EFL Predictions: betting preview and free football tips

Best bets and predictions for the weekend's EFL matches.

Best bets

Bournemouth
1pt 23-20 Hills

Sheffield Wednesday
2pts 3-4 Betfred

Bradford
2pts 4-5 general

Rochdale
2pts Evs Hills

Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth

Nottingham Forest’s pre-season preparations have been impacted by Covid-19 and their lack of match sharpness told in their Championship opener at Coventry.

The Tricky Trees led the Sky Blues 1-0 on 80 minutes but finished the contest leggy, conceding two late goals and seeing all their early hard work undone.

Forest have had challenges to overcome - they had two friendlies called off and players were unable to train - so a low-key start to proceedings should have been expected.

Even so, Chris Hughton’s side managed only two shots on target, which doesn’t bode well given they netted the joint-second fewest goals in the Championship last season with just 37.

And things looks even tougher against a refreshed Bournemouth side who have had eight days to prepare for this encounter.

A much-changed Forest were in EFL Cup action against Bradford on Wednesday, while the Cherries received a bye and were able to focus solely on this fixture.

Scott Parker’s men played out a 2-2 draw with West Brom on the opening day of the season and a reproduction of that performance should be enough to land the spoils at the City Ground.

Sheffield Wednesday v Doncaster

Hillsborough should be buzzing for the visit of South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster and that can help Sheffield Wednesday notch their first victory of the League One season.

The Owls made a solid start to life in the third tier with Saturday's goalless draw at Charlton, who were unable to force a save from Bailey Peacock-Farrell, and this should represent a more winnable opportunity.

Donny went down 2-1 at home to AFC Wimbledon last weekend, with Charlie Seaman’s goal coming from their only shot on target, and they don’t boast anywhere near the squad depth of their competitors.

This is a fixture that will also be taken seriously by Owls boss Darren Moore, who spent two years with Rovers before leaving for Hillsborough, and the quality he possesses in the likes of Barry Bannan, Callum Paterson and Lewis Wing should ensure he comes out on top.

Rochdale v Scunthorpe

Rochdale and Scunthorpe both suffered defeats in the opening game of their League Two season, but Iron boss Neil Cox should be far more concerned than Robbie Stockdale.

The Iron finished 22nd last season following a ten-game winless sequence and they look much less prepared for this campaign after being forced to slash their budgets.

The likes of Jacob Bedeau, Alex Gilliead, Abo Eisa, Jem Karacan, Harrison McGahey, Jordan Clarke and Kevin van Veen have all left Glanford Park, which could leave them in grave relegation danger.

Scunthorpe had just 37 per cent possession in a 3-1 home defeat to Swindon last weekend - they opened the scoring with a penalty - whereas Rochdale played well in a 3-2 reverse at Harrogate.

Dale fired home 61 goals in 46 League One games last season and should be too lively for a Scunthorpe side that have failed to score in six of their last seven competitive fixtures.

Bradford v Oldham

Valley Parade could be a big influence in Bradford’s promotion bid this season and with over 15,000 Bantams expected to witness Derek Adams’s first competitive home match in charge, Oldham may be in for a difficult afternoon.

Bradford are embarking on their third season in League Two, but there is optimism in the air after Adams’s appointment and an influx of new arrivals.

The West Yorkshire hosts picked up a respectable point in a goalless draw at Exeter last weekend and they should find things far easier against Oldham, who looked toothless in a 1-0 defeat at home to Newport.

Keith Curle’s men failed to register a shot on target and are adjusting to life without last season’s 17-goal striker Conor McAleny after he the switch to Salford.

Accumulator

Fulham 10-11, Sheffield Wed 7-10, Bradford 5-6, Rochdale Evs

10-1 Hills

First goalscorer

Cole Stockton (Morecambe) 11-2

The Morecambe man has hit the ground running, bagging a brace in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Ipswich before notching the equaliser in Tuesday’s EFL Cup win over Championship Blackburn. He should be confident of silencing Shrewsbury.

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