Dan Childs: Saturday EFL match previews and best bets

Barnsley v Fulham

Fulham were widely criticised for their transfer dealings last summer but they have made better decisions over the last few months and can start the Sky Bet Championship campaign with a victory over newly-promoted Barnsley at Oakwell.

The Londoners shed some players after their relegation but they demonstrated ongoing ambition by persuading star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to sign a new five-year contract.

Mitrovic scoring 11 goals in 37 appearances last season and should be even more effective in the second tier.

The Serbian is the focal point and there will be quality either side of him thanks to the loan signings of Anthony Knockaert from Brighton and Ivan Cavaleiro from Wolves.

All three are proven in the Championship and should do plenty of damage.

They are likely to be too much for Barnsley, who have lost key elements of the side that finished second in Sky Bet League One last season.

The Tykes had the third tier's best defensive record, conceding just 39 goals, but they look far more vulnerable following the departures of goalkeeper Adam Davies to Stoke and centre-backs Ethan Pinnock and Liam Lindsay, who have joined Brentford and Stoke respectively.

There are goals in the side with Cauley Woodrow and exciting new addition Mallik Wilks set to feature but their new-look defence including summer signings Aapo Halme, Mads Anderson and Toby Sibbick could be ruthlessly exposed.

Recommendation
Fulham
3pts 6-5 bet365, Betfred, Betway

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Blackburn v Charlton

Blackburn did a great job of consolidating in the Championship last season and they can hand out a harsh lesson for new boys Charlton by brushing them aside at Ewood Park.

There is a sizeable gap between the third and second tiers but Rovers recruited well last summer and had a strong season, finishing 15th.

The Lancastrians are determined to make further progress in 2019-20 and have made some astute signings, adding the substantial experience of midfielder Bradley Johnson and winger Stewart Downing and the goal threat of Sam Gallagher.

Reaching the playoffs is not out of the question for Tony Mowbray's side, who have the ability to cause problems for any side in the division.

At anywhere near their best they will pose a tough test for Charlton, who are operating within the same budget as last season despite playing at a higher level.

The Londoners' biggest plus of the summer was retaining manager Lee Bowyer but they have done nowhere near enough in terms of player recruitment.

Lyle Taylor is their goal threat and he needs to have another prolific season if the Addicks are to have a decent chance of surviving.

Centre-back Patrick Bauer, attacker Joe Aribo and holding midfielder Krystian Bielik, who was on loan from Arsenal, have departed, leaving Charlton in severe danger of an immediate return to League One.

Recommendation
Blackburn
3pts 5-6 bet365, Betfred

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Doncaster v Gillingham

Steve Evans has breezed into Gillingham, adding several new faces, and can start in a positive manner by collecting one point or three at Doncaster.

There was a need for a shake-up at Gillingham, who have spent the last few seasons scrapping for third-tier survival.

Evans never shirks a challenge and has been a busy man recruiting fresh talent in every area of the pitch.

Tom Eaves, Gillingham's top scorer last season with 21 goals, has left to join Hull but Evan's new-look squad has plenty of strength-in-depth and will be less reliant on key individuals.

They look capable of finishing mid-table and might have a better season than Donny, who have gone through a tough pre-season.

Darren Moore has replaced Grant McCann in the Doncaster hotseat but may find it tough to deliver another top-six finish.

Influential players Tommy Rowe and Niall Mason have joined Bristol City and Peterborough and star loan signings Herbie Kane and Mallik Wilks have also left Donny weaker than they were three months ago.

Portsmouth's signing of top goalscorer John Marquis just makes matters worse for Donny.

Recommendation
Gillingham or draw double chance
3pts 19-20 bet365

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Bradford v Cambridge United

Bradford are not planning on hanging around in Sky Bet League Two for long and they can make the best possible start by defeating Cambridge at Valley Parade.

Gary Bowyer has stayed on in the Bantams hotseat and made some excellent summer signings.

Exciting winger Zeli Ismail, recruited from Walsall, will add some stardust but the main contributions could come from veteran strikers Clayton Donaldson and James Vaughan, who arrive from Bolton and Wigan, and retained forward Eoin Doyle.

They have all done the business at a higher grade and could make a big impact against Cambridge, who finished fourth-bottom last season, only six points clear of the drop zone.

Recommendation
Bradford
3pts 10-11 bet365

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Forest Green v Oldham

Forest Green suffered League Two playoff heartache last season, losing out to Tranmere in the semi-finals, but they can dispel any notion of a hangover by defeating Oldham in Gloucestershire.

It has been a largely positive summer for Rovers, who have added exciting attackers Aaron Collins and Matty Stevens.

They look set for a better campaign than Oldham, whose new manager Laurent Banide has taken a massive gamble by moving on several key elements last season's squad.

Recommendation
Forest Green
3pts 11-10 BoyleSports, Coral, Ladbrokes

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport