Our best bets for the latest Sky Bet EFL action
Our best bets for the latest Sky Bet EFL action

Free betting tips: Preview for the Sky Bet EFL fixtures on October 20


The Sky Bet Championship returns after the international break. We pick out our best bets in the Sky Bet EFL this weekend.


Recommended EFL bets

2pts 20+ booking points for each team in Portsmouth v Fleetwood at 9/4

2pts Notts County to win and both teams to score at 8/1

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record


Rotherham v Bolton

Sky Bet Championship, New York Stadium, 1500 BST

Rotherham celebrate after scoring against Stoke
Rotherham celebrate after scoring against Stoke

It's a clash between two sides aiming to avoid the drop as Rotherham welcome Bolton to the New York Stadium.

The hosts find themselves two points above the relegation zone, but all of their points this season have come at home which puts them in a strong position here.

Bolton's away form hasn't been the best in recent weeks with just one win in their last five on the road. They're winless in four, with two defeats.

The Millers have picked up points at home against Bristol City and Stoke in their latest outings and will be confident against an out-of-form Bolton.

Paul Warne will know the importance of securing wins at home if they are to stay in the division this season, especially against sides who they can expect to be near in the standings.

A victory here could go a long way for their survival hopes in May and, based on current track record, a home win looks good value at a shade of odds-against.

Best bet: Rotherham to win at 5/4


Portsmouth v Fleetwood

Sky Bet League One, Fratton Park, 1500 BST

Lee Swabey
Lee Swabey

Portsmouth will be looking to extend their lead at the top when they welcome Fleetwood, but it won't be an easy task with the visitors picking up some great results in recent weeks.

The Cod Army hammered Doncaster 4-0 at the Keepmoat before beating Shrewsbury 2-1 last time out, and they will be looking to claim a scalp in this division with Pompey currently top of the table.

This game does have all the ingredients to entertain considering the quality in attack that both sides possess, but I'm more interested in the cards market here given the records of these two teams.

Both are within the top-eight in the division when it comes to yellow cards shown this season, Fleetwood sit in third with 30 yellows and one red giving them the joint-second worst overall disciplinary record at this level.

Pompey have 23 to their name, putting them higher than 16 other sides in the league. What makes this an intriguing bet though is the sheer number of cards shown in Fleetwood's away games.

Barton's men have seen at least four yellow cards in total in each of their six games on the road, with the last four games seeing a combined 26.

In three of those six games, both sides have seen at least two yellow cards - with two other games seeing their opposition pick up three cautions.

You can also factor in the referee for this one. Lee Swabey is the man in the middle and he can be viewed as one of the division's stricter referees based on showings so far.

Swabey has shown nine yellow cards in his last two games. He gave out seven yellows in Peterborough's 4-2 win over Gillingham and six yellows and a red in Bristol Rovers' Carabao Cup victory over Crawley.

He has officiated one Portsmouth game already this season and that saw five yellow cards in total. Given that both sides will fancy victory in this one, there is real potential for a high card count.

Best bet: 20+ booking points for each team at 9/4


Southend v Coventry

Sky Bet League One, Roots Hall, 1500 BST

Southend celebrate a goal against Peterborough
Southend celebrate a goal against Peterborough

Southend are the in-form side in Sky Bet League One and go in search of another victory when they welcome Coventry to Roots Hall.

Chris Powell's men have won four of their last five in the league and beat Gillingham last time out.

They take on a Coventry side who have won their last two, but were without victory in the three games before that. The last time they had two back-to-back wins in the league they would go onto lose 3-1 away in their next fixture.

A win for the hosts could see them level on points with the play-off positions, which would be fully deserved based on results in recent weeks.

Simon Cox has been in great form, scoring five goals in his last five league appearances.

The 31-year-old should lead the line again on Saturday, and he is a best price of 7/4 to score anytime and keep that great run going.

Best bet: Southend to win at 6/5


Bury v Notts County

Sky Bet League Two, Gigg Lane, 1500 BST

Notts County striker Jon Stead
Notts County striker Jon Stead

Bury find themselves favourites when they welcome Notts County to Gigg Lane, but there is real value in backing an away win here.

Harry Kewell has started to pick up results with his new side after a slow start and the Magpies have won their last three games in the league, also drawing the two games before that.

Bury's form sees them without a win in three and winless in their last two games at home, which includes a defeat.

What has been a common theme for these two teams so far this season is both teams scoring in their games. In the nine games since Kewell's arrival, County have had six where both have found the net while seven of Bury's last ten have seen the same.

There is a real potential for a repeat of that here, and that provides greater value to the already good odds available on an away victory.

One player who has enjoyed Kewell's management is Jon Stead - with the forward scoring three goals in five starts since mid-September, contributing a further one assist.

The 35-year-old is available at a best price of 11/4 to score anytime here, with first goalscorer enhancing the odds to 9/1.

Best bet: Notts County to win and both teams to score at 8/1


Odds correct at 1530 BST (18/10/18)

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