Expert EFL predictions and football betting tips from Joe Casey

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

Where to watch

Birmingham v Fulham Sky Sports red button, 7.45pm
Bristol City v Luton Sky Sports red button, 7.45pm
Coventry v Cardiff Sky Sports red button, 7.45pm
Nottingham Forest v Middlesbrough Sky Sports red button, 7.45pm
Swansea v Milwall Sky Sports red button, 7.45pm

Best bets

Fulham
1pt 23-20 general

Over 2.5 goals in Coventry v Cardiff
1pt 6-5 bet365 & Hills

Verdict

Formerly a graveyard of former Premier League teams hopes and dreams, the Championship has become more forgiving than ever for teams looking to bounce back at the first time of asking.

In pursuit of that immediate return, Fulham hit their first bump in the road on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat at Blackpool in which they conceded from the Seasiders’ only shot on target.

They should be able to make amends for that loss against Birmingham.

Blues have started well, taking 11 points from their first six games with Manchester United’s on-loan Tahith Chong particularly impressive for Lee Bowyer’s side.

However, aside from their blip against Blackpool, Fulham have barely put a foot wrong, and recorded a bloodless 2-0 win over Birmingham in the EFL Cup, when both teams rotated their line-ups.

Marco Silva’s side also look likely to have £15 million pound man Harry Wilson back from injury sustained on international duty and may be too strong for the Blues.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Cardiff travel to take on Coventry in what will be an interesting stylistic match-up.

Mick McCarthy’s Cardiff are a physical side who look to exploit set pieces, and their tally of 37 shots from set plays is the highest in the division. On the other hand, Coventry’s attacking success is built on the pace and trickery of Callum O’Hare and Viktor Gyokeres.

Only West Brom and Fulham have created more expected goals from open play than the Sky Blues’ total of 8.1 but their finishing has been an issue.

Given the contrast in the way the teams like to play, the prices about over 2.5 goals look big.

Coventry will be aiming to stretch the defensive pairing of Aden Flint and Sean Morrison, whereas Cardiff will strive to impose themselves on a Sky Blues side who lack a bit of physicality. Both sides could exploit the other's weaknesses in a high-scoring affair.

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