Expert EFL Predictions and football betting tips from Dan Childs

Free football tips, best bets, predictions and expert accumulator advice for the weekend's EFL matches.

When to bet

Kick-offs 3pm

Best bets

Port Vale
3pts 6-5 Hills

Huddersfield draw no bet
3pts 4-5Hills

Rochdale
2pts 19-20 general

Stevenage
2pts 13-10Hills

Grimsby v Port Vale

Port Vale's late-season surge has come just too late to push them into the League Two playoff places but they appear determined to keep their standards high and can register a ninth victory in ten games when facing relegated Grimsby at Blundell Park.

It can be hard for players to motivate themselves when neither threatened by relegation or within touching distance of promotion but Vale have been relentless.

The Potteries outfit were worthy 2-1 winners at home to Bradford last Saturday – lifting themselves into the top half for the first time since December – and will be determined to stay there as manager Darrell Clarke lays the foundations for a serious promotion push in 2021-22.

While Vale supporters have lots to look forward to, Grimsby fans are in despair after watching their team slip into the National League just five years after they were last promoted in 2015-16.

Paul Hurst's appointment in late December was a step forward and eventually contributed to improved results but there was too much damage to repair and the club's fate was sealed with a 3-2 loss at Exeter on Tuesday.

Injuries have piled up in recent weeks with veteran striker James Hanson among the players absent at Exeter and Hurst must make at least one enforced change for the weekend because key midfielder Jay Matete is suspended.

Hurst will be looking for a few positives before planning a route back to the EFL but the main focus will be on next season and his demoralised team may struggle to add another point.

Huddersfield v Coventry

Huddersfield have been making heavy weather of sealing Championship survival but they can get over the line under their own steam by defeating Coventry at the John Smith's Stadium.

The Terriers have an eight-point buffer to third-bottom Rotherham, who have three games remaining and are therefore highly unlikely to finish in the drop zone, but Carlos Corberan will not want to leave anything to chance.

Two more points are required to make sure of staying up and Huddersfield have a great chance of taking three against the Sky Blues, whose safety was confirmed last weekend.

Results elsewhere came to the rescue of Coventry, who looked tired and toothless in their 1-0 loss at home to Preston. But manager Mark Robins has done an excellent job within the constraints of the second-lowest budget in the division.

Planning for next season has already started but this season's main target has been accomplished and a few of the players may be looking forward to the summer holidays.

Rochdale v Doncaster

Rochdale's League One survival hopes sustained a massive blow when they conceded a 96th-minute equaliser in Tuesday's 3-3 draw at Wimbledon but they are not quite down and out and can return to winning ways against Doncaster at Spotland.

Other results will need to come to the aid of Dale, who are four points adrift of safety with two to play but their survival scrap will go down to the wire if they can achieve a better weekend result than Wigan, who face a tough away game at leaders Hull.

A five-match unbeaten run has at least kept Rochdale in with a chance and they look solid favourites to see off Doncaster, who have taken only six points from their last 13 games.

Stevenage v Crawley

Stevenage and Crawley do battle at the Lamex Stadium knowing their League Two futures are secure, but the Hertfordshire side have been the more convincing of the pair in recent weeks and look value to win their last home game of the campaign.

Boro were impressive 1-0 winners at title-chasing Cambridge last Saturday and should be too strong for Crawley, who have triumphed just twice in their last 11 games.

Accumulator

Charlton 21-20, Crewe 7-5, Bolton 23-20, Bradford 4-5

£1 acca returns £19.04 with Hills

Click here to add Dan Childs's acca to your William Hill betslip

First scorer

Joe Pigott Wimbledon v Portsmouth
at 5-1 BoyleSports

Joe Pigott is attracting attention from higher division clubs after scoring 19 goals in 43 league games for relegation-threatened Wimbledon and could strike the first blow against playoff-chasing Portsmouth.

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