Betting previews & free football tips for Saturday's EFL games

Free football tips for Saturday's EFL games including Preston v Blackburn Rovers, Peterborough United v Coventry City, Walsall v Mansfield Town and Accrington Stanley v Gillingham.

When to bet

By 3pm Saturday

Best bets

Preston
3pts 19-20 Betfred, RedZone, Sky Bet
Back this tip with William Hill

Peterborough
2pts 19-20general
Back this tip with bet365

Mansfield Town
2pts 31-20 Coral
Back this tip with Coral

Both teams to score in Accrington Stanley v Gillingham
1pt 4-6bet365
Back this tip with bet365

Verdicts

Preston North End v Blackburn Rovers

The fact that Preston supporters were largely disappointed with their 1-1 draw with Leeds in midweek tells you all you need to know about the club's ambitions this season.

Alex Neil's side put in a superb defensive performance to keep arguably the Sky Bet Championship's strongest side at bay for 87 minutes before Eddie Nketiah cancelled out Tom Barkhuizen's opener.

The performance made amends for the 1-0 defeat at Reading the weekend before and it is clear North End are a different beast at Deepdale.

Preston top the league's home table with five wins and two draws from their seven games, having also scored the most home goals (19) of any second-tier side.

The significance of a Lancashire derby is not lost on Neil. He said: "People might say it’s just three points, which it is, but it’s not just three points to the fans – I am well aware of that."

Tony Mowbray's side are typically tough to break down but they have lost four of their last five assignments on the road.

They will be without enterprising playmaker Lewis Holtby but Preston could welcome back Billy Bodin, while Paul Gallagher and Sean Maguire could freshen up the starting 11, having both been on the bench on Tuesday.

Peterborough United v Coventry City

Ipswich Town's downturn in form means Peterborough - albeit having played one game more - are top of Sky Bet League One going into this weekend's clash with Coventry.

The Posh have won their last three matches against Lincoln, Gillingham and Accrington and are top scorers in the division with an eye-watering 34 goals in 14 matches.

Ivan Toney and Mo Eisa - the two top scorers in the league with 11 and ten goals respectively - comprise a deadly attacking duo in front of creative spark Marcus Maddison.

They are particularly strong at London Road, where they have lost just once this term, and can rip through the Sky Blues who are struggling with injuries.

Key front man Matty Godden could face surgery on his groin, while Jordy Hiwula is a doubt after going off against Fleetwood Town.

Walsall v Mansfield Town

Mansfield were among the ante-post favourites for Sky Bet League Two title but it is only recently that they have shown flashes of a side vying for promotion.

The Stags followed a 6-1 hammering of Oldham with a respectable 2-2 draw at Forest Green before an undeserved defeat away to Salford City in which they had 70 per cent possession and won the shot count 24-4.

Andy Cook is fully fit at last and looks in good nick after notching a brace against Forest Green.

The former Saddlers marksman and in-form duo Danny Rose and Nicky Maynard can wreak havoc against Walsall, who have lost their last four league games.

Accrington Stanley v Gillingham

Accrington fans fearing relegation from Sky Bet League One can draw hope from their recent home performances and the meeting with Gillingham could be a game to savour.

Stanley scored two of the nine league goals Ipswich have conceded this season in their last game at the Wham Stadium with goalscorer Colby Bishop proving to be a handful for the Tractor Boys.

Vulnerability at the back persists, as outlined by the 4-0 thumping at Peterborough last time out, and that points to goals when they host Steve Evans's side.

Both teams have scored four of Gillingham's seven away league matches and that could be the best punting strategy this time.

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