Sky Bet EFL: Match previews and best bets for fixtures on Saturday September 14
The end of the international break sees the return of the Sky Bet Championship and Tom Carnduff has three best bets to consider.
Recommended bets
2pts Ivan Cavaleiro to have 2+ shots on target in Fulham v West Brom at 9/4
1pt Peterborough to win and over 3.5 goals in the match at 7/2
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Fulham v West Brom
The early kick-off in the Sky Bet Championship sees two of the promotion favourites meet at Craven Cottage as Fulham take on West Brom.
Both sides have started as expected as they sit in the top-six following the opening month. Fulham have dropped points in their last two though and will be looking to return to winning ways.
There is a potential for goals here considering that both have hit double figures in the goals for column while also conceding at least five each across the first six games.
One player who has been enjoying life in new surroundings is Ivan Cavaleiro. The winger made the temporary switch from Wolves in the summer.
He's scored three and assisted another two, an impressive tally made even more so by the fact he has only completed the full 90 minutes in one of those games.
The stats-based markets provide the value in this one and Cavaleiro can be backed at 9/4 with Sky Bet to have two or more shots on target in the contest.
Considering the game we're expecting, and Fulham's intent on attack, we could see a high shots tally for both teams.
Best bet: Ivan Cavaleiro to have 2+ shots on target at 9/4
Opta facts
- Fulham are unbeaten in their last seven league games against West Brom (W3 D4 L0), although this is their first meeting since February 2014 in the Premier League.
- West Brom are winless in each of their last 15 league trips to Fulham (W0 D6 L9) since winning 2-1 in October 1967.
- Fulham have put together 126 sequences of 10 or more passes in open play this season – 47 more than any other Championship team.
- West Bromwich Albion have won the most points from losing positions in the Championship this season (11). The Baggies have gone behind in five of their six games and lost none (W3 D2 L0).
- The two teams to complete the most successful passes in the opposition half this season are Fulham (1,347) and West Brom (1,308).
- Grady Diangana’s three Championship goals this season have been worth five points for West Brom – no player has won more points for their team in the division this season.
Charlton v Birmingham
In the style of Lonnie Urquart from Mike Bassett: England Manager, if that Lee Bowyer doesn't win Manager of the Month then there's no justice.
What a start it has been for Charlton. The Addicks sit second in the table after their six unbeaten games and have every chance of continuing that run against Birmingham.
The Blues are the latest visitors to the Valley and they've failed to build upon their opening day win at Brentford.
The two away games after that have been 3-0 defeats against Swansea and Nottingham Forest. Pep Clotet's side are one that is developing into a 'home only' team and their form on the road could be a concern.
Charlton boast seven points in each of the home and away columns and should add another three to their home tally on Saturday.
Other bets to consider involve Lyle Taylor. The Charlton striker has netted five in six games and Sky Bet have the best price of 13/8 on a goal anytime in this contest.
There is value in backing the result though - whether that be as a single or part of those weekend accumulators.
Best bet: Charlton to win at 13/10
Opta facts
- Charlton completed a league double over Birmingham the last time the two sides met in the 2015-16 campaign.
- Birmingham have won one of their last eight visits to Charlton (W1 D4 L3), a 2-0 victory in February 2014.
- Charlton have lost just two of their last 25 games in all competitions (W16 D7 L2).
- Birmingham have lost their last three away games in all competitions all by the same score (3-0) and have attempted just 21 shots across three defeats.
- Charlton manager Lee Bowyer – who played for both the Addicks and Birmingham during his career – scored in this fixture in August 1995 for Charlton in a 3-1 league win.
- Charlton are the first newly-promoted Championship side to remain unbeaten in their first six league games of the season since Brighton in 2011-12 – the Seagulls went on to finish 10th.
Peterborough v Rochdale
It was heartbreak for the EFL tips prior to the international break with Peterborough the side to let us down.
A brave prediction of Peterborough beating Sunderland with over 3.5 goals in the match was tipped at a huge price of 7/1. The odds suggested it was unlikely, but we fell just short with Posh running out 3-0 winners.
I saw enough in that game, and indeed Peterborough's recent performances, to be happy enough to put up a similar prediction as they host Rochdale.
They have an ability to find the net and have really hit form following a slow start to the campaign. Darren Ferguson's men have scored eleven goals in their last four contests in all competitions, conceding none.
Rochdale could be the side to break that defensive resistance though. They've had a positive opening month on the whole and caught the headlines with three (!) Barcelona-esque goals against Southend. You can watch those goals here:
Peterborough's goal-scoring run should continue on Saturday - particularly in a game in front of their own fans.
Goals are the value but it's worth adding that little bit extra by putting a home victory in as well.
A posh win with over 3.5 goals in the game is available at 7/2, which looks a good price considering the contest.
Best bet: Peterborough to win and over 3.5 goals in the match at 7/2
Opta facts
- Peterborough, who completed the League One double over Rochdale last season, are looking to record three straight league wins over the away side for the first time December 2010.
- Rochdale have won two of their last four away league games against Peterborough (L2), as many victories as in their other 22 such trips (P22 W2 D8 L12).
- Peterborough United are looking to win four straight league matches for the first time since doing so in each of their opening five games of League One last season under manager Steve Evans.
- Rochdale have won four of their last seven away games in League One (P7 W4 D1 L2), last staying unbeaten in four successive league games on the road between August and September 2018.
- As a Peterborough player, George Boyd has been directly involved in six goals in five previous league games against Rochdale (three goals, three assists), including delivering an assist in each of his last three such appearances between February 2008 and April 2011.
Odds correct at 1300 BST (12/09/19)