Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce

Free football betting tips and odds: Sky Bet EFL preview


Nick Hext brings you his best bets for Saturday's action in the Sky Bet EFL, including two Championship matches live on Sky Sports.

Saturday evening's TV game

Aston Villa to beat Bolton to nil, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1730 GMT, Sky Sports Main Event)

There's a second Sky Bet Championship match for Sky Sports viewers to enjoy on Saturday when Bolton host Aston Villa at 1730 GMT. Villa are pushing for promotion but Bolton's season so far has been every bit as impressive as they sit with a six-point advantage over the bottom three. There's still work for the Trotters to do but Phil Parkinson will be one of this term's top managers if he can get his threadbare squad over the line. I think Villa will get the better of Bolton but it won't be easy for Steve Bruce's side. Villa have claimed four of their last five wins on the road without conceding a goal and I reckon that's the best way to find some value with the visitors to the Macron Stadium.

Saturday afternoon's Sky Bet Championship selection

Leeds to draw with Sheffield Wednesday, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1500 GMT)

The Yorkshire derby between Leeds in 13th and 18th-placed Sheffield Wednesday is set to provide an underwhelming attraction at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon. Leeds have only won one of their last 15 outings but sit 12 points clear of Wednesday in the standings, who are without a victory in their previous seven matches. Wednesday were held to a 1-1 draw by Bolton last time out and I think the Owls will add another point to the tally in this contest. Leeds drew 2-2 against Reading in their previous game and the stage is set for the extension to the disappointing runs of both clubs.

Leeds manager Paul Heckingbottom
Leeds manager Paul Heckingbottom

Saturday afternoon's Sky Bet League One selection

Bury to beat MK Dons, Sky Bet League One (Saturday, 1500 GMT)

MK Dons gave their survival hopes a boost with a 3-2 victory at home to promotion hopefuls Rotherham in midweek. That result ended a 10-match winless run for Dan Micciche's side and they are priced up as the heavy favourites to beat bottom-of-the-table Bury on Saturday. The Shakers, however, make appeal to me for a surprise success. Bury are running out of time in their own bid to stay up but over 2/1 is a tempting price for a much-improved side to get a three-point haul. The Shakers have only lost twice in their previous nine outings and can pose a trickier test than the bookies expect.

Saturday afternoon's Sky Bet League Two selection

Coventry to beat Crewe, Sky Bet League Two (Saturday, 1500 GMT)

Coventry need a three-point haul at Crewe to boost their case in the congested Sky Bet League Two promotion race. The Sky Blues sit seventh in the final play-off place ahead of the latest round of games and they are one of six clubs separated by six points between fourth and ninth in the standings. Coventry claimed an impressive win at Wycombe in their last match on the road and 6/4 is a decent price to get with Mark Robins' men for victory against Crewe. The Alex still have some work to do to remain in the EFL and they are a long way short of Coventry's quality.

Saturday lunchtime's TV game

Aleksandar Mitrovic to score and Fulham to beat QPR, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1230 GMT, Sky Sports Main Event)

It's fair to say Aleksandar Mitrovic is enjoying his time with Fulham. The Newcastle loanee has netted in all of his last seven appearances for the Cottagers, including doubles in both of his last two outings - wins against Sheffield United and Preston. The Serbia international never seemed to be fully trusted by Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez but Slavisa Jokanovic is getting the best out of his fellow countryman. Fulham are unsurprisingly odds-on across the board to win at home to QPR in Saturday's opening Sky Bet Championship game so Mitrovic is the man to back for a bit more value. Sky Bet go just a shade of odds-against that Mitrovic nets in a win for the Cottagers and that's enough to get my interest.

Recommended bet

2pts Leeds to draw with Sheffield Wednesday at 5/2

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Posted at 2010 GMT on 14/03/17.

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