EFL Betting Tips: Can anyone force their way into the play-off picture?

We are approaching do-or-die territory in the EFL, with promotion and relegation still to be decided. In the Championship, we have a crunch tie between two relegation candidates and a mammoth game between two play-off chasers. League One sees two entertaining sides chasing promotion face off, while we should see a goal-gluttonous game in Staffordshire in League Two. 

Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke City

Kick Off: 15:00

Two relegation-threatened sides Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke meet in an enthralling encounter at Hillsborough. 

Wednesday battled to a late point against Norwich on Tuesday, a result that moved them up to 22nd. Danny Rohl’s side are now level with 21st-placed Huddersfield, behind the Terriers only on goal difference. 

Stoke suffered a disappointing result on Wednesday night after losing 3-0 to fellow strugglers Swansea. The result summarised the Potter’s plight in recent years, with Steven Schumacher’s side devoid of any quality or attacking impetus. They will see this game as the perfect opportunity to bounce back and nearly secure survival.

The Owls rank second in the Championship for yellow cards, receiving 2.36 yellow cards per game. Wednesday’s opponents average 1.93 yellow cards, with this number increasing to 2.14 when at home. Games at Hillsborough average 4.52 yellow cards.

Stoke are first for yellow cards in the Championship, averaging 2.48. 

The referee for this crucial encounter is Stephen Martin. He is averaging more than five cards a game. With two teams who rank highly for yellow cards and a card-happy referee, we should see plenty of cards in Yorkshire, akin to the reverse fixture that saw seven yellow cards. 

Prediction: Over 4.5 cards @ 1.80

Preston vs Norwich

Kick Off: 15:00

With Southampton, West Brom and one of the current top three all but securing their play-off spots, there remains one position up for grabs. While Norwich are in the ascendency five points clear of Preston and Coventry, the latter two have a game in hand. 

Deepdale has become a fortress for PNE, with Ryan Lowe’s side boasting 37 points from 21 home games, winning their last two home games while scoring seven goals. This home form has put them in position to challenge the top six, with a win against Norwich necessary if the Lilywhites are to stage a late play-off charge. 

Norwich ranks third for home points, with the Canaries accumulating 47 points from 21 games at Carrow Road. A win over arch-rivals Ipswich made it eight straight home wins for David Wagner’s side. 

However, it has been their sketchy away form that has meant Norwich still have a fight on their hands to secure the play-offs. Norwich have conceded 41 goals in 21 away games, picking up just 21 points on their travels – the 19th fewest in the league. 

A late collapse to draw 2-2 against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek highlighted their defensive fragility as they crumbled in a feisty atmosphere. 

We should see a big and boisterous crowd at Deepdale, with Preston fancying their chances to add more away-day misery on the Canaries. 

Prediction: Preston Win @ 3.15

Oxford United vs Peterborough 

Kick Off: 15:00

Peterborough currently sit just six points off second-place Derby, with the added luxury of two games in hand. Buoyed by their dramatic EFL Trophy triumph, Posh will fancy their chances of sneaking into the automatics at the last minute. 

They are a club who have become renowned for their shrewd transfer recruitment and attacking football. This has been the case this season, with Darren Ferguson’s side scoring 80 goals thus far - the most in League One.

However, this attacking football has its drawbacks, with Peterborough conceding 50 goals. Only Barnsley have conceded more in the top 10. 28 of their games have seen over 2.5 goals – the joint most in the league, tied with Saturday’s opponent Oxford United. 

After Liam Manning departed to Championship side Bristol City, Oxford United turned to boyhood fan Des Buckingham. Things started slowly for the former Mumbai City manager, but the 39-year-old seems to be eventually implementing his ideas. The U’s have won back-to-back games 4-0 to strengthen their hold on the final playoff space. 

Manning’s side have scored 71 goals and conceded 53, with their games averaging 2.9 goals per game. 

Oxford United will be looking to put on a strong performance in front of an expectant home crowd, while Peterborough are in do-or-die territory in their pursuit of automatic promotion. This should lead to an open game with plenty of goalscoring chances. 

Prediction: Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 goals @ 1.80

Walsall vs Notts County

Kick Off: 15:00

After a dismal run of form in late 2023, Mat Sadler was under intense pressure to keep his job as Walsall manager. However, the 39-year-old has shown great resilience to turn the Saddlers’ fortune around and Walsall sit on the cusp of the playoffs in ninth place. 

With three home games followed by an away game at fellow playoff chasers AFC Wimbledon, Walsall will fancy their chances of finishing in the top seven. 

They’ve scored 63 goals and conceded 61 in 42 games, with their games averaging 2.95 goals per game. 25/42 (60%) of Walsall games have seen over 2.5 goals – including the reverse fixture against Notts County. 

A season that promised so much has faded into bottom-half mediocrity for Notts County on their return to the Football League. The appointment of Stuart Maynard has not gone to plan yet, with the 43-year-old winning just three of his 15 games in charge. 

The Magpies have been the league entertainers, scoring the most and conceding the most goals in League 2. Their games have averaged a whopping 3.85 goals, with a league-high 32/42 games seeing over 2.5 goals, including their last seven games. 

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.72

Recommended Bets: 

Back Over 4.5 Cards in Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke @ 1.80
Back Preston to beat Norwich @ 3.15
Back Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 goals in Oxford United vs Peterborough @ 1.80
Back Over 2.5 goals in Walsall vs Notts County @ 1.72