EFL Betting Tips: Can the Blades remain unbeaten at Elland Road?

Now that the dreaded international break is over, we have the return of a full slate of EFL fixtures. Matthew O’Regan returns with his tipsheet, which includes two derbies in the Championship, as well as covering a game from League One, League Two as well as Sunday’s live Championship clash.

Leeds United vs Sheffield United

Friday 18 October
Kick Off: 20:00
Live On Sky Sports Football

Leeds United play Sheffield United in front of fans for the first time since 2019. It should be a raucous atmosphere from two passionate fan bases, although they may be starved of action on the pitch. 

The Whites were the third-best team in the regular Championship season last year but lost in the playoff final to Southampton. The hierarchy kept faith in Daniel Farke and the German currently has his side in fifth place, three points off the leaders. 

Two of their four games have seen under 2.5 goals at Elland Road. The opening day 3-3 draw with Portsmouth saw the visitors score three goals from just five shots, with one shot coming from the halfway line. 

In total, 6/9 Leeds games have seen under 2.5 goals.

Sheffield United are the only unbeaten team left in the EFL, with Chris Wilder augmenting a defence that conceded a record number of Premier League goals.

The Blades have only conceded three goals all season, with only one of these coming on their travels – a cagey 1-1 draw against Norwich. 

8/9 Sheffield United games have seen under 2.5 goals, including all four away games.

Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.84

Luton vs Watford

Saturday 19 October
Kick Off: 12:30
Live on Sky Sports Football

Luton’s relegation from the Premier League sees another instalment of the Beds-Herts Derby between Luton and Watford. 

The Hatters gave a good account of themselves in the Premier League but were ultimately relegated, and that relegation still seems to have a lingering effect on Rob Edwards’ side. 

Luton sit just one point above the drop zone, having won just twice this season. Rob Edwards is under serious scrutiny and will be keen to beat his former side to prolong his stay at Kenilworth Road.

While it may not be the entertainment that Luton fans wanted, they certainly have not been starved of entertainment, with all four home games seeing three or more goals. 

It was a tumultuous summer for Watford, losing key players Yaser Asprilla, Ismael Kone and Wesley Hoedt. Despite this, freshly appointed manager Tom Cleverley has the Hornets in sixth place. 

Watford games have been end-to-end, with 14 goals scored and 14 conceded, for an average of 3.11 goals. Three of their four away games have seen over 2.5 goals, with the 1-0 loss at defensive powerhouses Sheffield United the only slight on the record. 

Prediction: Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 goals @ 1.94

Reading vs Crawley

Saturday 19 October
Kick Off: 12:30

Despite many off-the-field issues that could see them cease to exist, Reading have had a solid start to the season. 

The Royals may only be 17th in the league, but a win in their next game in hand can see them move level with sixth place Stockport.

There has been a contrast in the Royals’ home and away form. Ruben Selles’ side have won four of their five home games but have gained just one point on the road – the second-worst record in the league. 

In these four wins, Reading have scored at least two goals, beating Wigan and Charlton 2-0, before 2-1 and 3-1 wins against Huddersfield and Burton, respectively. 

Crawley defied the odds by gaining promotion to League One through the playoffs. They started the seasons with wins over Blackpool and Cambridge in the league and against Swindon in the cup. 

Since then, it has only been downhill, failing to win any of their next eleven games, losing nine of these. Scott Lindsey also left for MK Dons, with the Red Devils losing all five games since his departure. 

Away from home, they have been poor, losing three of their four games. With Crawley in such a downward trajectory, they may struggle to leave the Madejski Stadium with any points.

Prediction: Reading -1 Asian Handicap @ 2.12

Crewe vs Salford

Saturday 19 October
Kick Off: 15:00

Crewe suffered play-off heartbreak losing to Crawley at Wembley, despite a miraculous comeback to beat Doncaster in the semi-finals. This seemed to affect their start to the season, with the Railwaymen starting the season with a 1-0 loss at Barrow, a 0-5 home loss to Chesterfield and a 0-0 home draw with struggling Swindon. 

Since then, Lee Bell’s side have been near faultless, losing just once in their next seven league games, winning five of these games. Alex have been defensively resilient since the opening three games, conceding just four times in the next seven, winning four games without conceding. 

Salford are in limbo this season, currently sitting five points from relegation and six points from playoffs. Karl Robinson’s side have struggled in front of goal this season, scoring just seven goals – the second-fewest in the league. They’ve also conceded just 11 goals, with their games averaging just 1.8 goals. 

Salford have failed to win away from home, scoring just twice and conceding four times in their four away games. Crewe’s only home defeat came in their first home game against Chesterfield. 

6/10 Crewe games have seen under 2.5 goals, while 7/10 Salford away games have seen under 2.5 goals. 

Prediction: Crewe Double Chance and Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.83

Hull vs Sunderland

Sunday 20 October
Kick Off: 15:00
Live on Sky Sports Football

Hull had a disastrous start to the season after controversially dismissing Liam Rosenior at the end of last campaign. 

Chaotic German manager Tim Walter was appointed and got off to the worst possible start, failing to win any of his opening five league games. The 48-year-old was on the brink of dismissal before a string of impressive results. 

The Tigers beat Stoke 1-3, Cardiff 4-1, and QPR 1-3, propelling them into the top half. They came crashing back down to earth with a 4-0 loss to Norwich that saw them drop into the bottom half as they now sit 13th. Sunderland are top of the table, having scored the most goals in the league. 

While Hull have only seen over 2.5 goals land in 4/9 games, these came in the last four games. In Sunderland’s four away games, three have seen over 2.5 goals, except a 0-2 win at Cardiff. 

Hull will want to get back to winning ways in front of the sky cameras, while Sunderland will want to maintain their lead at the top of the table, having lost their last two away games, conceding 1.89 xGA and 1.79 xGA. 

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.71

Recommended Bets: 

Back Under 2.5 goals in Leeds vs Sheffield United @ 1.84
Back Both Teams To Score and over 2.5 goals in Luton vs Watford @ 1.94
Back Reading -1 Asian Handicap vs Crawley @ 2.12
Back Crewe Double Chance and under 2.5 goals vs Salford @ 1.83
Back Over 2.5 goals in Hull vs Sunderland @ 1.71