Expert EFL and FA Cup predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs

Free football tips, best bets & analysis for Saturday's Championship and FA Cup first-round matches.

When to bet

Kick-offs from 3pm Saturday

Best bets

Blackpool draw no bet
2pts Evs Hills

Bristol City or draw double chance
2pts Evsbet365, BoyleSports

Norwich
2pts 19-20 bet365, Betfred

Crawley draw no bet
2pts 6-5general

Blackpool v Luton

Blackpool are having an up-and-down season, in keeping with many of their Championship rivals, but they can respond to their 1-0 Tuesday night loss at West Brom by beating mid-table Luton at Bloomfield Road.

The Tangerines had registered back-to-back wins before their narrow loss at the Hawthorns and given their modest budget they are doing reasonably well.

Blackpool are 16th, just two points outside the top half, and carry a significant threat thanks to prolific striker Jerry Yates, who has bagged nine goals and shares the division's top scorer honours alongside Burnley's Jay Rodriguez.

Yates notched seven of those goals in his last six appearances and looks a huge threat to a Luton defence weakened by injuries to central defenders Reece Burke and Sonny Bradley and an ongoing suspension for Gabriel Osho.

Luton were in the playoff positions two weeks ago but they were hammered 4-0 at Watford and have been below par in home draws against Sunderland and Reading.

Hatters' manager Nathan Jones bemoaned the relentless schedule and the timing of the World Cup during his midweek press conference and his out-of-sorts team could be heading for a defeat by the seaside.

Middlesbrough v Bristol City

Bristol City have slipped into the bottom half of the Championship after taking one point from their last three games, but they have one of the most potent attacks in the division and can do some damage against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

A top-six finish should be the aim for Nigel Pearson's City, who are spoilt for choice in the final third.

Robins attackers Tommy Conway, Nahki Wells, Antoine Semenyo and Andi Weimann are all capable of match-winning contributions and any of them could strike the decisive blow against Boro, who are getting used to life under new manager Michael Carrick.

Boro triumphed 3-1 at Hull on Tuesday with the help of two own goals, but they are far from the finished article and may struggle to take more than a point this weekend.

Rotherham v Norwich

Stuttering Norwich will be desperate to kick-start this season before the World Cup and they can make a start by beating Rotherham at the New York Stadium.

The Canaries played some decent football in a 0-0 draw at home to QPR on Wednesday and should see off the Millers, who have taken just one point from their last four matches.

Crawley v Accrington

League Two Crawley overcame Bristol Rovers and Fulham in the early rounds of this season's EFL Cup and they can register a home win over League One Accrington in the FA Cup first round.

The Red Devils are unbeaten in five matches under interim manager Lewis Young and should be a tough proposition for Stanley, who have taken just one point from their last six league games.

Accumulator

Millwall 5-6,Swansea 10-11, MK Dons 2-5,Peterborough 4-9
£1 acca returns £7.01 with bet365

First scorer

Chris Willock QPR v West Brom
at 9-1 bet365

QPR's Chris Willock is one of the top attacking talents in the Championship and he looks overpriced to bag the opener at home to struggling West Brom.

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