EFL Betting Tips: Vital points on offer at business end of the EFL season

While the Championship is in its penultimate game week, the lower leagues enter their final game weeks with much on the line. Huddersfield play Birmingham in the definition of a six-pointer, while play-off-chasing Hull host promotion-chasing Ipswich. The most inform team in League One are also in action looking to secure a play-off spot, while a stalemate suits both teams in our match in focus in League Two.  

Huddersfield vs Birmingham

Kick Off: 15:00 

While Leicester, Leeds and Ipswich do battle at the top of the Championship, Saturday sees a crucial game at the foot of the table as Huddersfield host Birmingham at the Kirklees Stadium. 

After a 0-4 drubbing at home to Swansea, the Terriers are now three points adrift from safety, with just two games remaining. It was the second time in three matches that Andre Breitrenreiter’s side have shipped four goals and alarm bells are starting to ring in West Yorkshire.

Birmingham too are in the relegation zone but sit just one point off safety. A resounding 3-0 win over Coventry was followed up by a disappointing 0-0 draw at Rotherham, so there is still plenty of work to be done for Gary Rowett’s side.

This game will surely see the loser relegated, so it is stepping into real do-or-die territory- we should see a feisty match with plenty of action. 

Huddersfield have averaged 2.45 cards per match, drawing 1.95. This average is higher at home (2.23). Birmingham average 2.68 cards per away game, while drawing 1.95 cards. 

The referee is Matthew Donohue who is averaging 4.5 cards per game when refereeing in the Championship. 

With the sheer importance of this game, coupled with a ref who isn’t afraid to brandish cards, we should be in for an explosive fixture. 

Prediction: Over 5.5 cards @ 2.12

Hull vs Ipswich

Kick Off: 20:00

Both sides have lofty ambitions of promotion to the Premier League and may face each other in the playoffs, although the Tractor Boys will be keen to ensure they do not have to rely on the lottery of the playoffs for promotion. 

After an impressive 2-3 midweek victory over Coventry made it five games unbeaten, Hull are now just three points off sixth-placed Norwich heading into the final couple of games. 

Realistically, the Tigers will have to win both remaining games by healthy score lines and hope that the Canaries slip up. It seems an unlikely permutation given that Norwich faces bottom-half sides Swansea and Birmingham in their final two. However, Liam Rosenior still believes and will ensure his side are up for this game.

Hull have scored 65 goals and conceded 56, with their games averaging 2.75 goals. 59% of their games have seen over 2.5 goals, including five of their last six.

Ipswich come into this game one point off second-placed Leeds with one game in hand. However, with Leeds facing QPR on Friday night, the Tractor Boys could come into this match four points off the Whites. 

Similarly to Hull, Ipswich may need to win their remaining games, as Leeds remain relentless. This won’t phase Kieran McKenna who loves his side playing on the front foot. 

With 85 goals scored and 53 conceded, Ipswich games are averaging 3.2 goals, with 60% of their games seeing three or more goals. 

Both teams know they must win this game, so expect an end-to-end entertaining affair in front of the Sky cameras.  

Prediction: Both Teams to Score and over 2.5 Goals @ 2.02

Lincoln vs Portsmouth

Kick Off: 12:30

While the Championship has one more gameweek after this one, Saturday signals the end of the regular League One season, with teams still fighting for promotion, playoffs and survival. 

One of those teams embroiled in a tight playoff battle is Lincoln. Two points separate Barnsley in fifth and Blackpool in eighth, with two places up for grabs. The Imps currently occupy one of the two places, knowing a win will secure a spot in the playoffs. 

Over the last 20 league games, Lincoln are the most in-form team in the league. Former Leeds coach Michael Skubala has completely transformed the Imps and has turned them into serious promotion contenders.

Defence had never been a problem for Lincoln. They have the second-best defensive record in the league only conceding 38 goals. Their issue was scoring, a problem that has been eradicated in recent weeks. In the last ten games, Lincoln have scored 25 goals – the highest total in the league in this stretch. 

They host already crowned champions Portsmouth at Sincil Bank. John Mousinho’s side deservedly took the top accolade and rightfully went overboard with their celebrations afterwards. These celebrations affected their performance against Wigan, being stunned 1-2 at home to the Latics. 

Because of this, Portsmouth can no longer reach 100 points. As such, they have nothing to play for. Mousinho has spoken about being ruthless in the transfer window as they plan for a busy summer. Therefore, he may see a dead rubber against an in-form side as the perfect time to assess some fringe players.

If that is the case, Lincoln looks good value to win and secure a top-six finish. 

Prediction: Lincoln To Win @ 2.14

Colchester vs Crewe

Kick Off: 15:00

Crewe know a draw is enough to secure a play-off spot. Colchester know a draw is enough to secure survival. Cue a stalemate.

For so long it looked a foregone conclusion that Sutton and Forest Green would be relegated from League 2 and Colchester would be safe. However, a slight upturn in form for the bottom two and a few poor Colchester results has meant the U’s go into the last game of the season needing a point for survival.

Sutton have lost just once in seven games and face an MK Dons team who have secured fourth place. They will be looking to overcome a three-point gap and a goal difference of four. 

Crewe seemed to have secured play-offs many weeks ago but one win in their last eight matches and back-to-back 0-3 losses has given the likes of Crawley and Barrow fighting hope of finishing above them. 

In these eight games, Crewe have drawn a blank in five, scoring just three times. Two of these games also ended 0-0. 

Like Colchester, Crewe know a draw secures their fate. If Alex draw and Barrow beat Mansfield, Lee Bell’s side would also avoid a Doncaster side who have won ten games in a row, instead facing an MK Dons side who have had nothing to play for in weeks and notoriously struggle in the playoffs. 

Neither side has any incentive to win the game, so it would be no surprise to see a low-tempo stalemate. 

Prediction: 0-0 Draw @ 6.00

Recommended Bets:

Back Over 5.5 cards in Huddersfield vs Birmingham @ 2.12
Back Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 goals in Hull vs Ipswich @ 2.02
Back Lincoln to Beat Portsmouth @ 2.14
Back a 0-0 draw in Colchester vs Crewe @ 6.00