Expert EFL predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs

Betfred are offering £50 in free bets when you bet £10 on Dan Childs's weekend EFL tips.

Click here to claim that offer with Betfred or read on for Dan Childs's EFL predictions.

When to bet

Kick-offs from 12.30pm

Best bets

Lincoln
Kick-off time 12.30pm
3pts 4-5 Coral, Hills

Wigan
Kick-off time 3pm
2pts 3-4 Coral, Hills

Salford draw no bet
Kick-off time 3pm
3pts 4-5 Hills

Chesterfield
Kick-off time 3pm
1pt 11-8 Betfair, Hills, Paddy Power

Recommended

4/5

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

£50 in Free Bets when you bet £10

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

• Huge variety of markets and promotions with the Betfred app

CLAIM OFFER

Tap for more details. 18+ T&Cs apply

• Join with promo code 'SUMMER50'
• Rewards scheme for existing customers

New customers only. Register with SUMMER50. Deposit £10+ and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.

You can bet on the EFL and get £50 in free bets with Betfred

Dan Childs's EFL predictions

Lincoln vs Reading

All Reading fans want for Christmas is a positive change of ownership at the club that they love, but there is no end in sight to the Royals' off-field problems and the on-field situation could get worse when they face Lincoln at Sincil Bank.

Reading are sixth in League One which is a remarkable achievement for a club who brought in just one fresh face - Wolves loanee Chem Campbell- in the summer.

Ruben Selles did a superb job in the Royals' dugout but his 17-month spell in Berkshire came to an end this month when he accepted an offer from Championship strugglers Hull.

An in-house replacement was soon announced with Noel Hunt signing a two-and-a-half year contract as Reading's first team manager, but the new man got off to a mixed start with a 1-1 draw at highflying Wycombe before last Saturday's 3-0 defeat at home to Blackpool.

Hunt's team were outclassed last weekend and their chances of coping with Lincoln are hit by the absence of midfielder Ben Elliott and defender Amadou Mbengue, who started but failed to finished against the Seasiders.

Lincoln are probably meeting Reading at a good time and they will be feeling happier with themselves after last Saturday's 2-2 draw at Huddersfield, which was their best performance and result for several weeks.

The ninth-placed Imps are three points below Reading but they have brighter prospects for 2025 and can secure an important victory.

Wigan vs Shrewsbury

The League One season is approaching the halfway mark but there is plenty of time to climb the table and one of the clubs to watch could be 16th-placed Wigan, who are in action this week at home to basement boys Shrewsbury.

Shaun Maloney's side are four points outside the drop zone and eight adrift of the playoffs but they will be looking up after last Saturday's superb 2-0 triumph at home to Bolton, which was their most complete performance of the season.

The Latics were worthy winners against the promotion-chasing Trotters and have a great chance to kick on at the expense of Shrewsbury, who have continued to struggle under recently-appointed manager Gareth Ainsworth.

There are few more positive football people than Ainsworth, who did an outstanding job over a ten year spell in charge of Wycombe.

But after starting his Shrews stint with a stunning 3-2 triumph at home to Birmingham, Ainsworth has seen his team revert to their early-season struggles.

Three successive losses have left his side ten points adrift of safety and another setback looks likely against Wigan, who are worth a wager at a shade of odds-on.

Accrington vs Salford

Salford have climbed into League Two's top half after taking 14 points from their last eight games and their push for promotion can continue with a victory over struggling Accrington at the Wham Stadium.

The Ammies were 3-0 winners at home to Notts County last weekend and their rising confidence spells danger for Stanley, who appear set for a relegation scrap.

Accrington delivered a strong first half performance in Monday's 1-1 draw at Fleetwood but they are winless in five and their struggles look set to continue.

Chesterfield vs AFC Wimbledon

Chesterfield have noticed a step up in grade since romping to last season's National League title but they are in the League Two playoff spots and can post a third successive league win by getting the better of fourth-placed AFC Wimbledon at SMH Group Stadium.

Paul Cook's side seem to be getting to grips with the level and were comfortable 2-0 winners away to improving Carlisle last weekend.

The Spireites have kept back-to-back league clean sheets for the first time this season and their improved defending could hold the key against the Wombles, who are missing suspended striker Omar Bugiel.

Accumulator

Blackpool 23-20, Wigan 3-4, Chesterfield 11-8, MK Dons 3-4
£1 acca returns £15.67 with Hills

First goalscorer

Jonson Clarke-Harris Mansfield v Rotherham
at 6-1 general

The in-form Rotherham centre-forward has scored three times in his last two games and could open the scoring against Mansfield.

Recommended

4/5

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

£50 in Free Bets when you bet £10

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

• Huge variety of markets and promotions with the Betfred app

CLAIM OFFER

Tap for more details. 18+ T&Cs apply

• Join with promo code 'SUMMER50'
• Rewards scheme for existing customers

New customers only. Register with SUMMER50. Deposit £10+ and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.

You can bet on the EFL and get £50 in free bets with Betfred

Click for free bets and betting offers from the Racing Post

Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.