Sky Bet EFL betting tips: Easter Monday preview

Recommended bets: EFL 

2pts Crewe to beat Yeovil at 23/10 - Alex have won three out of their last four away games and this price is inviting

1pt Yeovil to be relegated from Sky Bet League Two at 20/1 - Glovers are now just four points ahead of second-bottom Newport as awful form continues

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Crewe to beat Yeovil, League Two & Yeovil to be relegated

Yeovil have been slipping steadily into Sky Bet League Two relegation trouble. The Glovers lost 1-0 against second-bottom Newport on Good Friday and now sit just four points above County with four matches of the season remaining. The Glovers have won just one of their 15 games since the start of February and I don't see a victory arriving in Easter Monday's clash at home to Crewe. Alex are in decent form on their travels, winning at Portsmouth, Crawley and Carlisle for successes in three of their previous four away games. Crewe have to be worth some support at 23/10 to get the better of Yeovil. I also want an interest in the 20/1 available for the Glovers to be relegated. Darren Way's men have lost their last three games and I'm sure they'll need at least another win to secure survival. Newport have won three contests in a row to put pressure on Yeovil, Hartlepool and Cheltenham. That means there's all to play for with that trio of clubs all feeling increasingly nervous. I think the battle to stay up will now go down to the wire and the 20/1 for the Glovers to drop into non-league football won't remain if they lose against Crewe. 

Other bets worth considering:   

Over 3.5 goals in Fulham v Aston Villa, Championship

The first live Sky Bet Championship match available to Sky Sports 1 viewers on Easter Monday is Fulham's clash at home to Aston Villa, kick-off is at 1445 BST. The Cottagers sit two points behind sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday as they look to make their way into the play-offs and the game against the Owls on the final day of the season is sure to be crucial. Aston Villa will end the campaign in mid-table and they would be well advised to keep faith in Steve Bruce to continue rebuilding over the summer. I'm going for goals in this match to follow the trend of Fulham's last 10 games. Eight of the previous 10 contests involving the Cottagers have finished with four or more goals so over 3.5 goals at around 2/1 has to be worth a look.

Under 2.5 goals in Ipswich v Newcastle, Championship

Ipswich's survival in the Sky Bet Championship is nearly secured but don't expect Mick McCarthy's men to turn on the style against second-placed Newcastle. Only one of the Tractor Boys' last five home games has gone over the 2.5 goals mark and I don't expect too much entertainment as the Magpies try to edge their way to a Premier League return. Newcastle were frustrated late on in Friday night's 1-1 draw with Leeds and I wouldn't be surprised to see another tough low-scoring contest for Rafael Benitez's team.

Derby to score first against Huddersfield, Championship

Derby v Huddersfield provides an intriguing watch live on Sky Sports 1 at 1700 BST. The Rams were thrashed 4-0 by Brentford on Friday and I'm certain that Gary Rowett will expect a big response from his players after the first defeat of his reign. Huddersfield are bound for the play-offs but they've lost their last two away games to nil and I wouldn't be surprised to see another defeat on the road for David Wagner's men. My best bet is for Derby to open the scoring at even-money. They netted first in their three matches prior to being thrashed by the Bees and much better is expected after their Friday failings.

Sheffield United to beat Bradford, League One

Bolton's 1-0 defeat at Bury has confirmed Sheffield United as this season's Sky Bet League One champions. There can be no argument that the Blades have been the best team in the third tier and I reckon even-money is worth taking for Chris Wilder's side to win at home to Bradford, kick-off is at 1215 BST and the match is live on Sky Sports 1. The Bantams are destined to be part of the play-offs but this is a good chance to back the division's best team at an inviting price.  

Bristol Rovers to beat Oldham, League One

Oldham are close to securing their survival in Sky Bet League One after the 1-0 victory over Bolton moved them six points above the relegation zone. The Latics' best form has come at home though and I don't see John Sheridan's team claiming a second away victory in seven matches when they travel to Bristol Rovers. The play-offs are virtually out of reach for the Pirates but even money is well worth taking for another three points to extend their unbeaten home run to 12 matches.

Mansfield to draw with Luton, League Two

Automatic promotion from Sky Bet League Two is almost out of reach for fourth-placed Luton as they travel to Mansfield. Nathan Jones' men collected a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to bottom-of-the-table Leyton Orient on Friday and I think another point is on the way for the inconsistent Hatters. Mansfield sit two points outside the play-offs so they still have a chance of joining Luton in the top seven but this is a really evenly-matched contest and I just can't pick a winner.

Posted at 1945 BST on 15/04/17.   

Sky Bet EFL permutations

Press Association Sport looks at the promotion and relegation issues that can be decided on Easter Monday.

Sky Bet Championship

Brighton will be promoted to the Premier League if they better third-placed Huddersfield's result - matching Town would see them 12 points clear with a vastly superior goal difference and Huddersfield only having 12 to play for. The Seagulls host struggling Wigan, while Huddersfield are away to Derby in a 5pm kick-off.

Huddersfield, though, could clinch their play-off position with victory if Fulham earlier lose at home to Aston Villa.

Derby require a win - or a draw coupled with a Sheffield Wednesday defeat at QPR - to keep their play-off hopes alive. They must also hope Fulham drop points.

Preston and Norwich play each other at Deepdale and only the winner will still be able to reach the play-offs, and then only if the incumbent teams drop points. Norwich can only catch Wednesday while Leeds, if they lose to Wolves, are also within Preston's reach.

Cardiff are as good as safe and will mathematically assure their survival if they avoid defeat against Nottingham Forest. Ipswich can do likewise if they better Blackburn's result - the Tractor Boys host Newcastle and Rovers face Bristol City, as can Wolves if they win and Blackburn do not.

Sky Bet League One

Sheffield United are already certain of the title. Wins in their final three games would take them to 100 points.

Fleetwood can clinch their play-off spot by beating Millwall, who would then be unable to catch them - or Bradford, should the Bantams win at Bramall Lane.

If Southend lose at home to MK Dons, then draws would be enough for Fleetwood and Bradford while Scunthorpe could also make sure by beating Chesterfield, relegating the Spireites in the process.

If Fleetwood and Bradford both lose, Bolton would then be able to secure the second promotion spot by beating Bury at home on Tuesday night.

Defeat at home to Oldham would end Bristol Rovers' play-off hopes and even a draw may not be enough. Rochdale would also be out of contention if Millwall better their result, or if Southend win and Dale drop points at home to relegated Coventry.

Chesterfield's relegation will be rubber-stamped unless they win at Scunthorpe, Port Vale and Swindon fail to win at Oxford and Walsall respectively, and Bury then lose on Tuesday.

Gillingham can secure their survival if they win, Vale lose and Swindon drop points. Oldham, Charlton and Northampton are two points better off than the Gills, so draws could be enough.

Sky Bet League Two

Doncaster are already promoted and Plymouth will join them unless they lose at home to struggling Newport and Luton win at Mansfield.

If Luton drop points, Portsmouth can clinch promotion by winning at Notts County.

Leyton Orient will be relegated to the National League if they fail to beat Hartlepool at home.

If Newport, Hartlepool or Cheltenham drop points, some combination of Notts County, Barnet, Morecambe, Crewe and Crawley can set aside any lingering threat of relegation.

With much of the table so closely bunched, Notts County and Barnet could simultaneously be eliminated from play-off contention and move mathematically safe from relegation.

Vanarama National League

Lincoln will return to the Football League if they win at Gateshead and Tranmere fail to beat Guiseley.