Expert EFL predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs

When to bet

Kick-offs 3pm unless stated

Best bets

Accrington draw no bet 12.30pm
3pts 23-20 Coral, Ladbrokes

Reading 12.30pm
3pts 8-11 Hills

Colchester
3pts 10-11 Coral, Ladbrokes

Doncaster
3pts 13-10 general

Dan Childs's EFL predictions

Accrington vs Barrow

Accrington were among the EFL coupon-busters last Saturday as they won 2-1 away to promotion-chasing Gillingham and the lowly League Two side can spring another surprise by defeating highflying Barrow at the Wham Stadium.

There were plenty of surprise results last weekend with four fourth-tier sides (AFC Wimbledon, Barrow, Doncaster and Gillingham) going off at odds-on and only AFC Wimbledon securing maximum points.

Stanley's clash at Gillingham was a contest between the 23rd and third-placed teams but the visitors competed well from the first whistle and ran out worthy winners after winning the shot count 14-8.

Accrington's triumph in Kent was their second victory on the bounce and it lifted them out of the drop zone for the first time since August.

However, their manager, John Doolan, has no desire to settle for survival and wants his players to target the top end of the division.

One of the teams they will look to overhaul are sixth-placed Barrow, who started the season impressively but have recently hit the buffers.

Stephen Clemence's Bluebirds have lost five of their last six games in all competitions, including last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Morecambe.

Despite the dip in results, Barrow are only two points adrift of the League Two summit.

However, confidence levels have taken a hit and Barrow's injury list has become a drag on performance with captain Niall Canavan and first-choice keeper Paul Farman among the absentees.

Clemence's side were on the right track in the early weeks of the campaign and are likely to come good again, but they may be vulnerable in the short term and Accrington can take full advantage.

Reading vs Crawley

Reading's off-field turmoil continued during the international break when they were handed a transfer embargo, but the Berkshire side have performed to a reasonable standard in League One and look a solid wager to register a home win over Crawley.

The Royals' latest punishment came about as a result of a missed deadline on filing financial accounts.

However, Reading's players continue to conduct themselves in the right manner and have done particularly well in home games, registering four league victories in five attempts.

Ruben Selles's side were 2-1 victors over promotion hopefuls Huddersfield in their last home game and they face an easier task against Crawley, who have taken just one point from their last eight league fixtures.

The Red Devils suffered a major blow last weekend when losing 5-3 at home to relegation rivals Shrewsbury.

They need a positive response but are heading to Reading without suspended pair Josh Flint and Jay Williams and may struggle to avoid an eighth league loss of the campaign.

Colchester vs Cheltenham

Colchester and Cheltenham are 17th and 21st in the League Two table but there could be a big gap in quality when they face each other in Essex.

Too many draws has been Colchester's problem but it is probably only a matter of time before they start to climb the standings.

Danny Cowley's side are unbeaten in four home games and should claim maximum points against Cheltenham, who may be fearing a second successive relegation after losing three of their last four league fixtures.

Swindon vs Doncaster

Second-placed Doncaster have been building on their strong finish to last season and can maintain their League Two promotion push by defeating Swindon at the County Ground.

Swindon collected their second league win with last Saturday's 3-2 success at out-of-sorts Cheltenham but they may struggle to cope with Rovers, who have racked up seven points from the last three fixtures.

Accumulator

QPR 17-20, Blackpool 21-20, Colchester 10-11, Doncaster 13-10
£1 acca returns £16.66 with Coral

First goalscorer

Josh Sargent Stoke vs Norwich
at 6-1 bet365

Sargent has bagged four goals in nine Championship appearances but he is capable of doing even better in the weeks and months ahead and looks a likely first scorer for Norwich at the bet365 Stadium.

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