Nick Hext backs Reading to win at Norwich as his top tip for this weekend in the Sky Bet EFL.
Recommended bet: EFL
Click here for our transparent tipping record.
Reading to beat Norwich, Championship
Over 3/1 for Reading to win at Norwich on Saturday afternoon just seems a little too big. The fourth-placed Royals are sure to be one of the four sides battling it out in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs after embarking on a three-match winning run. Reading's best form this season has come on their own turf but they did claim an impressive 2-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday in their last away game. That should give them more than enough optimism to take on a Norwich side at Carrow Road that has only won one of their last nine outings. The Canaries are definitely looking ahead to the next campaign but Jaap Stam's Reading still have more than enough to play for to make appeal at inviting odds.
Other bets worth considering:
Brighton to beat QPR, Championship
I'll keep it simple by backing Brighton to win at QPR in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Friday night. The second-placed Seagulls are odds-against to get the three points and that's more than good enough for me as they target a fifth win from six matches. QPR got themselves out of any lingering danger with a strong run of results last months but back-to-back 1-0 defeats show the season is winding down for Ian Holloway's men. Brighton are not too far from getting over the line for automatic promotion but victory is needed at Loftus Road to move back above leaders Newcastle, for one night at least.
Over 2.5 goals in Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle, Championship
Newcastle's trip to Sheffield Wednesday should provide decent entertainment for viewers on Saturday evenin,g live on Sky Sports 1. The Magpies and Brighton seem destined for automatic promotion but this is a good test of the credentials of Rafael Benitez's side in the title race. Wednesday are battling it out for a spot in the play-offs but they have been hit-and-miss lately with two wins, two draws and two defeats in their previous six games. I'm tempted by Newcastle for the win but there's enough quality in Wednesday's ranks to be wary so I'll side with over 2.5 goals given the attacking talent on show.
Bolton to beat Scunthorpe, League One
Bolton are on the way to promotion from Sky Bet League One and I expect another three-point haul at out-of-form Scunthorpe on Saturday afternoon. Wanderers have won six and drawn one of their last seven games to pull clear of third-placed Fleetwood and 8/5 is a more than decent enough price for victory over the Iron. Just two wins from 13 matches has seen Scunthorpe struggle to hold on to a play-off place and they will do well to cope with an impressive Bolton outfit.
Oldham to draw with Fleetwood, League One
The Sky Bet League One relegation scrap is set to go down to the wire. Oldham are one of seven sides separated by just five points in the scrap to avoid joining doomed Chesterfield and Coventry in Sky Bet League Two next season. The Latics host third-placed Fleetwood on Saturday and I'm happy to predict a fourth draw in six games for John Sheridan's men. Oldham have held champions-elect Sheffield United in that run so they've no reason to fear the Cod Army, who have fallen behind Bolton in the battle to join the Blades in winning automatic promotion.
Blackpool to beat Grimsby, League Two
Blackpool are a simple choice for me at just short of even-money to win at home to Grimsby on Saturday afternoon. The Seasiders have won their last three home matches on the spin and they are unbeaten in their previous 10 outings at Bloomfield Road. Grimsby have kept out of trouble during their return to Sky Bet League Two but a four-match winless run shows that momentum is running out of their campaign. Blackpool still have a play-off place to fight for so should be backed for the three points.
Cambridge to beat Leyton Orient to nil, League Two
It shouldn't come as a surprise to you that I expect Leyton Orient to lose this weekend. The bottom-of-the-table O's are on the way out of the EFL and a five-match losing run is just the tip of their problems given the many off-field issues at the club. Cambridge are still targeting a play-off place and they can give that bid a much-needed boost with a win to nil over Orient, who have only managed one goal in those last five defeats.
Posted at 0900 BST on 07/04/17.
