EFL predictions: betting preview and free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Wednesday's EFL matches.

When to bet

Kick-offs from 5.30pm Wednesday

Best bets

Barnsley to beat Stoke
Sky Sports Red Button, 7pm Wednesday
1pt 11-8 Betfred, Betway & Hills

Both teams to score in Walsall v Newport
5.30pm Wednesday
1pt 4-5 general

Match preview

Two teams on the cusp of the Championship playoff places are out to enhance their top-six aspirations at Oakwell, where hosts Barnsley can silence Stoke.

The Potters travel to Yorkshire having won their last two home league games against Sheffield Wednesday and Luton, but they face a tougher task against a Barnsley side hitting a hot streak themselves.

The Tykes, who are level on 45 points with Stoke having played one game less, have recorded three wins on the spin against Brentford, Blackburn and Bristol City.

Prior to that, Valerien Ismael’s men were unlucky in defeat at home to a strong Chelsea side in the fifth round of the FA Cup, when they lost 1-0 despite winning the shot count 14-6 and limiting the Blues to just one effort on goal.

Barnsley are creating chances aplenty and they may be too lively for their more defensive-minded visitors Stoke, who are winless in seven away games and were thumped 4-1 at Norwich on their last road trip.

There are also two games taking place in League Two, and out-of-form pair Walsall and Newport are capable of serving up a thriller.

Despite being in the playoff places, Newport are in freefall with only one win in 12. But tough conditions at Rodney Parade are not making things any easier for them and they should be much happier on their travels.

Both teams have scored in each of Newport's last six league contests on the road and the sequence can continue at Walsall, who are without a league clean sheet in 17 outings.

Punters backing both teams to score have been rewarded in 13 of Walsall's last 15 league matches while Newport have netted in all 14 of their away games this season.

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