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 3pm Saturday

Best bets

Bristol Rovers
2pts 13-8 bet365

Carlisle draw no bet
2pts 6-5BoyleSports

Swindon
2pts 23-20 Coral

Wimbledon
1pt 11-5bet365

Lincoln draw no bet
1pt 8-5 BoyleSports

Bristol Rovers v Forest Green

The League Two promotion race continues to ebb and flow and long-term leaders Forest Green may struggle to get over the finishing line when facing fifth-placed Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Ground.

Forest Green have topped the division since September and need one more point to make sure of promotion. But they have gone off the boil in recent months, recording four wins from their last 13 fixtures.

A season-ending injury to 23-goal top scorer Matty Stevens has not helped the table-toppers, who were beaten 4-0 at Barrow on their last road trip.

And Forest Green face a tough battle against the Pirates, who have sailed into promotion contention with seven wins from their last nine games.

Joey Barton's Rovers demonstrated quality and spirit by coming from behind to win 3-1 at Port Vale on Monday and they have a decent chance of gathering another massive three points.

Harrogate v Carlisle

There will be less at stake between League Two strugglers Harrogate and Carlisle, who are assured of finishing above the drop zone and outside the top half, but there are grounds for siding with the visiting Cumbrians at Wetherby Road.

Carlisle were second-bottom when Paul Simpson was appointed exactly two months ago but they have surged to safety with seven wins in 12 matches.

Simpson's team were 1-0 winners at home to promotion-chasing Mansfield on Monday and can follow up against injury-ravaged Harrogate, who have lost eight of their last ten fixtures.

Hartlepool v Swindon

Swindon have had a wobble, losing three of their last five League Two matches, but they can revive their playoff hopes with a victory over mid-table Hartlepool.

The expected return from injury of 16-goal top scorer Harry McKirdy could make a huge difference for the Robins, who can edge past an out-of-sorts Pools side without a win in six games.

Fleetwood v Wimbledon

Wimbledon have not won a League One match in 25 attempts – a run that stretches back to early December – but they can keep their survival hopes alive by defeating relegation rivals Fleetwood at Highbury.

The Wombles played some good football in a 1-1 draw a home to Wycombe on Monday and have a decent chance against Fleetwood, who have won once in 18 league games.

Accrington v Lincoln

Lincoln have endured a largely disappointing League One campaign, but they were impressive 3-0 winners at home to Cheltenham on Monday and can follow with a win over Accrington.

The Imps' slick counter-attacking capabilities could be key against attack-minded Accy, who have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 games.

Accumulator

Nottingham Forest 4-6, Ipswich 4-7, Bradford 4-9, Exeter 7-10
£1 acca returns £6.42 with BoyleSports

First scorer

Joel Piroe Swansea v Middlesbrough
at 6-1 bet365

Swansea's classy Dutch striker has netted five goals in the last four games and is an obvious threat to stuttering Middlesbrough, who have lost three of their last four matches.

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