EFL Betting Tips: Back this card double in Sunday's match

Ahead of another action-packed week of EFL football, Matthew O’Regan has selections for five matches.

Portsmouth vs Sheffield Wednesday

Friday 25 October
Live on Sky Sports Football
Kick Off: 20:00

Friday night’s live Championship fixture sees bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth host 18th-place Sheffield Wednesday at Fratton Park.

John Mousinho’s side stormed to the League One title last season but have had a tough start to their Championship campaign. In their opening 11 games, Pompey have already faced Leeds, Luton, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, West Brom, Burnley and Sheffield United. 

Pompey picked up their first win of the season last weekend, beating fellow strugglers QPR 1-2 at Loftus Road. While Portsmouth are yet to win a game at Fratton Park this season, they boasted the second-best home record in League One last season, picking up 50 points from 23 home matches.

Sheffield Wednesday sit just four points clear of the relegation zone after a disappointing start to the season. The Owls looked destined for relegation last campaign before Danny Röhl came to the club and steered them to safety with ease. 

This campaign has not started in the ideal fashion for Wednesday, winning just three games. Last season, away from home, Danny Rohl’s side struggled on their travels, scoring just 17 goals and picking up just 22 points. 

It should be a boisterous atmosphere at Fratton Park as Portsmouth chase their first home win of the season against a struggling Sheffield Wednesday side. 

Prediction: Portsmouth to win @ 3.35

Coventry vs Luton

Saturday 26 October
Live on Sky Sports Main Event
Kick Off: 12:30

Coventry were one of the favourites for promotion this season, but things are yet to materialise for the Sky Blues. Mark Robins is now entering his eighth year as Coventry manager, having led them to promotion from League Two and League One. However, the 54-year-old faces a tough challenge to get his side to the Premier League, especially after the lacklustre start to the season. 

The Sky Blues have won just two games this campaign as they sit 22nd in the Championship. They have scored the third-fewest goals in the league, finding the back of the net on just 11 occasionsd. Four of these goals have been scored by American forward Haji Wright. 

The 26-year-old scored 19 goals in his debut campaign in England and has been a rare bright spark this year. Wright is averaging 3.07 shots and 1.20 shots per 90 while scoring 0.53 goals per 90. 

Luton are in a similar predicament to Coventry and sit 19th, just two points clear of relegation. Rob Edwards’ side have struggled, particularly defensively, since relegation to the Premier League. The Hatters have kept just two clean sheets this season, coming in a 0-1 win at Millwall and a 3-0 win at home to bitter rivals Watford. 

In a match where both teams will be chasing the win, Haji Wright looks value to continue his fine start to the season.

Prediction: Back Haji Wright To Score @ 2.72

Bolton vs Peterborough

Saturday 26 October
Kick Off: 15:00

The game of the weekend in the EFL this weekend undoubtedly comes from the Toughsheet Community Stadium as Bolton host Peterborough. 

Ian Evatt’s side lost to Oxford United in the play-off final, denying the Trotters a return to the Championship for the first time since 2016. 

This defeat seems to have had a lingering effect on Bolton, who are currently lingering in 14th. A midweek defeat at Birmingham highlighted prominent issues at the club, failing to lay a glove on the league leaders. 

The Trotters’ games are averaging 3.18 goals, with four of their six home games seeing over 2.5 goals. Bolton have kept just one clean sheet at home this season, so will be dreading the visit of top scorers Peterborough, fresh off of a 5-1 win over Blackpool. 

Goals and entertainment are ingrained in Peterborough’s DNA throughout the years. Darren Ferguson’s side have scored the most and conceded the most goals this season, with their games averaging 3.85 goals. 

Ten out of Peterborough's 13 games have seen ‘both teams to score’ landing. Their journey north to the Toughsheet Community Stadium is set to deliver an entertaining affair. Bolton are the favourites and will be playing in front of an expectant crowd – something that may just suit Peterborough. 

Prediction: Peterborough to win and Both Teams To Score @ 6.60

Newport County vs Fleetwood

Saturday 26 October
Kick Off: 15:00

Newport County were one of the favourites for relegation, with top scorer Will Evans sold to Mansfield and rookie manager Nelson Jardim appointed. 

However, the Exiles have had a strong start to the season, sitting 13th in the league, three points off the playoffs and ten points clear of relegation. 

Jardim’s side thwarted a three-game losing run by defeating high-flying Gillingham 0-2 away from home. At Rodney Parade, County have been strong, picking up 12 points from six games. 

Saturday’s opponents are recently relegated Fleetwood who sit one place and two points behind their hosts. Charlie Adam’s side come into this game after back-to-back defeats against Port Vale and Crewe. 

Despite being ahead of the visitors in the table, Newport are priced as the underdogs.

Prediction: Newport County to win @ 3.70

Norwich vs Middlesbrough

Sunday 27 October
Kick Off: 15:00
Live on Sky Sports+

The final EFL game of the weekend sees seventh place Norwich host eighth-placed Middlesbrough at Carrow Road. There is not much to separate the sides, so I have delved into the player card market. 

Hayden Hackney has impressed since breaking into the Middlesbrough side in 2022, earning seven England u21 caps. The academy graduate has adorned himself to the ‘Boro faithful with his tenacious tackling and competitive edge. In 11 league starts this season, Hackney has been booked three times. 

So far this season, seven centre midfielders have been booked against the Canaries. 

Callum Doyle is another young player who has shone in the Championship. The 21-year-old has had successful loan spells at Sunderland, Coventry and Leicester and now Norwich.

Doyle is competent at centre-back but has forged a career at full-back. Playing at left-back, Doyle has been booked in three of his last four starts, as well as four in total. 

Since arriving on loan from Liverpool, Ben Doak has claimed the starting berth on the right of Middlesbrough’s attack. The teenage Scotland star is winning an average of 1.81 fouls per 90. 

If Doak does not start, Izzy Jones, who won 1.42 fouls per 90 last season, will cause Doyle some issues. 

Four left-backs have been booked against Middlesbrough this season, with Doyle presenting good value to make it five.

Prediction: Callum Doyle and Hayden Hackney to be carded @ 10.00

Recommended Bets 

Back Portsmouth to Beat Sheffield Wednesday @ 3.35
Back Haji Wright to score in Coventry vs Luton @ 2.72
Back Peterborough to win and Both Teams To Score vs Bolton @ 6.60
Back Newport County to beat Fleetwood @ 3.70
Back Callum Doyle and Hayden Hackney to be carded in Norwich vs Middlesbrough @ 10.00