EFL Betting Tips: Stockport to return to winning ways against Walsall

We’re almost two weeks into the transfer window, and there are lots of debuts expected around the English Football League this weekend.

The madness of the festive period is over as teams return to a relatively normal fixture schedule, but for the managers it’s time for a different time of busy as they look to shore up their ranks for the second half of the season.

This weekend the EFL takes centre stage with not a single 3pm kick off happening in the Premier League, and as always we’ve picked one game from each division to take a closer look at: 

Championship

Huddersfield Town v Plymouth Argyle

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

At one point it looked very much like three of the bottom four in the second tier would face the drop, and that just one of Huddersfield, Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United would survive. That’s changed now.

Every team up to Plymouth in 18th seem to be in danger of possibly getting suck into the mix now, and if the Terriers can get a win here (at 2.62) then they’ll be just one point behind the Pilgrims and Stoke City. They’ve only got two wins in their last 10, but a couple of new signings could give them a boost.

Argyle have had a tough time of it of late, losing their manager and a key player, and with just one win in their last seven it’s not hard to see why they aren’t favourites for this one. They do have the impressive Morgan Whittaker (2.5 as anytime goalscorer) though, and even if they don’t win they do tend to score. Both teams have scored in nine of their last 13 league matches.

Prediction: Both teams to score and over 2.5 @ 1.92

League One

Charlton Athletic v Peterborough United

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

Charlton could have potentially a whole new midfield when they play host to Peterborough United, with Tyreeq Bakinson, Conor Coventry and Lewis Fiorini all being snapped up in January so far. They’re going to need an immediate impact if the Addicks are going to make any sort of late play-off push. 

 Michael Appleton’s side are very much the outsiders for this clash (3.15 to win) even on home turf as they take on the promotion-chasing Posh, and with the visitors unbeaten in their last nine third tier games it’s not much of a shock. Darren Ferguson’s side have conceded seven in their last four even as they remained unbeaten though, so they are there to be got at – but with Charlton winless since November the hosts have to up their game if they’re to start closing the 13 gap that separates them from the top six.

Prediction: Peterborough United to win @ 2.08

League Two

Stockport County v Walsall

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

The Hatters need to get back in gear after a tough couple of weeks, and if their recent form continues this weekend then they’re very much at risk of losing the top spot in League Two. Draws with Barrow and Bradford City followed by a home defeat to Mansfield Town has left them with just a two-point lead, and they could drop down to third if things don’t go their way on Saturday. 

And they face a resurgent Walsall outfit that have won five of their last six league matches, three of which were on the road, which makes their odds of 5.9 to win seem a little tempting. You can even get them just to score at 1.58 by going against a home clean sheet. 

Stockport will know the importance of getting back to winning ways, but with just four shutouts since the start of November their in-form opponents won’t be writing themselves off as they make the trip to Edgeley Park. 

Prediction: Stockport to win and both teams to score @ 3.35

Recommended Bets

Back BTTS and over 2.5 goals in Huddersfield v Plymouth @ 1.92
Back Peterborough to beat Charlton @ 2.08
Back Stockport to beat Walsall and BTTS @ 3.35