Saturday EFL football tips, previews and best bets

Notts County v Mansfield (1pm)

Notts County have been propping up Sky Bet League Two since the turn of the year but they have not played like relegation candidates in recent weeks and can snatch at least a point from local rivals Mansfield at Meadow Lane.

The league table points to a one-sided affair with second-placed Mansfield 22 arriving with 58 points in the bank, 33 more than their beleaguered hosts.

But County were busy in the January transfer window and the new players are making a difference.

In their last home game they drew 1-1 at home to leaders Lincoln and they followed up with a well-deserved 2-1 victory at promotion-chasing Forest Green last Saturday.

The supporters are getting on board – the last two home gates have been over 10,000 – and a lively atmosphere should help them in the derby.

Mansfield have lost just four league games this season but one of those was last weekend when they were defeated 1-0 at Newport.

Central defender Ryan Sweeney received his tenth booking of the campaign in that game – triggering a two-game ban and will be missed because new-signing Ben Turner is injured.

Stags manager David Flitcroft is contemplating a change of system from a back three to four but there may be a few teething problems and County look in the mood to capitalise.

Sky Bet League Two standings

Recommendation
Notts County or draw double chance
3pts 5-6 bet365

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Preston v Nottingham Forest (3pm)

Nottingham Forest have lost just four times on their Sky Bet Championship travels this season and look a solid bet to avoid defeat against Preston at Deepdale.

The markets are swinging behind Preston, who have climbed from the the foot of the table in early October to 13th – only eight points outside the playoffs.

It has been a remarkable turnaround from Alex Neil's side, who were 3-1 winners at home to Norwich on Wednesday.

But it was a hard-fought midweek success - Norwich won the shot count 23 to 11 -and the short turnaround may work against them.

Nottingham Forest have a bigger squad and have had an extra day to recover since drawing 2-2 at West Brom on Tuesday.

It took a controversial late penalty to deny Forest a victory over West Brom but Martin O'Neill's side can bounce back by taking a least a point this weekend.

Sky Bet Championship standings

Recommendation
Nottingham Forest or draw double chance
2pts 7-8 Betway

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Carlisle v MK Dons (3pm)

Sometimes is takes one game to turn a season around and that moment may have arrived for MK Dons on Tuesday when substitute Chuks Aneke netted an 88th-minute winner to seal a 1-0 victory at Newport.

The victory – the Dons' first in eight away games – moved them back into the playoffs places and gives them a big lift before this weekend's match at Carlisle.

There was nothing spectacular about MK Dons' performance in South Wales but they showed grit and application in difficult conditions and should be much better for the experience.

They may play with a little more polish in Cumbria and have the advantage of taking on a Carlisle side weakened by the absence of suspended attacker Jamie Devitt.

Carlisle lost Devitt – their top scorer - to a red card in the 18th minute of a 2-1 loss at Crewe on Tuesday and some of their players may be feeling tired legs after putting in such a big effort.

Sky Bet League Two standings

Recommendation
MK Dons draw no bet
3pts 5-6 BoyleSports

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Grimsby v Cheltenham (3pm)

Mid-table Grimsby are thinking about making a late push towards the playoffs and can extend their winning run to four by beating Cheltenham at Blundell Park.

Michael Jolley's side have won six of their last home fixtures and their rising confidence will be a concern for Cheltenham, who didn't register a single shot in last Saturday's 3-0 loss at Colchester.

Cheltenham's performance in Essex was labelled "the worst since I've been here" by manager Michael Duff, who has been at the Robins' helm since September.

Duff's side have lost their last three away games without scoring and another defeat looks likely.

Sky Bet League Two standings

Recommendation
Grimsby
2pts 13-10 Betfred

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Lincoln v Stevenage (3pm)

Lincoln's progress at the top of League Two has stalled with three successive draws but the Imps look solid odds-on favourites to overcome playoff-chasing Stevenage at Sincil Bank.

Danny Cowley's men failed to justify odds-on favouritism in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Northampton but had to play over half of the match with ten men due to Harry Anderson's 42nd-minute red card.

Anderson misses out through suspension but Lincoln have a strong enough squad to cope.

Stevenage have far fewer options and are severely weakened by the absences of defender Ben Nugent and forward Elijah Adebayo, who were both sent off in last Saturday's 2-0 loss at Tranmere.

It was the Hertfordshire side's third defeat in their last four away games.

Sky Bet League Two standings

Recommendation
Lincoln
3pts 8-13 bet365, BoyleSports, Coral

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

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