Dan Childs: free football betting tips & predictions for Saturday's EFL matches

Free football tips and predictions for Saturday's EFL matches.

When to bet

From 1pm Saturday

Best bets

Crewe +0.5 on Asian handicap
2pts 41-40 bet365
Blackburn
2pts 6-5Betfred, Betway, Hills
Oxford
2pts 11-10Betfred, BoyleSports, Hills
Bolton
1pt 7-4Betfair, Betway, Hills

Portsmouth v Crewe

Crewe are adjusting impressively to life in League One and can build on back-to-back 2-0 victories at home to Peterborough and away to Oxford by avoiding defeat at promotion-chasing Portsmouth.

David Artell's Railwaymen play some of the slickest football in the division but have had a few hard-luck stories to tel including last month's 1-0 loss at Ipswich, where they dominated for long periods and won the shot count 12 to six.

However, results are starting to turn in their favour and they are up to 12th despite having faced six of the top seven teams.

The Alex will anticipate a tough challenge against sixth-placed Pompey but it is not one they will fear.

Portsmouth were the proud holders of the EFL's only unbeaten home record in the 2019-20 campaign but fortress Fratton Park has been breached on three occasions this season with Wigan, Doncaster and Charlton walking away with maximum points.

Trips to Portsmouth have becoming less intimidating with the absence of vocal home fans and that may explain why Kenny Jackett's side have banked twice as many points on the road (14) than at Fratton Park (seven).

Portsmouth are well-placed in the league but they face a Crewe side with a spring in their step and may struggle to justify odds-on favouritism.

Luton v Blackburn

Injuries have disrupted Blackburn's flow this season but the international break has allowed them to get closer to a fully-fit squad as they prepare to take on Luton at Kenilworth Road.

After 11 games, tenth-placed Luton are three points better off than 12th-placed Blackburn but the markets favour the away win and there is a case to be made for backing the Lancashire side at odds-against.

Rovers' manager Tony Mowbray thinks his team are capable of pushing up towards the top six and he is probably right.

Blackburn are the division's top scorers with 21 goals and are looking forward to welcoming back one of their main match-winners with attacking midfielder Bradley Dack close to returning from a long-term knee injury.

There is room for improvement at the back but Mowbray's men may have too much firepower for the Hatters, who have picked up just one point from the last three home fixtures.

Wigan v Oxford

Seven defeats in ten games have left Oxford languishing in the League One relegation zone but Karl Robinson's side do not look bound for League Two and can pick up a much-needed three points when facing fellow struggles Wigan at the DW Stadium.

Tuesday was a low point for Oxford, who deservedly lost 2-0 at home to a confident Crewe.

However, Robinson's side had won two of their previous three games and they should be too strong for the Latics, who have gone ten matches without a victory.

Stevenage v Bolton

Bolton have won back-to-back games for the first time this season and have a great chance to keep their mini-revival going when taking on Stevenage in Hertfordshire.

The Trotters were worthy 2-0 winners at home to big-spending Salford last Friday and look superior to Boro, who have won one of 12 games and look set for another season of struggle.

Accumulator

Northampton draw no bet (6-5), Cambridge (8-11), Leyton Orient or draw double chance (8-15), Carlisle draw no bet (4-5)
£1 acca returns 10.48 with Hills

First scorer

Ismaila Sarr QPR v Watford
15-2 bet365

Watford attacker Ismaila Sarr was on a hot streak before the international break, scoring three goals in four games, and looks a potential match-winner for the Hornets when they take on QPR at Loftus Road.

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