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 3pm Saturday

Best bets

Oxford -1 on Asian handicap
3pts 7-8 bet365

Doncaster draw no bet
3pts 11-10general

Carlisle draw no bet
2pts 6-5 general

Rochdale or draw double chance
2pts 8-11Betfred, BoyleSports

Oxford v Forest Green

A number of heavyweight teams are jostling for position towards the top of League One, but some well-run smaller clubs are hoping to get into the mix including Oxford, who look solid favourites to post a home win over basement boys Forest Green.

Oxford are no strangers to punching above their weight and have registered top-eight finishes in each of the last three campaigns.

Karl Robinson's men started the season slowly and were 20th after 11 games, but they have benefited from a shrinking injury list and rose to 12th after last Saturday's 4-0 home victory over Port Vale.

Oxford followed up with a 2-1 success at Woking in Wednesday's FA Cup first-round tie and they take on Forest Green with expectations of extending a six-game unbeaten run.

While Oxford are firmly on the up, Forest Green are finding life extremely difficult in their first third-tier campaign.

Ian Burchnall's side have taken two points from their last six games and won't be helped by the absence of injured quintet Matty Stevens, Jordan Moore-Taylor, David Davis, Reece Brown and Udoka Godwin-Malife or suspended midfielder Regan Hendry.

A four-point gap separates Forest Green from safety and their outlook could be even bleaker by the end of this weekend.

Colchester v Doncaster

Danny Schofield has got off to a promising start in the Doncaster dugout and can steer his League Two promotion hopefuls to victory at rock-bottom Colchester.

Rovers had gone four league games without a win when they turned to Schofield in late-October, but they are playing a more offensive style under their new boss and have reaped the rewards with back-to-back league victories.

Schofield's side were impressive 3-1 winners at Grimsby last Saturday and should be confident of another away success at Colchester, who are rooted to the foot of the table with just two wins from 18 matches.

The Essex outfit have gone eight games without a victory and their struggles may continue.

Salford v Carlisle

League Two promotion hopefuls Carlisle are unbeaten in four matches and their positive run could continue against ninth-placed Salford at Moor Lane.

Paul Simpson's Cumbrians have banked four points from their last two road trips and have every chance of beating Salford, who have gone eight matches without a home triumph.

Sutton v Rochdale

League Two strugglers Rochdale have become a much more competitive side in recent months, taking 13 points from their last nine games, and they can take at least a point from their visit to injury-hit Sutton United.

While Jim Bentley's Dale are no longer a soft touch, relegation rivals Sutton have gone five matches without a win.

Accumulator

Cambridge 11-8, Sheffield Wednesday 9- 20, Newport Evs, Swindon 4-5. £1 acca returns £12.37 with bet365

First scorer

Ayoub Assal Tranmere v AFC Wimbledon
at 17-2 bet365

Highly-rated AFC Wimbledon attacker Ayoub Assal has netted in six of his last seven appearances and looks a likely first scorer against Tranmere at Prenton Park.

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