Dan Childs: Free football tips & predictions for Saturday's EFL matches

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

When to bet

Kick-offs from 3pm Saturday

Best bets

Rotherham
4pts 19-20 Betfred, Hills

Cardiff
2pts 21-20Betfair, Power

Ipswich
3pts 29-20 Betfair

Stevenage
3pts 13-10Betfred

Swindon draw no bet
3pts 6-5 general

Cheltenham v Rotherham

Rotherham and Cheltenham were two divisions apart last season and there could be a class gap in this weekend's League One clash at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium, where the Millers look solid favourites.

Few teams fit the description of yo-yo club better than Rotherham, who have experienced three relegations and two promotions in the last five seasons.

Their obvious aim this term is to bounce back up to the Championship and they are going well with 17 points from ten games.

Paul Warne's side are unbeaten in four and should fancy their chances of a maximum return against promoted Cheltenham, who are feeling the strain after making a bright start to the season.

Cheltenham's promotion was based on a strong back three featuring Ben Tozer, Charlie Raglan and Will Boyle.

However, Tozer has left for ambitious National League outfit Wrexham, and Boyle and Raglan are struggling with injuries.

An understrength Cheltenham were ruthlessly exposed in a 5-0 loss at Sunderland on Tuesday and they may suffer against Rotherham, who should pick up a sixth league win of the campaign.

Cardiff v Reading

Cardiff manager Mick McCarthy is under pressure after four successive Championship defeats but he can get the critics off his back by steering his side to victory over Reading in the Welsh capital.

Bluebirds' fans are losing patience with McCarthy, who has presided over heavy losses away to Blackburn and at home to West Brom in the last two games.

However, Cardiff's players will be eager to make amends and their sheer physical presence – which includes powerful centre-backs Aden Flint and Sean Morrison and centre-forward Kieffer Moore – could be enough to unsettle the injury-hit Royals.

Reading started the last two matches without a recognised central defender, although there was some good news during Tuesday's 1-0 loss at Derby when veteran Scott Dann came off the bench to make his Royals debut.

Dann could be pushing for a start but Reading's rearguard will be nowhere near full-strength and could be exposed by a no-nonsense Cardiff side hungry for a change of fortune.

Accrington v Ipswich

Ipswich are starting to look the part after a shaky start to the League One season and can build on Tuesday's 6-0 success at home to Doncaster by defeating Accrington at the Wham Stadium.

Tractor Boys manager Paul Cook brought in 19 new signings this summer and it was understandable that it took a while for his team to settle.

However, Ipswich have taken seven points from the last three games and should be too strong for Stanley, who are on the slide after three losses in their last four.

Stevenage v Hartlepool

League Two strugglers Stevenage have had a tough early-season fixture list – including three matches against top-four teams – but they look a decent bet to see off tentative travellers Hartlepool at Broadhall Way.

Alex Revell's side carved out the better chances in a 0-0 draw at third-placed Harrogate last Saturday and may be too strong for Pools, who have taken one point from four road trips.

Bristol Rovers v Swindon

Ben Garner has made a bright start in the Swindon dugout and can lead his talented, youthful side to a satisfying League Two victory over Bristol Rovers, where he had a disappointing 11-month spell between December 2019 and November 2020.

Ninth-placed Swindon have been playing some attractive, effective football and look excellent value to defeat struggling Rovers, who lost 3-1 to Leyton Orient in their last home game.

Accumulator

MK Dons 17-20, Wigan 17-20, Wycombe 4-6, Exeter 5-6
1pt acca returns £10.46 with Betfred

First scorer

Sam Nombe Exeter v Walsall
11-2 Betfred & Power

Exeter striker Sam Nombe has the ability to play higher than League Two and can score for a third successive game in the Grecians' home encounter with Walsall.

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