Saturday EFL football picks: match previews, predictions, odds & tips

Birmingham v Bristol City

There were plenty of raised eyebrows – including several in the away dressing room – as the dust settled on Birmingham’s 1-0 win at Brentford last Saturday.

The Blues had just one shot on target, 24 per cent possession and were run off the park, so it's little wonder new boss Pep Clotet said he was happy with the result rather than the performance.

Birmingham got away with that one but pre-season thoughts that they will struggle in the Sky Bet Championship haven’t been allayed after one match and Bristol City look poised to put them in their place at St Andrew's.

City have endured a frustrating transfer window, losing key figures Lloyd Kelly and Adam Webster, but last-gasp swoops for Hungary star Adam Nagy and Benik Afobe look solid.

Well beaten by an impressive Leeds side last weekend, Lee Johnson’s team should bounce back at a venue where they won last season.

Recommendation
Bristol City
2pts 19-10 BoyleSports

Sheffield Wednesday v Barnsley

Barnsley's victory over Fulham last weekend perhaps shouldn't have been as big a surprise as it was taken to be and the Tykes can follow up by at least avoiding defeat down the road at Hillsborough.

The Yorkshire side, second favourites for relegation ante-post, look to have been seriously underrated and they were well worth the win against Fulham.

Wednesday got off to a flyer, winning 3-1 at a poor Reading, although keeper Keiren Westwood was sent off late on. He is suspended along with Dominic Iorfa.

Recommendation
Barnsley draw no bet
1pt 31-20 Betfair

• RANKED: This summer's top 10 Premier League transfers

Plymouth v Colchester

Pre-season optimism at Home Park doesn’t look misplaced on the evidence of their classy 3-0 win at Crewe on the opening weekend.

Ryan Lowe has brought a few Bury stars and much of the Shakers’ attacking swagger with him from Gigg Lane and Argyle are far more dangerous accordingly.

Unlucky to be relegated last term, they might not be in the basement for long and they can make it six points out of six by seeing off Colchester.

United were the lowest away scorers in the top ten last term and looked short of ideas in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Port Vale.

John McGreal has seen more quality players leave than arrive over the summer and it could take a few weeks for them to knit together.

Recommendation
Plymouth
2pts 23-20 Betway, BoyleSports

Derby v Swansea

Swansea’s only away win in their last ten Championship outings was at an Ipswich side who were already relegated.

They also lost 2-1 at Derby last term and can expect to suffer defeat again when they return to Pride Park.

It’s been all change at both clubs over the summer with their former bosses – Frank Lampard and Graham Potter – opting for spots in the Premier League rather than second terms in the second tier.

Phillip Cocu, Lampard’s successor, oversaw an excellent 2-1 win at Huddersfield in their opener and the Rams look as if they’ll be contenders again.

There is more of a question mark over Swansea, who have also lost key players, notably Dan James and Oli McBurnie.

Recommendation
Derby
1pt 5-4 general

Walsall v Forest Green

Walsall arguably took the honours in week one with their 1-0 win at Northampton, and they can follow up by seeing off Forest Green.

Darrell Clarke has shaken things up at the Bescot and may have pulled off one of the basement’s signings of the summer by recruiting one-time Newcastle schemer Danny Guthrie, who’s still only 32.

Guthrie ran the show at Northampton and will hope to be equally effective against Rovers, whose 1-0 win at home to Oldham was overshadowed by a serious leg injury to Wales winger George Williams.

Recommendation
Walsall
1pt 6-4 bet365, Betfred

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