EFL Betting Tips: Leeds United and Leicester City in action as promotion hopefuls battle it out

With the FA Cup taking over the attentions of both League One and League Two, it’s left to the Championship to almost exclusively take centre stage in the English Football League.

Northampton Town v Portsmouth is the only EFL fixture taking place elsewhere given that they were both surprisingly knocked out of the cup in the first round, but in the second tier there is certainly plenty to whet the appetite.

We’ve selected three matches to keep a specific eye on this weekend, with key games taking place at both ends of the table.

West Bromwich Albion v Leicester City

Kick off: 12.30pm Saturday

The Foxes are still top of the league heading into this weekend, but they’re looking slightly less comfortable after a mini-wobble that has seen them lose two of their last four and draw with rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

So despite still being the outsiders at 3.05, West Brom will be backing themselves for this one, especially considering their home record this season that has seen them win six of nine at the Hawthorns. 

Carlos Corberan’s Baggies have kept five clean sheets in their last six on home soil, but with Leicester only being outscored by one team this season a home shutout is at 3.5 this weekend. Enzo Maresca will want a reaction, and – to be fair – they’ve been quite strong on the road this season.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.88

Leeds United v Middlesbrough

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

We’re still quite early into the 2023/24 campaign, but with the league starting to take shape as we approach Christmas it’s getting to the point where positions are being noted.

Leeds are heavy favourites (1.78 to win) against Boro, which is unsurprising considering their six-game winning streak at Elland Road, and with both Leicester and Ipswich Town slipping up a bit recently Daniel Farke’s side will be smelling blood.

Meanwhile, Michael Carrick and his team will be flying high on confidence after sticking four past Preston North End, and they’ll know that a victory here could see them climb into the top six if other results go their way. They’ve scored 2+ goals in all of their last seven away games, but haven’t kept a clean sheet away from the Riverside since last season – which is why they’re at 6 to do so against Leeds.

Prediction: Leeds United to win and both teams to score @ 3.3

Swansea City v Huddersfield Town

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

Down at the other end of the table is a fixture of huge importance for both clubs, as strugglers Swansea and Huddersfield battle it out.

As hosts the Swans are favourites (1.98 to the Terriers’ 4.3), but it’s the visitors who will go into it higher on confidence after Darren Moore’s men picked up a big away win over Sunderland in midweek. 

Swansea have only failed to score three times in the Championship this season, so they’re at 1.5 to win either half, however they’ve hardly been watertight at the back under Michael Duff, and a Huddersfield will certainly be backing themselves to get on the scoresheet. 

They’re both at different teams now, but it’s the first time that Moore and Duff will meet since the former’s Wednesday beat the latter’s Barnsley in last year’s League One play-off final, so there may be a hint of revenge in the air for the home manager as well. Just to add an extra bit of spice to the afternoon.

A win for either could see a big step taken away from the relegation zone.

Prediction: A draw @ 3.60

Recommended Bets

Back BTTS in West Brom v Leicester City @ 1.88
Back Leeds to beat Middlesbrough and BTTS @ 3.30
Back a draw in Swansea v Huddersfield @ 3.60