Dan Childs' free football tips, predictions for Saturday's FA Cup & EFL matches

Free football tips, best bets and predictions for Saturday's FA Cup third round and EFL matches.

When to watch

Kick-offs from midday Saturday

Best bets

Bradford draw no bet
3pts 4-5 Betfred
Nottingham Forest draw no bet
3pts 4-5bet365, Betfred, Hills
Fulham
1pt 6-5Betfair
Crewe
3pts Evs general

Scunthorpe v Bradford

There haven't been many successful managerial duos in English football but Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars have had a great start in the Bradford dugout and can extend the team's unbeaten sequence to six with a victory away to Scunthorpe in their League Two encounter.

Trueman and Sellars have steered Bradford to three wins and two draws, easing them four points clear of the drop zone, and will want to maintain their positive start for as long as possible.

They have been helped by improvements on the injury front with key attackers Lee Novak and Billy Clarke returning to full fitness.

Novak, a seasoned striker with a decent record in the third and fourth tiers, has netted three goals in his last six appearances and could cause a few problems for fifth-bottom Scunny, who haven't kept a clean sheet in seven games.

Scunthorpe are hoping to boost their survival hopes with a few smart January transfers and have made two signings this week – acquiring defender George Taft on loan from Bolton and free agent midfielder Jem Karacan.

However, the new arrivals may need time show their worth and their influence may not be enough to stop the rot for Scunthorpe, who have lost three of their last four matches.

Nottingham Forest v Cardiff

Nottingham Forest are edging away from the Championship relegation zone after a five-game unbeaten run and their improvement can continue with a victory over second tier rivals Cardiff in the FA Cup third round.

Forest manager Chris Hughton has spoken warmly about his affection for the FA Cup and has two winners medals after featuring in the Tottenham teams which lifted the trophy in 1981 and 1982.

He is unlikely to tinker too much and a strong Forest side should have the edge over Cardiff, who are suffering from a lack of confidence and the absence of some influential players.

The Bluebirds have lost four of their last five games and wrapped up a miserable end to 2020 with a 2-1 loss at Wycombe.

Their defeat in Buckinghamshire was compounded by an injury to powerful centre-back Sean Morrison, and Cardiff's defensive problems increased this week after Leicester loanee Filip Benkovic was recalled by the Foxes.

With Sol Bamba and Aden Flint also sidelined, Cardiff are running out of fit central defenders and may have to ask left-back Greg Cunningham or midfielder Will Vaulks to play alongside Curtis Nelson.

They are also weakened up front by the ongoing absence of Kieffer Moore (hamstring) and could be heading for another disappointing defeat.

QPR v Fulham

Fulham have missed two matches in the last fortnight after reporting several Covid cases but the health of their squad has improved in the last week and they look solid favourites to defeat London rivals QPR in the FA Cup third round.

The Cottagers make the short trip to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium with the aim of building on some encouraging Premier League performances.

They have lost just one of their last six league games and are likely to have too much quality for QPR, who are fifth bottom in the Championship.

QPR head to Luton for a key league fixture next Tuesday and manager Mark Warburton may decide to rest a few first-choice players.

Rochdale v Crewe

Crewe have climbed to within two points of the League One playoffs and their surge can continue with a victory over struggling Rochdale at Spotland.

The Railwaymen are unbeaten in seven and should have no fear of fourth-bottom Dale, who have gone nine home matches without a victory.

Accumulator

Blackburn (7-10), Everton (1-3), Leicester (4-5), Salford (4-5)
£1 acca returns £7.33 with Betfred

First scorer

Scott Quigley Southend v Barrow
5-1 Betfred

Barrow centre-forward Scott Quigley struggled for form and fitness in the early part of the League Two season but he has netted in each of the last four matches and can start the scoring against relegation rivals Southend at Roots Hall.

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