Bet League One table. Karl Robinson's Addicks have won their last three league games in a row, racking up an impressive 12 goals in the process. There should be plenty of interest in the 15/13 available for victory at home to Southend, who haven't won in their last six outings since getting the better of Blackburn on the opening day of the campaign. Charlton's promotion odds are sure to keep shortening and odds-against is a real tempter to defeat the out-of-form Shrimpers.
Value on the road
Wycombe to beat Newport, Sky Bet League Two (Saturday 1500 BST)
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Newport have provided a feel-good story in Sky Bet League Two since escaping relegation on the final day of last season. Mike Flynn's County sit in the play-off places after the opening five matches of the new campaign but I think they will be up against it when fourth-placed Wycombe arrive at Rodney Parade. Wanderers have won at Port Vale and Grimsby for three-point hauls in both of their away games and Gareth Ainsworth's side look primed for a promotion push. Newport have lost their last couple of matches and Wycombe can make it three in a row at close to 2/1 for the away victory.
Posted at 0735 BST on 08/09/17.
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