Free football betting tips and odds: Sky Bet EFL preview
Nick Hext is backing Bury striker George Miller to net in Monday night's Sky Bet League One trip to Blackburn, which is live on Sky Sports.
Monday night's TV game
There's Sky Bet League One action on the menu for Sky Sports viewers on Monday night as third-placed Blackburn host Bury, who are second-bottom at the time of writing. Despite that difference in the standings, it should be a tight contest at Ewood Park. Bury are unbeaten in their last five matches and Blackburn have been struggling to get over the line at home with draws against strugglers Northampton and Oldham in two of the last three matches on their own turf. I think Rovers will just about get the job done in this game but heavy odds-on quotes about the hosts aren't worth taking. I'm instead going to take a small interest in Bury striker George Miller to find the back of the net. The Middlesbrough loanee has netted four goals in his last five appearances for the Shakers and makes appeal at 3/1 to find the back of the net again.
Saturday's Sky Bet Championship selection
No goalscorer in Burton v Nottingham Forest, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1500 GMT)
I'm not expecting a classic when the Sky Bet Championship's bottom club Burton host Nottingham Forest, who sit seven points above the relegation zone in 17th. Burton claimed a creditable 0-0 draw at Ipswich last weekend and that was a step in the right direction after suffering five defeats in a row before arriving at Portman Road. Forest have failed to sparkle since Aitor Karanka's appointment as manager, winning one and losing five of their six matches with the Spaniard in charge. The victory was impressive though as it came against leaders Wolves. I'm taking a fancy to a goalless draw in this encounter. Five Burton matches this season have ended without a goal and I reckon it's worth a small interest as both sides struggle for form.
Saturday's Sky Bet League One selection
Southend to beat Portsmouth, Sky Bet League One (Saturday, 1500 GMT)
New Southend manager Chris Powell has made a fantastic start to his time in charge at Roots Hall. Three wins and a draw represents a massive upturn in fortunes from the eight defeats out of nine that signalled the end of Phil Brown's reign. I'm keen on the Shrimpers as underdogs with home advantage against Portsmouth. Kenny Jackett's men are five places and five points higher in the Sky Bet League One standings but they are on a poor run of form. Pompey have only won once in their previous eight outings and that makes them incredibly unappealing against a Southend side heading in the right direction.
Saturday's Sky Bet League Two selection
Forest Green to beat Morecambe, Sky Bet League Two (Saturday, 1500 GMT)
Forest Green have been a disappointment after winning promotion from the National League last season. I fancied Rovers to go well in their debut EFL campaign but they have been involved in a constant struggle at the wrong end of the table. Things do appear to finally be going in the right direction though as back-to-back victories have opened up a five-point gap to the relegation zone. A long trip north to Morecambe is Saturday's test and I think Rovers are good value at 12/5 to get the victory. Morecambe are without a win in their last five outings and the pressure is starting to fall on the Shrimps after falling behind Forest Green in the scrap to stay up.
Sunday's opening TV game
Under 2.5 goals in Norwich v Ipswich, Sky Bet Championship (Sunday, 1200 GMT, Sky Sports Football)
The East Anglian derby between Norwich and Ipswich opens Sunday's live Sky Bet Championship action for Sky Sports viewers to enjoy. Everything points to a tight encounter between the local rivals so don't tune in expecting the match of the season. All three matches between the two clubs over the last couple of seasons have contained under 2.5 goals and I can only see the same again at Carrow Road. Five of Norwich's last seven games have contained two goals or fewer and Ipswich have been winners for backers of under 2.5 goals in all of their previous five outings. I wouldn't be surprised to see Norwich claim a narrow win but I'm more confident in the prospects of a low-scoring encounter.
Sunday's second TV game
Leeds host Bristol City at Elland Road in the second of Sky Sports' two Sky Bet Championship matches to enjoy on Sunday afternoon. This is new boss Paul Heckingbottom's first home game in charge of Leeds and I reckon this will be the more entertaining of Sunday's live TV games. Both Leeds and Bristol City aren't in the best of form but they retain strong attacking options and there should be chance aplenty. I'm going to take an interest in over 2.5 goals in the second half at close to 4/1. Leeds' previous two home games have both contained five or more goals and Bristol City drew 3-3 against Sunderland last time out. Both managers will be wary of giving up too much in the opening stages but the appeal is there for goals after the break.
Recommended bet
2pts Forest Green to beat Morecambe at 12/5
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Posted at 2030 GMT on 15/02/17.