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

3pm Saturday

Best bets

Wigan
2pts 21-20 general

Lincoln draw no bet
2pts 20-23BoyleSports

Bolton
1pt 6-5 general

Northampton
2pts 17-20Hills

Wigan v Reading

Wigan climbed into the top half of the Championship after back-to-back away wins and they can register a first home win of the campaign against fourth-placed Reading at the DW Stadium.

The top priority for most promoted clubs is to steer clear of the relegation zone but Wigan have looked comfortable at the higher level and could be genuine candidates for a top-half finish.

Leam Richardson's side had one bad experience when they lost 5-1 at home to Burnley but they responded positively, taking seven points from three games, and should be feeling confident going into the weekend.

Reading are two points better off but their presence inside the playoff places is unlikely to last.

The Royals have lost on three of their four Championship road trips and their 100 per cent home record ended with a 3-0 defeat to Sunderland on Tuesday.

Reading manager Paul Ince would like to freshen up his side but he has a small squad and may feel he has no option but to rely on largely the same players.

Ince has played down talk of Reading challenging for the top six and expectations could be dampened further by a second loss in four days.

Bristol Rovers v Lincoln

Lincoln's 2-0 success at home to Derby was one of the most eye-catching League One results on Tuesday and it could be swiftly followed by an Imps victory at Bristol Rovers.

Mark Kennedy's side were in need of a boost after three league games without a win but they were worthy winners against Derby and have climbed to within one point of the top half.

Kennedy will ask for more of the same and if standards are maintained his team should be more than a match for Rovers, who are winless in six.

Rovers had defensive duo Alfie Kilgour and Bobby Thomas sent off during the closing stages of Tuesday's 2-0 loss at Ipswich and they may struggle to avoid another defeat.

Bolton v Peterborough

Bolton moved into League One's top six after a fairly comfortable 2-0 success at MK Dons on Tuesday and their promotion challenge can be maintained with a home win over Peterborough.

The Trotters continue to impress with the quality of their football under Ian Evatt and they should have the answers against out-of-sorts Posh, who are on a five-game losing sequence.

Northampton v Rochdale

Northampton have stayed in the thick of the League Two promotion race despite a raft of early-season injuries and they look solid favourites to see off basement boys Rochdale at Sixfields.

The Cobblers are getting a few of their key men back off the treatment table and should not be stretched by winless Dale, who are rooted to the bottom of the table with just two points.

Accumulator

Millwall Evs, Norwich 6-5, Portsmouth 10-11, Sutton Utd 8-13
£1 acca returns £13.61 with BoyleSports

First scorer

Scott Hogan Birmingham v Coventry
at 6-1 bet365, Betfair, Power

Scott Hogan was Birmingham's hat-trick hero in a 3-2 success at West Brom on Wednesday and he could strike the first blow at home to Championship basement boys Coventry.

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