Expert EFL predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs

When to bet

Kick-offs 3pm

Best bets

Leyton Orient to win
2pts 7-5 Hills

Bristol City to win
1pt 29-20 general

Lincoln draw no bet
1pt 6-5 Betfair, Hills, Paddy Power

Carlisle to win
2pts 23-20 Hills

Dan Childs's EFL predictions

Shrewsbury vs Leyton Orient 

League One basement boys Shrewsbury and second-bottom Leyton Orient face each other in Shropshire and it could be the away side who get their season up and running with a victory.

Both teams are pointless after three games but the slow start to the campaign is unlikely to be season-defining for Orient, who have been narrowly beaten by a trio of ambitious teams.

Richie Wellens' side suffered 2-1 losses at home to Bolton and Birmingham either side of a 1-0 defeat at Charlton, but they were competitive on each occasion.

Orient's league shot tally (30) is slightly more than their shots faced (29), and their luck turned on Tuesday with a superb 1-0 success away to Championship side Millwall in the EFL Cup second round.

Wellens remains hopeful that his team can improve on their 11th-placed finish from last season and his confidence could soon be vindicated by points on the board.

While Orient appear to be in a completely false position, the same may not be true of Shrewsbury, who seem set for another difficult campaign.

The Shrews finished 19th last season – four points above the relegation zone – and were the division's lowest scorers with 35 goals.

To make matters worse they lost their out of contract top scorer, Dan Udoh, to Wycombe and have continued to struggle.

Paul Hurst's side have lost five of six games in all competitions and another setback could be fast approaching.

Derby vs Bristol City

Bristol City are among seven Championship clubs to remain unbeaten after the opening three games and they can continue their solid form by defeating Derby at Pride Park.

It has been a progressive summer for the Robins, who seem to have strengthened in several areas of the pitch.

Each of their three offensive signings are off to strong starts, with Sinclair Armstrong and Scott Twine bagging a goal each and Fally Mayulu scoring twice.

And Bristol City's defensive options were boosted on deadline day by the permanent signing of Luke McNally from Burnley.

Liam Manning's side looks capable of mounting a playoff push and they are in much better shape than promoted Derby, who have found it tough to adjust to the step up in grade.

Derby ground out a 1-0 home win against Middlesbrough despite having to defend for long periods but they lost at Blackburn and Watford and their total shot count (23) is the joint-lowest in the division alongside West Brom and Preston.

The Rams suffered a sobering EFL Cup exit at League Two Barrow on Tuesday – drawing 0-0 and losing 3-2 on penalties – and their tough week could be about to get worse.

Stevenage vs Lincoln

Lincoln have collected six points from three games and they look the likelier winners at Stevenage in League One.

The Imps have added to the squad which finished seventh last term and appear more likely playoff contenders than their Hertfordshire hosts, who were held to a 0-0 draw at Burton last weekend.

Carlisle vs Tranmere

Carlisle were delighted to clinch the signing of winger Jordan Jones from Wigan earlier this week and they can put a much needed three points on the board by defeating Tranmere at Brunton Park.

The Cumbrians have taken just three points from three League Two games but they were 1-0 winners against Barrow in their last home match and can take advantage of tired Tranmere, who were run ragged during Tuesday's 4-0 loss away to Leicester in the EFL Cup second round.

Accumulator

Bristol City 6-4, Leyton Orient 7-5, Carlisle 23-20, Notts County 5-4
£1 acca returns £29.02 with Hills

First goalscorer

Alassana Jatta Notts County at Swindon
6-1 general

The powerful Notts County centre-forward has scored in each of his last three appearances and has every chance of giving his team the lead against Swindon at the County Ground.

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