Saturday EFL predictions, free tips & football accumulators

Cambridge United v Oldham Athletic

Too average for too long, there are finally some glimmers of positivity around the Abbey Stadium where Cambridge can continue their fast start to the season by overcoming Oldham.

Cambridge were handed as tricky a set of fixtures as was imaginable to open up their Sky Bet League Two campaign, yet have successfully navigated their way through showdowns with Bradford and Newport, drawing both, and Colchester and Scunthorpe, both of whom were beaten.

Added to that was a shootout success against Sky Bet Championship side Brentford in the EFL Cup.

They don’t get carried away at the Abbey, where supporters have seen nothing more impressive than a ninth-place finish since regaining their league status in 2014. Last season they ended up 21st.

Colin Calderwood, a man who many forget enjoyed success as a manager when with Northampton and Nottingham Forest before drifting off into the coaching shadows, has certainly instilled a belief at the club.

He’s adaptable – preferring three at the back but not afraid of playing four – and isn’t scared of trusting youth. Loanee Jack Roles, who last month was coming off the bench for Tottenham against Bayern Munich in pre-season, is now starring in the number ten role behind another pair of talented youngsters, Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith.

It’s all positive and all in stark contrast to the outlook at Oldham, where there is little love for controversial owner Abdallah Lemsagam or his road map for the club.

Coach Laurent Banide, once of Monaco, is their fourth manager in a year and has overseen a wholesale change of playing staff. However, there’s precious little evidence of it coming together with one point – a fortunate 0-0 draw with Exeter – all they have to show for their efforts.

Recommendation
Cambridge
3pts 6-5 general

Wycombe v Southend

Gareth Ainsworth left Highbury on Tuesday night dismayed that his Wycombe side had only drawn 1-1 with Fleetwood, which illustrates both how well the Chairboys did and how high expectations are.

Only Bury and Bolton were shorter odds than Wycombe to be relegated at the start of the season and that, on the face of it, was understandable given how the Bucks boys struggled last season.

But boardroom changes over the summer, a little bit of cash to spend, some good signings and Ainsworth’s coaching acumen combined to lift spirits before a ball had been kicked and, five league and cup games in, all is well.

They can make it six unbeaten by seeing off an awful Southend team.

Wycombe began their campaign with a pair of clean sheets against Bolton and Bristol Rovers, then took Reading to penalties in the EFL Cup, and over the last week they have beaten MK Dons 3-2 and drawn at Fleetwood.

The captures of Fred Onyedinma and Paul Smyth from the Championship has pepped up a frontline where veteran Bayo Akinfenwa continues to haunt hesitant defences.

Southend’s rearguard is an utter shambles at the moment. They caved in at Lincoln last Saturday, thrashed 4-0, and Wycombe, like the Imps, are a side who like to go from back to front quickly and seek out their target man.

Southend haven’t won on the road since January and are in a right mess under Kevin Bond.

Recommendation
Wycombe
2pts 10-11 bet365

Rochdale v Blackpool

Rochdale lost 2-1 at home to Sunderland, a result that didn’t send shockwaves through the footballing world.

The Black Cats were short enough to win at Spotland and duly obliged.

However, Dale’s performance against Jack Ross’ big-hitters was exceptional and confirmation that they are making strides under Brian Barry-Murphy. And having had no luck against the Mackems it’s worth backing them to get a little bit more against League One pace-setters Blackpool.

Dale finished last term well under Barry-Murphy, losing just three of their last 11 to beat the drop, and they have continued in a similar vein.

They have recorded a 3-2 win at Tranmere, draws against Doncaster and Shrewsbury and that undeserved loss to Sunderland, who they pretty much matched in every department.

Barry-Murphy has bought gems in keeper Robert Sanchez and centre-back Eoghan O’Connell and isn’t afraid to give youth a chance. Imagine the thoughts going through 16-year-old Luke Matheson’s head as he was preparing to make his full debut against mighty Sunderland. And he didn’t look out of place at all.

Blackpool are buzzing under Simon Grayson but they should find this tough.

Blackpool’s 100 per cent record came to an end on Tuesday when they were held to a 2-2 draw at Gillingham. The Gills were unlucky, Oxford had been when losing 2-1 to the Seasiders three days earlier, with Grayson admitting Oxford had been much the better side.

On top of all that, star frontman Nathan Delfouneso tweaked his hamstring at the Priestfield.

Recommendation
Rochdale draw no bet
1pt Evs Betfred, BoyleSports

Plays of the day

Banker
Mansfield 4-5
It might not have clicked for the Stags yet but they have bagged two goals in each of their five outings. Stevenage have yet to score at all in the league.

Blowout
Wolves 17-20
It’s two draws out of two for Wolves, who welcome nuggety old Burnley just three days after a testing workout at Torino in the Europa League.

Accumulator
Leicester, Mansfield, Leipzig, Vitesse
A £1 fourfold returns £12.73 with Coral

Both teams to score
Norwich v Chelsea
Fulham v Nottingham Forest
Fleetwood v Accrington
A £1 treble returns £5.54 with Betfred

First goalscorer
Fred Onyedinma 13-2
The Londoner has enjoyed two previous fruitful loan spells at Wycombe and with two goals already this season he’s in good nick once again.

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