EFL Betting Tips: Fireworks at in the Old Farm and Derby County’s promotion push continues

It’s derby day in the Championship this weekend as Ipswich Town play host to Norwich City, and the winds of change are sweeping through East Anglia.

We’re now fully into the December madness that comes with the festive period in England, football games coming thick and fast throughout the country as teams all over the English Football League look to end 2023 on a high.

Here’s a game from each division to take a closer look at, and there’s plenty at stake…

Championship

Ipswich Town v Norwich City

Kick off: 12.30pm Saturday

It’s been a while since the last ‘Old Farm’ – almost five years in fact – and it’s even longer since Ipswich managed to win one, but they head into this encounter flying high and heavy favourites to come out on top (6.1).

Norwich got back to winning ways by beating Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 in midweek, but they’ve had a very hot and cold season so far and have managed only three away victories all season in the Championship. They’re at 2.74 to even win either half for this one.

One thing the Canaries do do, however, is score. They’ve managed to get on the scoresheet in every game on the road since March 18th, and with the Tractor Boys’ defence hardly watertight (a clean sheet is at 1.88) the visitors will back themselves to find the back of the net. The chances are, though, that one goal won’t be enough as Ipswich seek their first derby win since 2009.

Prediction: Ipswich to win and over 2.5 goals @ 2.16

League One

Derby County v Wycombe Wanderers

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

After a difficult start to the season it looks like Derby have now hit their stride under Paul Warne, and the fact that Wycombe are at 7.6 for three points at Pride Park says everything about each side’s current form.

The Rams have won five League One games on the bounce, conceding just the one goal, while Matt Bloomfield’s Chairboys haven’t picked up a league win since back in October. They’ve only scored once in their last five fixtures, so a home clean sheet (at 1.98) could be tempting.

Having the experience of players like James Collins and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing certainly helps, and it’s hard to see the visitors getting much from their trip to Derbyshire.

Prediction: Derby County to win to nil @ 2.26

League Two

Stockport County v Sutton United

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

To say this one is a mismatch would be an understatement as the top of League Two faces the bottom, and while Sutton are unbeaten in five games, they’re also – quite bizarrely – winless in four.

The hosts head into this fixture needing to turn around a mini slump that has seen them pick up just two points from the last nine, however a 12-game winning streak prior to the last three showed exactly how dangerous they can be. It’s why they’re at 1.39 to win at Edgeley Park. 

If you think Sutton can pick up their fifth consecutive 1-1 draw then that’s at 9.4, and having scored in all of their last nine fixtures you wouldn’t put it past them to get at least one here – especially with the hosts having kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 across all competitions. They’re at 2.12 to change that on home soil this time around.

Prediction: Stockport County to win and both teams to score @ 3.05

Recommended Bets

Back Ipswich to beat Norwich and BTTS @ 2.16
Back Derby to beat Wycombe to nil @ 2.26
Back Stockport to beat Sutton and BTTS @ 3.05