Expert EFL predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs

When to bet

Kick-offs 3pm Saturday unless stated

Best bets

Plymouth draw no bet
2pts Evs bet365, BoyleSports

Peterborough or draw double chance
2pts 11-10 BoyleSports, Hills

MK Dons
3pts 6-5 general

Salford or draw double chance
12.30pm Saturday
3pts 4-5 bet365

Dan Childs's EFL predictions

Plymouth vs Preston

Plymouth's Championship survival hopes have taken a hit with back-to-back away defeats, but the Devon outfit are a different proposition on home soil and can prevail over Preston.

There were a lot of changes for Plymouth in the summer with Wayne Rooney taking over as head coach and several new signings arriving at the club.

However, Argyle have the look of a competitive second-tier side and they tend to play their best football at Home Park.

Rooney's side have registered three successive home victories, including a well-deserved 3-2 triumph over leaders Sunderland.

They have delighted their supporters by playing, free-flowing, front-foot football and their tally of ten points at home is the highest among the bottom eight teams.

Plymouth were beaten 1-0 at Millwall on Wednesday but their performance at the Den was a big improvement on their effort in a 5-0 loss at Cardiff last Saturday.

Rooney's side have taken the positives from the midweek match and will be confident of a better outcome against Preston, who are just two points better off.

Preston have improved under Paul Heckingbottom but Tuesday's 2-2 draw at home to Norwich left a bitter taste because they were two goals ahead after just 12 minutes.

Dropping points against the Canaries was a blow and it may not be swiftly rectified unless the Lilywhites can address their poor away form.

Preston haven't won on ten successive Championship road trips and disappointment may await them in Devon.

Bolton vs Peterborough

Peterborough have been League One's entertainers with 25 goals scored and the same number conceded and their attacking prowess can help them secure at least a point at Bolton.

The early months of the season have not gone as planned for either side, who were both expected to feature in the promotion race but are stuck in mid-table.

However, there is ample time for the clubs to get their act together and Peterborough took a big step forward on Tuesday with a 5-1 victory at home to Blackpool.

Poor defending has been Peterborough's achilles heel but their chances of resisting Bolton are helped by central defender Emmanuel Fernandez's anticipated return after a one-match suspension.

Bolton are just a point below Peterborough having played two games fewer but their inconsistencies have been disappointing for a club who finished third last term on 87 points.

The Trotters were soundly beaten 2-0 at Birmingham on Tuesday and they may struggle to find the right response.

Grimsby vs MK Dons

League Two promotion hopefuls MK Dons continued their revival on Tuesday with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at home to Accrington and they can make it three wins from three by beating seventh-placed Grimsby at Blundell Park.

The Dons have been victorious on their last two road trips, scoring eight goals in the process, and they might be a little too slick for the Mariners, who are in the playoff places despite a minus-five goal difference.

Colchester vs Salford

Mid-table Salford have been inching their way up the League Two table and they can make further progress by avoiding defeat at struggling Colchester.

Karl Robinson's side have taken four points from their last two fixtures and can take a point or three against their injury-hit hosts, who have not won in six attempts.

Accumulator

Plymouth 7-4, Sheffield United 4-5, Sunderland 4-7, MK Dons 6-5
£1 acca returns £17.10 with Coral

First goalscorer

Sam Nombe Rotherham v Stevenage
at 6-1 general

Rotherham centre-forward Sam Nombe has scored three times in the last five games and can deliver against Stevenage, who are without suspended centre-back Carl Piergianni.

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