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

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

When to watch

Kick-offs from 1pm Saturday

Best bets

Forest Green
3pts 5-4 Betway
Carlisle
2pts 11-8bet365, Betfred, Hills
Derby or draw double chance
1pt 4-5Betfair, Paddy Power
Salford
2pts 7-5Betfair, Betfred, Paddy Power

Harrogate v Forest Green

Harrogate have not looked out of place in their debut season in the EFL but they have suffered from a spate on injuries in recent weeks and look worth opposing for their League Two contest at home to highflying Forest Green.

Several fourth division sides are having to manage their finances by carrying fairly small squads and Harrogate were clearly stretched on Tuesday with manager Simon Weaver naming just four substitutes for their 5-2 loss at home to struggling Scunthorpe.

Weaver admitted that his players were lacking their usual energy but he has few options to freshen things up and looks particularly short of defenders with Will Smith (hamstring) and Dan Jones (groin) injured and Kevin Lokko suspended.

Harrogate's loss to Scunthorpe followed a 4-0 defeat at home to Blackpool in the FA Cup second round and any further loose defending could be exploited by Forest Green, who remained fourth after a 1-1 draw at home to leaders Newport on Tuesday.

Four of Forest Green's seven league wins have come on the road and another could be forthcoming in Yorkshire.

Bradford v Carlisle

Bradford were among the League Two pre-season promotion favourites but they are 22nd after Tuesday's 2-1 loss at home to Cheltenham and could be heading for further misery when hosting in-form Carlisle at Valley Parade.

Pressure is building on Bantams boss Stuart McCall, who has presided over four successive defeats.

But his hands have been tied by an injury crisis which has denied him the services of key attackers Billy Clarke, Gareth Evans, Kurtis Guthrie and Lee Novak.

None of them were available to face Cheltenham and McCall is pondering taking a risk with Novak, who is nowhere near fully fit after missing the last six weeks with a calf strain.

While Bradford are short of confidence and fit forwards, fifth-placed Carlisle have a spring in their step after Wednesday's 2-1 success at home to Salford.

The Cumbrians are without regular midfielder Callum Guy, who serves a one-game-ban, but still look a solid bet.

Millwall v Derby

Derby have started life under Wayne Rooney with a couple of disappointing 1-1 draws at home to Wycombe and Coventry. But they scored first in both of those games and another bright start could set them up for a decent Championship result against Millwall at the Den.

The Rams are better than they have shown this season and can frustrate mid-table Millwall, who have gone seven matches without a victory.

Barrow v Salford

Salford could have no complaints with Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Carlisle but they make a swift return to Cumbria to take on lowly Barrow and look worthy favourites to collect the points.

Richie Wellens was appointed Salford manager in last month with a brief to get them playing a more attacking style of football.

There are sure to be ups and downs along the way but Wellens has inherited a strong team and they should have too much quality for fourth-bottom Barrow, who are winless in seven games.

Accumulator

Sunderland (4-11), Plymouth draw no bet (8-13), Bristol Rovers or draw double chance (7-10), Stevenage (5-6)
£1 acca returns 6.85 with Betway

First scorer

Luke Jephcott Plymouth v Ipswich
9-2 bet365, Betfred, Betway

Plymouth need a positive response after their 4-0 loss at home to Rochdale on Tuesday and they can rely on striker Luke Jephcott, who can add to his eight-goal tally with the opener against Ipswich.

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