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 3pm Saturday

Best bets

Swindon
2pts 6-5 Hills

Northampton
2pts 13-10 Betfair, Betfred, BoyleSports

Ipswich
2pts 23-20 Betfred

Tranmere draw no bet
2pts EvsBetfred, BoyleSports

Swindon v Rochdale

League Two promotion-chasers Swindon climbed into the top three for the first time this season after last Saturday's superb 2-0 success at leaders Forest Green and they look a solid bet to cement the position by beating Rochdale at the County Ground.

The good times seem to be returning for Swindon fans, who have been right behind new owner Clem Morfini in his efforts to get the club back on track.

Swindon were relegated last season and were in turmoil in the early part of the summer with player wages not being fully paid and a pre-season friendly against Swansea called off at short notice.

However, Morfini quickly appointed Ben Garner as manager and sanctioned an influx of players in an attempt to ensure Swindon would be competitive.

After a few early-season inconsistencies Swindon have flourished and they look strong contenders for automatic promotion.

Last weekend's well-deserved success at Forest Green was achieved despite the absence of five players on international duty.

Garner has a stronger squad this weekend and his team should get the better of 18th-placed Dale.

Both teams were relegated last season but Dale have struggled to turn their fortunes around and are set to suffer a fourth successive league defeat.

Northampton v Mansfield

Back-to-back defeats have undermined Northampton's push for an immediate return to League One but the Cobblers can respond with a home win over injury-hit Mansfield.

Northampton's recent losses at home to Sutton and at Hartlepool were disappointing but they were also difficult assignments.

Sutton's success was part of a four-game winning streak and Hartlepool hold the best home record in the division, but Northampton manager Jon Brady expects his team to do better and will be looking for three points against the Stags, who are on an 11-game winless sequence.

Mansfield were among the big spenders this summer but they have got used to dealing with a long list of absentees and their problems persist with Stephen Quinn and Tyrese Sinclair suspended and George Maris and Oli Hawkins picking up injuries in last Saturday's 0-0 draw at home to Oldham.

Kellan Gordon, James Perch, George Cooper, Richard Nartey and Ryan Stirk are also expected to be missing for the Stags, who are likely to suffer their sixth league defeat of the season.

Cambridge v Ipswich

League One heavyweights Ipswich are starting to get their act together and can register a third successive victory by seeing off Cambridge.

Town have brought in 20 new players since the end of last season and there was a difficult bedding-in process as they collected just three points from their opening six games.

However, they have taken ten points from the last five fixtures and will be backed by 2,500 away supporters this weekend as they attempt to register a fourth league win of the campaign.

Mid-table Cambridge have adjusted well since winning promotion and veteran creative midfielder Wes Hoolahan, a former Norwich legend, will be keen to impress against the Tractor Boys.

However, Mark Bonner's side have gone three games without a win and they may be taking on Ipswich at the wrong time.

Carlisle v Tranmere

Carlisle caretaker-manager Gavin Skelton has promised "a few tweaks" when selecting his first team since the sacking of Chris Beech but his efforts are unlikely to trouble fast-improving Tranmere, who will be targeting three points at Brunton Park.

Tranmere are up to fifth after taking ten points form their last four games and have a great chance to chalk up another win against the ailing Cumbrians, who have lost their last three league games without scoring.

Accumulator

Sunderland 4-5, MK Dons 21-20, Salford Evs, Forest Green 4-7
£1 acca pays £11.59 with BoyleSports

First scorer

Sammie Szmodics
Middlesbrough v Peterborough
at 10-1 BoyleSports, Power

Peterborough attacking midfielder Sammie Szmodics took a bit of time to adjust to the Championship but he netted twice in the 3-2 loss at home to Bristol City and could strike the first blow against Middlesbrough.

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