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Sky Bet EFL: Match previews and best bets for fixtures on Saturday November 23
We're back to a full card of Sky Bet EFL action this weekend and Tom Carnduff has found two best bets at prices of 7/5 and 6/1.
Recommended bets
2pts James McClean to score anytime in Stoke v Wigan at 6/1
2pts Wycombe to beat Doncaster at 7/5
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Stoke v Wigan
It's been a hectic few weeks for Michael O'Neill, but he demonstrated little issue in balancing club and international football with a convincing 4-2 victory over Barnsley in his first game in charge of Stoke.
He has spent this international break with Northern Ireland but has outlined that he has had no problem whatsoever in ensuring that both had his full attention over the last ten days.
That victory at Oakwell was the perfect start with three points and four goals on the tally. The initial aim will be to avoid relegation and Stoke now have the perfect opportunity to build some momentum as they welcome a Wigan side who struggle on the road.
The Latics have two points from a possible 24 away from the DW Stadium and they should be leaving empty-handed again on Saturday with O'Neill understanding the importance of positive football at home.
"I like my team to be playing on the front foot," he told the media in his first pre-match press conference.
"I like energy in my team, I like intensity in my team - in a 4-3-3 system whatever that may be or a 4-4-2 at times.
"So it will be that, particularly here at home, I think the supporters want to see a team set up in a positive way and one that approaches the game in a positive way and that's the message that we've hammered home to the players."
They lined up in the 4-3-3 at Barnsley and that allowed James McClean to fill the left-wing role.
He's fluctuated between areas on the left side of the pitch throughout this season, despite being an attack-minded player, and Nathan Jones often elected to often hold him back in the left-back position.
McClean should be much more advanced here and his performance at Barnsley brought positives - particularly in having opportunities on goal.
The standout 6/1 looks very generous and there's nothing wrong with quotes around the 7/2 mark that he scores here.
This Wigan side has one of the worst defensive records on the road this season with 15 goals conceded to just five in reply. O'Neill will know the importance of not just the victory, but one with a comfortable margin too and will want his side attacking from the off.
McClean earned his side a penalty last time out which was converted by Lee Gregory. It's worth backing him to go one better and get on the scoresheet himself.
Best bet: James McClean to score anytime at 6/1
Opta facts
- Stoke City are winless in 10 league games against Wigan (D7 L3) since a 2-0 win in the Premier League in May 2009.
- Wigan have already lost once against Stoke City this season, losing 1-0 in the League Cup first round in August.
- Stoke’s 4-2 win over Barnsley in their last Championship match was the first time they’d scored four times in a league match since December 2015. The Potters haven’t hit four goals in back to back league games since November 1995.
- Only their opponents Wigan (5) have scored fewer goals in open play in the Championship this season than Stoke (8).
- Wigan have won one of their last 29 away league matches (D7 L21), a 2-1 win at Leeds in April.
- Stoke City have won fewer home Championship points than any other side this season (4).
Wycombe v Doncaster
Dropping down into Sky Bet League One where there is real appeal in backing the league leaders to win at home.
Wycombe's season has been nothing short of excellent so far with just one defeat in 17 games putting them three points clear at the top of England's third tier, and they know they have to keep picking up results with Ipswich holding two games in hand.
Wanderers also possess the best home record in the league with no side able to win in nine games at Adams Park - with seven of those ending in a home victory.
There's no denying that Doncaster's form has picked up in recent weeks but they are a side that rely on home comforts.
Seventeen of their 23 points this season have come in front of their own supporters, leaving them with one of the worst away records in the division.
From Wycombe's results this season, you get the impression that Gareth Ainsworth has placed an emphasis on results in the league.
They dropped out of the Football League Trophy at the group stage while they were beaten by Tranmere in the FA Cup in midweek.
That result against Tranmere came just days after beating them in the league, and Ainsworth's team selection reflected the desire to prioritise the league campaign.
They can return to winning ways in front of their own supporters and demonstrate again that Rovers are there to be opposed on the road.
Best bet: Wycombe to beat Doncaster at 7/5
Opta facts
- Wycombe have only lost one of their previous seven meetings with Doncaster in all competitions (W4 D2), a 0-3 away loss in August 2018.
- Doncaster have lost all three of their away league games against Wycombe, each time by a one-goal margin (0-1 in September 1993, 1-2 in April 2017 and 2-3 in January 2019).
- Wycombe have won nine of their last 11 home league games, drawing the other two.
- Doncaster won their first away league game of the season in their last trip, scoring more goals in their 7-1 win at Southend than they had in their previous 11 on the road combined (6).
- After a run of scoring just one goal in nine league games, Doncaster’s Kieran Sadlier has found the net in each of his last three League One matches.
Sporting Life Accumulator
We start in the Sky Bet Championship, where STOKE CITY will be hoping to continue their positive start under new boss Michael O'Neill. The Potters won in their first game under the Northern Irishman at Barnsley and they host Wigan, who are without a win in their last four.
In Sky Bet League One, ROTHERHAM travel to 21st-placed MK Dons while promotion-chasers PETERBOROUGH welcome Burton as Darren Ferguson's side look to secure a third successive victory in all competitions.
And finally, in Sky Bet League Two, FOREST GREEN ROVERS travel to Leyton Orient, who sacked manager Carl Fletcher last week after going on a run of six without victory in all competitions.
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Odds correct at 1600 GMT (22/11/19)
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