EFL Betting Tips: Four tips from this action packed EFL mid-week schedule

This week’s midweek slate sees us preview high-flying Leicester hosting lowly Sheffield Wednesday and two playoff chasing teams in Norwich and Watford facing each other. Promotion favourites Bolton are in action, while goals are expected in abundance in one League 2 fixture in particular. 

Leicester vs Sheffield Wednesday 

Kick Off: Tuesday 19:45: Sky Sports Red Button

Saturday’s 1-2 victory over Watford was Leicester’s third straight win, putting them 11 points clear at the top of the table. Enzo Maresca’s side have been far and away the best side in the division and are dominant in every metric.

The Foxes have won the most games (24), scored the most goals (66) and conceded the fewest goals (24). Despite their attacking dominance, their top scorers (Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall & Stephy Mavididi) only rank ninth in the top scoring charts with 10 goals. Leicester have spread their goals across their team, boasting 17 different goal scorers already.

The visitors on Tuesday are Sheffield Wednesday, who sit 23rd, give points from safety. While Danny Röhl has stabilised the club, he was left with far too much to do. A 2-0 victory over Birmingham on Friday is sure to have boosted morale amongst the club, but a trip to Leicester is surely one the Owls are dreading. 

Of their 15 away games, Sheffield Wednesday have lost 12, winning two and drawing one, conceding 30 goals in the process. Their last three away games have seen them lose 4-0, 4-1 and 4-0. 

With the best team in the league hosting a team that struggles on the road, we’re expecting a heavy victory for the hosts.

Prediction: Leicester -1.5 handicap @ 1.92

Norwich vs Watford 

Kick Off: Tuesday 19:45, Sky Sports Red Button

Four points and two places separate Norwich and Watford, with both chasing the last two playoff spaces. Both will need to be on top form, with Coventry and West Brom in good form.

The Canaries have had a topsy-turvy season thus far, winning 13, drawing six and losing 12 of their 31 games. With 50 goals scored and 47 conceded, Norwich games have seen an average of 3.12 goals. 

However, games at Carrow Road have restored a bit of clarity, with David Wagner’s side picking up 29 points in 15 games, conceding just 15 goals. Four of their last five home games have ended in victory for Norwich, with the exception a 1-1 draw to high-flying Southampton, who are unbeaten in 25.

Watford on the other hand, are six without victory, having lost three in a row. Fans are growing more disconcerted with off-the-field issues. 

Norwich’s price to make it five home wins from six against an out-of-sorts Watford team appeals.

Prediction: Norwich win @ 2.18

Bolton Wanderers vs Wycombe Wanderers 

Kick Off: Tuesday 19:45

As ever, the League One promotion race is set to go right down to the wire, with potentially five teams fighting for two automatic promotion places. 

Ian Evatt’s side currently sit third, one point off Derby in second and seven points off Portsmouth in first. However, the Trotters have two games in hand on Derby and three on Portsmouth, so their fate is in their own hands.  

They have only lost one match in their last 10 in the league, so are building momentum at the right time. Renowned for their easy-on-the eye possession football, Bolton are currently second favourite (1.48) for promotion. 

With only 28 conceded, Bolton boast the joint best defensive record in the league, as well as ranking fourth for goals scored with 52 goals, showcasing their ability at both ends of the pitch. At home, Evatt’s side have the most points per game, picking up 2.13 points per game at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. 

15th place Wycombe are the visitors, with the Chairboys currently six points clear of relegation and 16 points off the playoffs. Matt Bloomfield had come in for criticism earlier in the season, with Wycombe showing signs of stagnating. 

However, things have turned around in recent weeks , winning back-to-back games for the first time since September. 

With Wycombe expected to sit back and let Bolton have the ball, Bolton should create plenty of opportunities, and look a nice price to win yet again.

Prediction: Bolton win @ 1.85

Tranmere Rovers vs Morecambe 

Kick Off: Tuesday 19:45

The final game of the tip sheet comes from Merseyside, with Tranmere hosting Morecambe at Prenton Park. 

Nigel Adkins has led a revolution at Rovers, steering them clear of safety and steadying a sinking ship. Despite developing a reputation for being a pragmatic manager, Adkin’s sides games have seen an abundance of goals, seeing an average of three per game. 

Of their 15 home games, 12 have seen over 2.5 – the second highest in the league. The Superwhites home games have averaged 3.2 goals per game. 

They host a Morecambe side who have gone under the radar, currently sitting in 12th. However, the Shrimps have conceded the second most xGa away from home (1.67) and 30 goals in 14 away games. 

A league high 12/14 of their aways have seen over 2.5 goals, with this landing in their last seven. Their games are also averaging over 3 goals a game. 

With two sides topping the respective home/away rankings for over 2.5 goals, the over 2.5 goal line is very generously priced.

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.84

Recommended Bets:

Back Leicester to beat Sheffield Wednesday with a -1.5 Handicap @ 1.92
Back Norwich to beat Watford @ 2.18
Back Bolton to beat Wycombe @ 1.85
Back over 2.5 goals in Tranmere vs Morecambe @ 1.84