Thursday's EFL predictions and football betting tips from Dan Childs

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

When to bet

Kick-offs from 7.45pm Thursday

Best bets

Sunderland draw no bet v Wigan 7.45pm
3pts 10-11 BoyleSports

Bristol Rovers to beat Exeter 7.45pm
2pts 7-5general

Morecambe draw no bet v Accrington 7.45pm
2pts 11-10 general

Tranmere or draw double chance v Barrow 7.45pm
2pts 8-13bet365, Hills

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Thursday's EFL preview

Sunderland have their eyes fixed on the Championship playoff places after taking ten points from their last five games and they can keep up their promotion push with a victory at second-bottom Wigan.

The second tier is incredibly congested with three points covering the teams between fifth and 16th, and ninth-placed Sunderland have as good a chance as anyone of emerging from the pack and nailing a playoff place.

Tony Mowbray's side remained competitive in the autumn, when centre-forwards Ellis Simms and Ross Stewart were absent through injury.

However, the return of both has been a massive boost and their goalscoring instincts were key to the 2-1 Boxing Day success at home to Blackburn. Stewart's 22nd-minute penalty levelled the match and Simms' poked home the winner in injury time.

A shade under 44,000 fans witnessed the win against Rovers and there will be plenty of travelling support at Wigan as Mowbray's men go in search of back-to-back wins for only the second time this season.

Wigan have taken just one point from three games under Kolo Toure and they may suffer their second loss of the campaign to Sunderland, who beat them 2-1 in a mid-October Wearside encounter.

Joey Barton was in typically defiant mood after Bristol Rovers were edged 2-1 at League One playoff rivals Wycombe on Boxing Day and his team can respond with a home win over Exeter.

Rovers are the fifth-highest scorers in the division and possess a potent attack. Striker Aaron Collins sits joint-second in the scoring charts with 11 goals while Middlesbrough loanee Josh Coburn has six goals from 12 league appearances.

Exeter could be in for a tough evening and their confidence may be lacking after six games without a victory.

Grecians goalkeeper Jamal Blackman was their saviour in a 0-0 draw at home to Portsmouth on Monday but he may struggle to deny Rovers, who look set for a ninth league win of the campaign.

Morecambe have fallen four points adrift at the League One basement but they can give themselves a lifeline by defeating relegation rivals Accrington.

The Shrimps have looked more of a threat in recent weeks thanks to an upturn in performance from star striker Cole Stockton, who has scored two goals in his last four appearances.

Stockton is playing with a touch more confidence and his class could make the difference against Stanley, who have won just one of their last ten league fixtures.

League Two playoff hopefuls Tranmere ended a ten-game winless sequence with a convincing 3-0 victory at home to Doncaster on Boxing Day and can follow up by taking at least a point from seventh-placed Barrow at Holker Street.

The Super White Army are boosted by the return from suspension of on-loan Southampton defender Dynel Simeu and can at least match the Bluebirds, who have taken one point from their last three matches.

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