EFL Acca: Can Plymouth and Tranmere continue their winning runs?

The EFL continues this weekend, which means more tips from expert Jack Goddard. Read on for value bets from the Championship, League One and League Two, with his EFL predictions.

Millwall v West Brom

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

I tipped Millwall in my midweek tipsheet and they duly delivered by dismantling Watford in an easy 3-0 win at the Den. That victory further strengthened the Lions’ home form, which remains the joint-best in the division.

With six wins and two defeats on their own ground, as well as three consecutive league victories, Millwall are one of the in-form teams in an insanely tight Championship table. Gary Rowett’s side are just one point off the top six, and four points behind first-placed QPR.

West Brom started the post-Steve Bruce era with a victory at Reading, before instantly crashing back down to earth with a home defeat against Bristol City. It looks like they will need a permanent manager in place before they can establish any sort of consistency. The 22nd-placed Baggies have won just once on the road all season, so back that trend to continue at a tasty price.

Prediction: Millwall to win @ 2.84

Bristol Rovers v Plymouth

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Plymouth are simply electric at the moment. They have accumulated the highest number of points and the joint-longest winning streak of any side in the top four tiers of English football.

It’s impossible to bet against Ryan Lowe’s side right now as their perfect home form (seven wins from seven), is almost reflected in their away record. After losing their first two matches on the road, the Pilgrims have now collected 13 points out of a possible 15 from their last five away games.

Bristol Rovers are in the midst of a similarly hot streak after winning three games on the bounce. Two of those victories came against MK Dons and Cheltenham, though, who sit 22nd and 20th in the League One table respectively, while the other came at home to Cambridge, who are the worst away team in the division.

Joey Burton’s side have proved that they’re too good for the drop, but the talent and ability of this Plymouth squad will still prove too strong for them.

Prediction: Plymouth to win @ 2.28

Morecambe v Barnsley

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Morecambe are stone-dead last in the League One table and have recently suffered three consecutive defeats, which included a home loss to Cambridge, before stopping the rot with a draw at second-bottom Burton.

The Shrimps are the worst home side in the top four tiers of English football with just two points to show from their six games at Mazuma Stadium this season. Derek Adams’ side aren’t just losing at home but they are also being played off the park, averaging just 35.3% possession. They last managed to avoid defeat on their own ground on August 13, when they scraped a 1-1 draw with Fleetwood.

Barnsley, meanwhile, haven’t won either of their last two league matches. However, it’s worth nothing that they won four of their five games before their current dry spell. With the division’s fourth-best away record, they will make no mistake in Morecambe.

Prediction: Barnsley to win @ 1.91

Crawley v Mansfield

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

After losing their first three away games, Mansfield have now won four in a row on the road, conceding just twice in the process. It’s quite a turnaround for the Stags, who now sit just one point adrift of the automatic promotion places in League Two.

Mansfield have been one of the leading sides in the division since mid-August, losing just one of their last ten games. Crawley were also miserable before mid-August, picking up a single point from their first five matches, but, unlike their Saturday rivals, that trend has continued.

Indeed, the Red Devils find themselves in an identical vein of form now, having lost four of their last five - the one win in that run came on Saturday against fellow strugglers Newport, which was Crawley’s second home win of the season. This match will swiftly deliver Kevin Betsy’s side with another loss on their own patch.

Prediction: Mansfield to win @ 1.75

Harrogate v Tranmere

Kick-off: 3pm Saturday

Along with Plymouth, Tranmere have the joint-longest winning run of any side in the Premier League and EFL after recording five successive victories in League Two.

Rovers were the best home side in the division last season, but now they have the away record to match. Micky Mellon’s team have won their last three games on the road without conceding a single goal after they previously failed to win their first four away matches of the campaign.

Harrogate, meanwhile, have been in terrible form over the last two months and they now hover just two points above the relegation zone. 

Prior to victory at home against bottom side Hartlepool on Saturday, Harrogate had managed just one point from their previous eight games. With just one home win since the opening day of the campaign, I seriously doubt Harrogate can prevent Tranmere’s relentless march up the table on Saturday.

Prediction: Tranmere to win @ 2.44

EFL predictions

Millwall v West Bromwich Albion: Millwall to win @ 2.84
Bristol Rovers v Plymouth Argyle: Plymouth to win @ 2.28
Morecambe v Barnsley: Barnsley to win @ 1.91
Crawley Town v Mansfield Town: Mansfield to win @ 1.75
Harrogate Town v Tranmere Rovers: Tranmere to win @ 2.44

Accumulator odds: 46 decimal, 45-1 fractional