Expert EFL predictions and free football tips from Aaron Ashley

Free football tips, best bets and expert accumulator advice for Saturday's EFL matches.

When to bet

3pm Saturday

Best bets

Swansea
1pt 23-20 general

Plymouth
2pts 11-8 Hills

Salford
2pts 3-4 Coral

Swansea v Derby

Swansea are still fine-tuning their possession-based style under manager Russell Martin but recent performances have been encouraging and they can take their unbeaten tally to five at Derby’s expense.

The Swans have had an inconsistent start to the year but have taken ten points from their last four outings to move up to the cusp of the top half.

Martin will be eyeing a strong finish to the campaign and the feeling is they are better than their current position, something they have illustrated in back-to-back wins to nil at fierce rivals Cardiff and Millwall.

Derby have been valiant in their efforts to avoid relegation after being docked 21 points but time is running out and they are still nine points adrift of safety with just six games to go.

Their cause hasn’t been helped by their dreadful away form and they may suffer an eighth straight road defeat in Wales, where the Swans have won four of their seven league assignments in 2022.

Burton v Plymouth

Steven Schumacher was named the League One manager of the month for March after guiding Plymouth to 18 points from a possible 21 and the good work can continue with victory at an out-of-sorts Burton.

The Pilgrims have now won seven of their last eight league contests to keep their chances of automatic promotion alive, and have recorded clean sheets in each of those victories.

And while Plymouth are arguably the hottest property in League One at present, Burton must be considered one of the most out-of-form teams.

Motivation levels appear to be on the wane for the Brewers, who have suffered five defeats in their last six league matches.

Relegation-threatened Morecambe inflicted a 3-0 defeat on Burton last weekend and, with confidence levels soaring, Schumacher’s side should be confident of repeating the trick.

Salford v Harrogate

Just five points separate Northampton in fourth and Sutton in 11th in League Two, and Salford, one of the teams sandwiched in between in a cloudy promotion picture, can bolster their playoff hopes with a home win over Harrogate.

Tranmere entertain Bristol Rovers and Swindon host Newport so this looks a decent opportunity for tenth-placed Salford to make up some ground and respond to Tuesday’s defeat to Port Vale.

There is no shame in losing to Vale, who have only lost one of their last 17 to rise up to third, and the Ammies should find the challenge of Harrogate considerably easier.

Salford had gone 11 games unbeaten and recorded four straight wins prior to Vale’s visit. That upturn in form featured draws with top two Forest Green and Exeter and victory over Swindon.

The Yorkshire visitors have little on the line and their only win in nine came against rock-bottom Scunthorpe, suggesting Salford should be able to ease to maximum points.

Accumulator

Nottingham Forest 6-10, Plymouth 11-8, Port Vale 4-9, Salford 8-11. £1 acca returns £9.49 with Hills

First scorer

Brennan Johnson Nottingham Forest v Birmingham 3pm
at 11-2 bet365

Nottingham Forest are going to have a tough job fighting off the summer attention for Brennan Johnson, who looks decent value to open the scoring against Birmingham. The Tricky Trees winger bagged a brace at Blackpool last weekend and also netted the opener in Wednesday's 2-0 home victory over Coventry.

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