)ur EFL expert Nick Hext expects Derby to get the better of Sunderland.
Recommended bet: Weekend EFL
2pts Derby to beat Sunderland at 21/10 - Rams are a great price to add to the Black Cats' misery
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TV games
Derby to beat Sunderland, Sky Bet Championship (Friday, 1945 BST, Sky Sports Football & Main Event)
Sunderland host Derby in the first Sky Sports offering of the season from the Sky Bet Championship. The Black Cats dropped out of the Premier League after a miserable campaign and I reckon things will get even worse when Derby arrive at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland lost 5-0 to Celtic in pre-season action last weekend and Darron Gibson made more headlines after the match as he offered opinions on his team-mates in a pub. "There are too many people at the club who don’t give a f***" was one of Gibson's observations on life at Sunderland so it’s fair to say that new boss Simon Grayson has plenty of work ahead. Derby will again be targeting a place in the top six and Gary Rowett knows just what it takes in the Championship from his successful spell with Birmingham. The Rams are play-offs contenders and have to be backed at around 2/1 across the board for the win. That would leave Sunderland in even more disarray.
The Steve Bruce derby takes centre stage on Saturday evening as the current Aston Villa boss sees his side tackle his previous employers Hull. John Terry will make his first Sky Bet Championship start for Villa and the former Chelsea captain has received glowing references at the start of his time in the Midlands. Glenn Whelan is another new signing set to make a big difference for the hosts in this game and I can't see Hull returning to the Championship with a three-point haul. I've tipped the Tigers for a tough season in my team-by-team guide to the new EFL season and over 2/1 for Villa to win to nil is worth an interest. That would be a cracking start to life at Villa Park for Terry.
Leeds' trip to newly-promoted Bolton is the final Sky Bet Championship offering from Sky Sports this weekend. I've tipped Wanderers to finish bottom of the table so it shouldn't come as a surprise that I fancy Leeds to get the three points, but the bet here is for Kemar Roofe to get on the scoresheet. The Leeds forward netted against his former club Oxford in pre-season action last weekend and he looked back to his old self after a relatively quiet first year at Elland Road. A really interesting interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post contains Roofe's targets for the new campaign and he talks about the "controlled freedom" offered in the approach of new manager Thomas Christiansen. I'm expecting Roofe to shine in the months ahead and a goal at the Macron Stadium would be the perfect way to start.
Pick of the weekend matches
Wolves to draw with Middlesbrough, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1500 BST)
It shouldn't come as a surprise that I've selected Middlesbrough's clash against Wolves as my match of the weekend. I've picked these two clubs to end the season as the top two in the Sky Bet Championship, with Boro leading the way. It also shouldn't be a shock that I'm going for a draw at Molineux. Both Boro boss Garry Monk and Wolves chief Nuno are in charge of their new teams in the Championship for the first time and the pressure is on to start with a positive result. There's a number of new signings for both sides to get up to speed and I'm keen to learn lessons form an encounter in which I reckon a point apiece is the outcome.
Big price to check out
Rochdale to beat Portsmouth, Sky Bet League One (Saturday, 1500 BST)
Portsmouth will go well in Sky Bet League One this season but I'm keen to oppose the odds-on favourites in Saturday's clash at home to Rochdale. Former Disney chief executive Michael Eisner completed his takeover of Pompey this week and there's also a new manager in the dugout as Kenny Jackett takes charge for the first time. Jackett has a few selection issues in defence and he won't face a more settled club this season than Rochdale. Keith Hill has Dale once again primed to flirt with the play-offs and over 3/1 is a great price for the Spotland side to spring a surprise. Pompey will challenge but it will take time for all the new pieces in the jigsaw to come together.
Where to go away
Lincoln to beat Wycombe, Sky Bet League Two (Saturday, 1500 BST)
Vanarama National League champions Lincoln start their return to the EFL with a trip south to Wycombe. I expect both clubs to be in the promotion mix but over 2/1 for the Imps to win on the road looks too big to me. Danny Cowley's side are a tough nut to crack and the signings of Michael Bostwick and Matt Green have added further strength to the ranks. I think Lincoln are just about the better side in this game so the prices make real appeal with the Imps available as outsiders for the three points.
Posted at 0705 BST on 04/08/17.
Related links
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