Expert EFL predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs

When to bet

Kick-offs from 12.30pm

Best bets

Notts County
Kick-off time 12.30pm
2pts 11-10 Coral, Hills

Swindon draw no bet
Kick-off time 3pm
1pt 11-10 BoyleSports

Dan Childs's EFL predictions

Grimsby vs Notts County

Many teams have struggled for consistency in the League Two promotion race, but sixth-placed Notts County are on the charge thanks to four wins in five games and look a solid bet to defeat Grimsby at Blundell Park.

Walsall have opened a ten-point lead in the fourth tier but it is really tight in the rest of the top half with eight points covering the next 11 teams.

Anyone putting a decent run together can make rapid progress and County start the weekend knowing that a victory could lift them as high as second place.

Stuart Maynard's team are the division's joint-second highest scorers with 38 goals and that should come as no surprise given the quality of their attacking players.

Forwards Alassana Jatta and David McGoldrick have amassed league tallies of 12 and ten goals and they can usually rely on excellent service from classy midfielder Dan Crowley, who has popped up with six assists and four goals.

County's firepower was the key factor when they triumphed 5-3 at Cheltenham on their last road trip and it could overwhelm Grimsby, who approach the game after back-to-back losses.

Grimsby have progressed since since last season's relegation battle but they are going through a sticky patch and may continue their pointless start to 2025.

Swindon vs Crewe

There could be a surprise at the County Ground where lowly Swindon look overpriced to defeat second-placed Crewe.

Swindon are a team transformed under veteran manager Ian Holloway and are searching for their fourth successive home league victory.

They were 3-2 winners at home to in-form Colchester on New Year's Day and can see off the Railwaymen, who have won only one of their last seven away fixtures.

First goalscorer

Rob Apter Blackpool v Cambridge
at 9-1 BoyleSports, Coral, Ladbrokes

There is more to come from Blackpool's exciting 21-year-old winger who looks overpriced to break the deadlock against Cambridge.

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