Expert EFL predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs

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

When to bet

Kick-offs from 12.30pm Saturday

Best bets

Bolton
3pts 13-10 general

Blackpool
3pts 10-11bet365, Coral

Bristol Rovers
3pts 6-5 Coral

Cheltenham draw no bet
1pt 10-11Betfred

Bolton v Fleetwood

Markets often favour teams with something to play for on the final weekend of any league campaign, but no amount of extra motivation may be enough for League One strugglers Fleetwood in their key contest at tenth-placed Bolton.

The Cod Army are outside the relegation zone due to their goal difference, which is 14 superior to fourth-bottom Gillingham, and know a victory would be sufficient to preserve third-tier football.

However, while they will be pleased to have control of their destiny, they are probably less enamoured by having to face one of the division's form sides.

Bolton were 18th after 24 games but they have racked up 44 points from their last 21 matches and need at least a draw to make sure of a top-ten finish.

The Trotters plan to push for promotion in 2022-23, but they remain focused on their football and are the only side in League One to have won their last three matches.

Improved performances are generating high attendances with over 19,000 fans witnessing the last two Bolton home games.

Trotters manager Ian Evatt wants to ensure a happy end to the season for another large crowd and his charges should see off Fleetwood, who have registered just one victory in their last 20 matches.

Blackpool v Derby

Blackpool should be delighted with how they have adapted to their first Championship season since 2014-15 and they can maintain hopes of a top-half finish by defeating relegated Derby at Bloomfield Road.

Avoiding relegation would have been the first target for the Seasiders but they have taken 60 points from 44 games.

Neil Critchley's side have taken seven points from their last three matches and have a great chance to sign off their home schedule with a win over the Rams.

Derby boss Wayne Rooney is looking to the future and selected five players aged between 18 and 21 for last Saturday's 3-1 loss at home to Bristol City.

However, his youthful team were well beaten and they may struggle to avoided another reverse this weekend.

Rochdale v Bristol Rovers

Bristol Rovers remain in the League Two automatic promotion hunt despite last Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to leaders Forest Green, and they can take advantage of an easier fixture by defeating Rochdale at the Crown Oil Arena.

An eighth win in 11 looks probable for Joey Barton's side, who should have too much quality and desire for 18th-placed Dale, winners of just 11 of their 44 league matches.

Cambridge v Cheltenham

Mid-table League One sides Cambridge and Cheltenham have consolidated impressively since winning promotion last season, and their mini-battle concerning who finishes higher could go the way of Cheltenham by virtue of an away win at the Abbey Stadium.

Michael Duff's Robins have lost their last two matches but they can respond against a Cambridge side lacking confidence following last Saturday's 5-1 reverse at Sunderland.

Accumulator

Middlesbrough 5-6, Nottingham Forest 4-7, Leyton Orient 17-10, Forest Green 2-5
£1 fourfold returns £10.86 with Betfred

First scorer

Lucas Joao Reading v West Brom
at 5-1 BoyleSports

Reading's in-form centre-forward has netted four goals in his last four appearances and looks a likely first scorer in the home match with mid-table West Brom.

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