EFL Betting Tips

Saturday 12:30pm: Burnley v Blackburn – Half-time Draw
Saturday 12:30pm: Coventry v Norwich – Both teams to score in the first half
Saturday 12:30pm: Cardiff v Middlesbrough – Middlesbrough to lead at 30 minutes

Sunday 3pm: Sheffield United v Watford – Watford over 0.5 first-half goals

Saturday 12:30pm: Burnley v Blackburn

Half time: draw

TV: Sky Sports Football

This East Lancashire affair is one that both sets of fans circle on the calendar at the start of every season, and an intriguing contest is set to play out at Turf Moor. Ask any Blackburn fan after Burnley opened the campaign by beating Luton 4-1 and Cardiff 5-0 if they feared this contest, then the answer would be a resounding yes. However, the bigger question is what sort of team Burnley can field. Friday’s transfer deadline is not ideal timing, so preparations ahead of Saturday’s battle have been somewhat disrupted. Also, playing a Carabao Cup tie at Wolves on Wednesday was probably a game they could’ve done without, especially as they had to play essentially whoever they had available.

Blackburn had the chance to rest players on Tuesday, albeit when knocked out of the cup, but they’ve certainly prepared for this match better than Burnley would have. Plus, Rovers have generally started the season well, with that Blackpool loss being their only setback, but it is only the cup at the end of the day. They can now travel believing a positive result is much more achievable. The club have been winless in the last nine head-to-head meetings, so, understandably, they don’t always look forward to facing Burnley, but now it may be different.

Derby games can often turn quite scrappy rather quickly, and there is every chance that would be the case here. Blackburn will pay immense respect to Burnley, and they’d probably jump at the opportunity if offered a draw pre-match. Burnley are almost having to rebuild their team again, and whatever has been before nearly has to be forgotten, given the influx of recent departures and new signings coming in. A first-half draw attracts, given it could turn into a midfield battle where little to no quality football is produced until things settle down.

Saturday 12:30pm: Coventry v Norwich

Both teams to score in the first half

TV: Sky Sports+

Both Coventry and Norwich would suffer defeat in their opening matches of the season, but there has been some steady progression since then, at least in terms of remaining unbeaten in league action. It looks a little more positive in the Coventry camp, considering that four without loss also includes three victories. Norwich are still adjusting to life under Johannes Hoff Thorup and have had to do so whilst seeing key players sold on, and no game is coming easy for them at present.

At least Canaries supporters will be encouraged to know they are creating chances. They are ranked fourth in the Championship based on Expected Goals, with only Middlesbrough, Luton and Watford managing higher. The Sky Blues are only a goal or so behind that figure, so goals in this weekend’s match are an instant possible betting avenue to follow. Both clubs have also impressed regarding their Expected Goals Against figures, but these are ultimately two attack-minded teams that always play to win, and that won’t suddenly change when they face one another.

This game really could be anything. Nothing is off the agenda. Both teams scored in 11 of Coventry’s last 14 home league fixtures. They play aggressively at home but haven’t always shown they can soak up pressure at the back. Norwich are playing a brand of football that is especially difficult to defend against when they get it right. Still, they concede an average of 2.40 goals per game in all competitions this season, which is a bad habit for any side. This could catch fire early on, considering both have an attack as the best defence mentality.

Saturday 12:30pm: Cardiff City v Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough to lead at 30 minutes

TV: Sky Sports+

Cardiff scored a second-half equaliser to take a draw away from the South Wales derby at Swansea last weekend to give them something to build upon. This was their first league point of the campaign, and with most of their regular starters rested for their midweek cup tie with Southampton, they have technically had a whole week to prepare for this. Middlesbrough had a night to forget in the cup on Tuesday when Stoke surprisingly beat them 5-0 at home, but they, too, rested some notable performers. Even so, that loss would have hurt manager Michael Carrick, who will demand a reaction.

Psychologically, it could be that Cardiff almost take their foot off it slightly after that Swansea result. That was a much better score for them than their rivals, given their recent head-to-head record, but they now have to get themselves up again, not for a derby but to face one of the best clubs in the division. Something Boro have done all season is create chances, so their sitting at the top of the league Expected Goals chart is of no surprise.

The Bluebirds don’t have recent solid memories of this fixture, having convincingly lost each of the last three. If both teams played to their best, the away side surely would prevail. However, considering the negativity their 5-0 setback to Stoke created, albeit after making significant changes, the manager and players will be keen to change the narrative, and a strong start to this match is a good way of doing that.

Sunday 3pm: Sheffield United v Watford

Watford over 0.5 first-half goals

TV: Sky Sports Football

There is no natural other way of putting it: Watford have had an incredible start to the season. Was this to be expected? No, not really, and manager Tom Cleverley himself has said as much. Nevertheless, they have played five and won five in all competitions, although the fact four of those were at home shouldn’t dampen their achievements. Indeed, a trip to Sheffield United presents their sternest test so far, but given that they average 3.00 goals per game, they travel in high spirits.

Within this period, The Hornets have developed a handy habit of scoring goals across the different segments within a 90-minute match. Ten of their 15 strikes did so within the second half, yet only in one of their opening fixtures have they failed to net a first-half goal. Considering how well they’ve been playing, they will be desperate to get back on the pitch again to try and extend this fine run of results. Cleverley and his team should relish the trip to Bramall Lane.

The Blades are winless in three and have been lacking some consistency lately. They opened the campaign impressively, winning 2-0 away at Preston North End, but haven’t necessarily kicked on from that. On the one hand, that may seem harsh, given they drew away at Norwich in their last league match, but they have had to implement many new signings rather quickly. Therefore, this can lead to some inconsistencies. With the transfer window closing on Friday night, now boss Chris Wilder can entirely focus on what is to come instead of worrying about more players departing. Moving forward, they will get stronger and stronger, but it could be a little up and down in the interim.

EFL Saturday Acca Tips

Saturday 12:30pm Burnley v Blackburn – Half-time Draw
Saturday 12:30pm Coventry v Norwich – Both teams to score in the first half
Saturday 12:30pm Cardiff v Middlesbrough – Middlesbrough to lead at 30 minutes

EFL Betting Tips

Sunday 3pm Sheffield United v Watford – Watford over 0.5 first-half goals

• All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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