Free football betting tips and odds: Sky Bet EFL preview

Football

Sat December 16, 2017 · 7y ago

Our EFL expert Nick Hext makes the case for second-half goals in Saturday's televised Championship game but his best bet comes in League One.

Saturday's TV game

Over 2.5 goals in the second half of Cardiff v Hull, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1730 GMT, Sky Sports Football)

Cardiff's momentum keeps rolling after two late goals secured an unlikely 2-2 draw at Reading on Monday night. The Bluebirds remain second in the Sky Bet Championship and the next test is a home clash with Hull on Saturday evening. This is the second match in charge of the Tigers for Nigel Adkins after the former Southampton chief enjoyed a 3-2 victory at home to Brentford at the KCOM Stadium. That game produced five goals in the second half and that is the third Hull match in succession in which three or more goals have been scored after the break. There were also three goals in the second half of Cardiff's 3-1 win over Norwich in their last home game. I'm keen to go for goals after half-time once again so will take a slice of the close to 4/1 for three or more in the second half of this televised clash.

Saturday afternoon's Sky Bet Championship selection

No goalscorer in Bolton v Burton, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1500 GMT)

Bolton's revival stuttered last time out with a 3-2 defeat at Nottingham Forest but things are still going well for the Trotters. Phil Parkinson's side find themselves out of the relegation zone after only two defeats in their last 10 outings, which represents a big step up on an eight-match losing run previously. The pressure is now on as Bolton have home advantage against bottom-of-the-table Burton and I think the Brewers can frustrate their hosts. Burton have drawn 0-0 in three of their last six Sky Bet Championship away games and I like the look of no goalscorer in this contest. Bolton will struggle when expected to make the running and Nigel Clough's men can keep it tight.

Sky Bet League One selection

Shrewsbury to beat Blackpool. Sky Bet League One (Saturday, 1500 GMT)

Shrewsbury have won 10, drawn one and lost two of their 13 home games this season. Paul Hurst's sit second in the Sky Bet League One table thanks to this fine home record and I have to take them at odds-against to get the better of out-of-form Blackpool on Saturday afternoon. The Seasiders have only won one of their previous eight matches in the league as a positive start to the campaign slips out of sight. Shrewsbury should be a shorter price so I'm happy to take this chance to support the surprise promotion contenders.

Shrewsbury striker Carlton Morris celebrates

Sky Bet League Two selection

Morecambe/Draw Double Chance v Barnet, Sky Bet League Two (Saturday, 1500 GMT)

Stop me if you've heard this one before. I'm taking Morecambe in the Double Chance market after success backing the Shrimps in last weekend's 2-0 win at home to Coventry. Jim Bentley's men now travel south to bottom-of-the-table Barnet and close to even-money for a Morecambe victory or a draw is well worth a look. Barnet are without a win in their last seven home games but three of those contests have ended in draws so I will play it a little bit safe with my support for the Shrimps, who are yet again being underestimated.

Friday's TV game

Wolves to beat Sheffield Wednesday, Sky Bet Championship (Friday, 1945 GMT, Sky Sports Football)

I expect Wolves to get the victory they need on Friday night to pull seven points clear at the top of the Sky Bet Championship. The second-tier leaders travel to Sheffield Wednesday and they are a simple choice at odds-against to heap more misery on under-pressure Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal. Defeat could well signal the end of Carvalhal's reign at Hillsborough as Wednesday are going nowhere fast at present. Wolves are on the up and I'm more than happy to get with Nuno's side as their promotion push continues at speed.