With a winner in midweek, Tom Carnduff is hoping for more success as he picks out three best bets for the latest Sky Bet EFL action.
Recommended bets
2pts Charlton to beat Brentford at 11/5
1pt Adam Forshaw to score anytime in Stoke v Leeds at 12/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Charlton v Brentford
Many expected Charlton to finish bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table but Lee Bowyer's side have started the season in excellent fashion.
They're unbeaten in their four games so far - securing victories over Stoke and Blackburn while drawing with Barnsley and Nottingham Forest.
The Addicks came within minutes of three points on Wednesday night before Forest struck late in the contest. They'd seen more of the possession and the better of the attacks but couldn't quite get over the line.
I have been really impressed with their efforts so far alongside the transfer window they had. Bowyer has made no secret of the fact that they are operating on a low budget yet they made some shrewd additions.
If they are to stay in this league, they need to be looking to win their games at the Valley. While they are the outsiders here, they can get the better of a Brentford side who have failed to get going.
The Bees have won just one game and have four points on their tally. While we expected goals from this side, every game they have been involved in has seen under 2.5.
With Charlton seeing three or more goals in three of their four league contests, it's difficult to call just how many times we'll see the net hit here.
I do like the price on Charlton though, especially with them being the home side. Lyle Taylor is 17/10 to score anytime, he's scored in all four league games so far, but the better value is in the result here.
Best bet: Charlton to win at 11/5
Opta facts
- Charlton and Brentford haven’t met at the Valley in the Championship since October 2015, with the Bees winning 3-0.
- Brentford are looking to secure consecutive away league wins at Charlton for the first time.
- Charlton have won eight points from their opening four league games in each of their last three appearances in the second tier but went on to be relegated in their previous campaign at this level in 2015-16.
- Brentford registered just 29.5% possession and attempted only five shots against Leeds in midweek; both their lowest totals in a Championship game since getting promoted in 2014.
- Lyle Taylor, who has netted four goals from seven shots on target this season, has scored 26 league and play-off goals since August 2018; 12 more than any other Charlton player.
- Brentford have scored a league-low two goals in 2019-20; with two goals from their opening four league games their lowest total at this level since 1947-48.
Stoke v Leeds
I had Stoke down as Sky Bet Championship winners this season and I have to admit I'm pretty concerned.
I knew it would take Nathan Jones' new-look side some time to get used to playing alongside one another, but they are showing very little signs of gelling.
They currently prop up the standings with one point from their opening four games. They come up against a Leeds team next who are sat at the top of the tree.
Leeds actually lost this fixture last season in one of the few games that Jones has won as Potters boss. This time around, they'll fancy their chances of success.
I'm going to put a selection up that I have already chosen once this season, and while it wasn't a winner that week, I've been encouraged from what I've seen from Adam Forshaw this season.
We were used to seeing him sit further back last season, but a slight tactical tweak from Marcelo Bielsa has allowed him further up the field throughout the course of the current campaign.
His new attacking position is reflected in the number of shots on his tally. Games against Brentford, Wigan and Bristol City - three victories for Bielsa's side - saw the midfielder post two or more shots.
Don't be put off by his goalscoring record in recent seasons, with the way he is now playing there should be a few on his tally by May.
There's a best price of 12/1 available, 10/1 general, on a goal anytime in this game which is well worth considering with the mixed fortunes of the two sides involved.
Best bet: Adam Forshaw to score anytime at 12/1
Opta facts
- In meetings between Stoke City and Leeds United at Stoke, there hasn’t been a goalless draw in the last 25 games in all competitions since a 0-0 stalemate in October 1966.
- Leeds have lost three of their last four league matches against Stoke (W1 D0 L3), losing 1-2 at the Bet365 Stadium last season.
- Stoke, who are now winless in 10 league games (P10 W0 D5 L5), haven’t suffered a longer such run outside of the top-flight since a 16-match streak without victory between September and December 2002.
- Leeds are looking to win three straight away games in the Championship for the first time in 2019, last doing so against Sheffield United, Bolton and Aston Villa in December 2018.
- Stoke (28) and Leeds (30) have faced the fewest shots in the Championship so far this season, though the Potters have conceded 10 times, and the Whites just twice. Indeed, the fortunes of the two clubs couldn’t be more contrasting, with the away side sitting top and the home side sitting bottom of the division after four matches.
- Against Brentford last time out, Leeds striker Eddie Nketiah became just the 14th different Whites player to score in his first two appearances for the club – should he score against Stoke, Nketiah will be the first player since Frank Fidler in 1951 to score in his first three appearances for Leeds United.
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Plymouth v Walsall
Ryan Lowe has implemented his attacking philosophy at Plymouth, although they have experienced a dip in results over the past seven days.
Argyle won their opening three games in all competitions, but were beaten by Newport before being held by Salford in midweek.
They can return to winning ways though against a Walsall side who have struggled as they adjust to life in Sky Bet League Two.
The Saddlers opened their campaign with victory at Northampton, but have since been beaten by Crewe and managed draws against Walsall and Forest Green.
Walsall were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup at home to Crawley. Just one win from five isn't the ideal start to the 2019/20 season.
Argyle look great value at a best price of 21/20 for victory here, but it's still worth backing as a single or part of an accumulator if the price drops into slightly odds-on.
Best bet: Plymouth to win at 21/20
Opta facts
- Each of the last six encounters between Plymouth and Walsall in the EFL have been won by the home side, with Plymouth winning the most recent meeting 2-1 in this exact fixture last season in League One.
- Plymouth have lost just one of their last 16 home matches against Walsall in the Football League (W13 D2), winning each of the last seven since a 1-3 defeat in November 1984.
- Plymouth have lost just one of their last five league games (W3 D1), however they are winless in their two (D1 L1).
- Walsall have scored just five goals across their last 11 away league games, winning just one match during this period (D2 L8).
- There were 18 passes in the build up to Danny Mayor’s goal for Plymouth against Salford last time out – the longest passing sequence leading to a goal in League Two so far this season.
Odds correct at 1330 BST (22/08/19)
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