Expert EFL predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's EFL matches.

When to bet

Kick-offs from 3pm Saturday

Best bets

Gillingham draw no bet
3pts 10-11 Betfred

Oxford
2pts 29-20bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes

Stoke
2pts 6-5 Betfred, Coral, Ladbrokes

Fleetwood or draw double chance
2pts 20-21BoyleSports

Gillingham v Barrow

League Two strugglers Gillingham are the EFL's lowest scorers with just five goals but they have improved over recent weeks and look a solid draw-no-bet wager against Barrow at the Priestfield Stadium.

Given the Gills' lack of goals and their record of just two league wins in 13 attempts, it makes sense to take the draw out of the equation.

But it is also perfectly reasonable to identify them as the likelier winners against mid-table Barrow, who make the long trip south following four successive league losses.

Only a month ago Barrow were second in the table, but their confidence has eroded with a run of defeats which included last Saturday's 2-1 reverse at relegation-threatened Rochdale.

The Bluebirds were beaten by a Rochdale team who have started to improve and they may suffer a similar fate against the Gills, who are unbeaten in six matches.

Neil Harris's side secured a well-deserved 1-1 draw at home to leaders Stevenage last Saturday and they have every chance of taking maximum points against Barrow.

Stoke v Coventry

Stoke are among a whole host of Championship clubs hoping to affect the promotion race and they can improve their chances with a victory over second-bottom Coventry at the bet365 Stadium.

The Potters were on the wrong end of a harsh result when losing 1-0 at home to Rotherham on Tuesday, but they had won their previous two matches and are only five points outside the top six.

Coventry are six points worse off having played three games fewer and were delighted to climb off the foot of the table on Wednesday when Martyn Waghorn's 87th-minute penalty secured a 1-0 victory at home to Sheffield United.

However, the Sky Blues have won just one of eight away games this season and could be heading for defeat in the Potteries.

Oxford v Peterborough

Oxford ended a five-game winless run with a dominant 4-2 success at Exeter last Saturday and they have a good chance to chalk up another League One victory when taking on Peterborough at the Kassam Stadium.

The return from injury of key players is making a big difference for Karl Robinson's side, and their recent improvement is bad news for promotion-chasing Posh, who have lost five of seven away league fixtures.

Exeter v Fleetwood

Fleetwood have made a lot of progress since narrowly avoiding League One relegation last season and they look a solid bet to avoid defeat against Exeter at St James Park.

Scott Brown's resilient side have lost just one of six away league matches this season and should pick up at least a point against the Grecians, who have lost their last three matches and conceded four goals on each of those occasions.

Accumulator

Bolton 7-5, Portsmouth 17-20, Tranmere 7-5, Swindon 7-10
A £1 acca returns £17.69 with bet365

First scorer

Antoine Semenyo Reading v Bristol City
at 8-1 bet365

Bristol City attacker Antoine Semenyo has only recently forced his way into the starting line-up but he has undoubted quality and can back up his superb midweek assist in the 2-0 success at West Brom by scoring the opening goal at Reading.

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport