Expert EFL predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs

Free football tips, best bets and predictions for Saturday's EFL matches

When to bet

Kick-offs from 1pm

Best bets

Salford
3pts 29-20 Betfair, Betfred, Hills
Bristol Rovers
3pts 23-20 Betway
Northampton
3pts 11-8Betfred, Betway, Hills

Oldham v Salford

Salford are only just halfway through their second season in the EFL but they are determined to win promotion and can enhance their chances by winning at Oldham.

The EFL salary cap rules set to tighten at the end of the season so there is an added incentive for Salford to make the most of their financial muscle while they still can.

They have made some bold late moves in the transfer window, recruiting defender Tom James and midfielders Paul Coutts and Robbie Gotts on loans from Hibernian, Fleetwood and Leeds.

All three were involved in the 2-2 draw at home to Harrogate last Friday and their influence should assist a side who have been outside the top three since October.

Automatic promotion remains the ambition and Salford will be satisfied with nothing less than victory over the 15th-placed Latics, who have been held back by a miserable home record.

Oldham have lost nine of their 13 league games at Boundary Park and their much stronger away record was dented on Tuesday by a 2-0 loss at Cheltenham.

Harry Kewell's side have won one of their last six league games, leaving them seven points outside the top seven, and they are highly likely to be playing fourth-tier football next term.

Bristol Rovers v Rochdale

Rochdale's dismal defence is putting their League One status at risk and could be their undoing again as they visit fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers.

Dale head to the west country looking to end a run of seven matches without a victory in which they have conceded 21 goals.

They have been struggling without injured central defenders Eoghan O'Connell and Paul McShane, and could be punished by Rovers, who are showing positive signs under experienced manager Paul Tisdale.

Rovers defended well in a 0-0 draw at Peterborough on Tuesday and the recent return from injury of creative midfielder Erhun Oztumer and attacker Sam Nicholson should give them the cutting edge they require to post a fourth home league win of the campaign.

Northampton v Wigan

Third- tier strugglers Northampton are showing signs of progress and can ease a little further away from the drop zone by defeating second-bottom Wigan at Sixfields.

The Cobblers' only defeat in their last four league games was a narrow 2-1 loss at leaders Lincoln and their recent improvement looks bad news for Wigan, who lost 5-0 at home to Blackpool on Tuesday.

Accumulator

Blackburn (17-20), Oxford (19-20), Bradford (5-4), Carlisle (Evs)
£1 acca returns 16.23 with Betfred

First scorer

Bradley Dack Blackburn v Luton
15-2 Betway

Blackburn's classy attacking midfielder Bradley Dack has been working his way back to full fitness and looks one of the main dangers to Luton, who often struggle on their travels.

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