EFL Betting Tips: Who will come out on top in East Anglia?

We are heading into the season's final weeks and as things heat up in the EFL, we should see plenty of entertainment. A tense rivalry in the Championship starts the weekend’s action before two teams meet in a crunch relegation clash in Yorkshire. Relegation-threatened Burton hosts play-off chasing Oxford United before underachieving Notts County hosts overachieving Harrogate Town. 

Norwich vs Ipswich

Kick Off: 12:30

Saturday’s early kick-off sees Norwich host arch-rivals Ipswich in front of the Sky cameras. 

A 3-1 loss to Leicester ended a run of three straight wins for the Canaries. However, defeats for Hull, Coventry and Preston softened the blow, meaning David Wagner’s side still have their destiny in their own hands. 

If Norwich are to make the playoffs it will be their home form to thank, with The Canaries winning their last seven league games at Carrow Road. The 44 points they have won at home rank them third in the league for home form. 

On Saturday, they welcome an Ipswich side who are the second best on the road. Momentum is fully on the Tractor Boys’ side, having won nine of their last ten games. The circumstances surrounding their dramatic 3-2 over promotion rivals Southampton highlighted their resilience. 

Outside of the top four, Norwich have scored the most goals in the league (72). Wagner’s side have also conceded the most goals in the top 14 (58), with their games averaging 3.25 goals. Of their last 11 games, nine have seen Both Teams Score – including their last five. 

The Canaries have also scored in their last 12 games in all competitions, with the away loss to Leeds the only time David Wagner’s side have failed to score in 2024. 

Ipswich matches have also been entertaining, with Kieran McKenna’s side boasting the most goals in the league (84). However, the Tractor Boys have also shown defensive fragility, conceding 51. With 135 goals in 40 matches this season, Ipswich games have averaged 3.375 goals. 

Of their last 13 games in all competitions, Ipswich have seen over 2.5 goals in nine, scoring in their last 16 straight games. 

With two attacking teams chasing promotion in a lively atmosphere, we should see plenty of goals at both ends of the pitch.

Prediction: Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.73

Huddersfield vs Millwall

Kick Off: 15:00

A crunch relegation battle takes centre stage in West Yorkshire as 22nd place Huddersfield hosts 19th-placed Millwall. 

Huddersfield have been on a poor run of form, failing to win any of their last six games, a run that has plunged them deep into a relegation battle. André Breitenreiter’s side are currently one point from safety and desperately need points on the board if they are to survive. 

Their opponents Millwall are currently four points clear of the Terriers. Neil Harris has steadied the ship in his seven games in charge, winning three of these games despite some subpar performances. 

The Terriers have three home games remaining and will be looking to win all three to climb towards safety.  With this game being their most winnable on paper, expect Huddersfield to come into this with all guns blazing as they attempt to gain a valuable three points. 

Millwall will be desperate for a positive result, as a defeat will leave them precariously close to the drop. A fiery game is expected at the Kirklees Stadium. 

In terms of cards, Huddersfield games are only averaging 3.83 cards per game. Millwall averages 4.2 cards per game. The added game state means we should see more cards than usual, with an added caveat to the bet being that referee James Linnington is averaging 4.75 cards shown per Championship game. 

With a card-happy referee and an aggressive game expected, the over 4.5 card line looks to be very backable.

Prediction: Over 4.5 Cards @ 2.08

Burton vs Oxford United

Kick Off: 15:00

Burton Albion looks to be engulfed in a relegation battle, having failed to win any of their last nine games. Martin Paterson’s side look devoid of any fight or quality, highlighted by the fact they lost and failed to score at home against fellow relegation strugglers Port Vale and Carlisle. 

The Brewers are currently only one point clear of relegation and face a daunting final six matches as they battle to stay in League One. 

However, with six defeats in a row at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton fans could hardly be blamed for their pessimism. 

This pessimism is unlikely to be helped by the visit of seventh-place Oxford United. Des Buckingham has struggled in his 29 matches in charge of his boyhood club, with the U’S sliding down the table. All hope is not lost, with two wins from three seeing them level on points with the in-form Lincoln City. 

After Saturday’s game, Oxford face Peterborough (4th), Lincoln (6th) and Stevenage (8th) in the space of six days, so the pressure will be on them to beat struggling Burton.  

Buckingham’s side have picked up 31 points away from home, nine more than Burton have picked up at home, and look good money to extend that gap to 12. 

Prediction: Oxford United to Win @ 2.06

Notts County vs Harrogate

Kick Off: 15:00

After a dramatic playoff final victory last season, Notts County started their League 2 campaign with great promise and a second promotion looked likely. However, manager Luke Williams was poached by Championship side Swansea City and things have gone downhill for The Magpies. 

Stuart Maynard was appointed from National League side Wealdstone and things have not gone to plan in his tenure. The 43-year-old has only won two of his 14 games in charge, losing nine. Things have started to turn sour at Meadow Lane, with County conceding 27 goals in his 14 games in charge. 

However, this defensive fragility is nothing new for Notts County having conceded a league-high 79 goals this season. Their defence has de-railed a season that started with such promise and has seen Notts County slide down to 16th. 

Saturday’s visitors have shocked many people with their performances this season, with Simon Weaver’s side in 12th, just four points off the playoffs. The 46-year-old is a club legend having managed 683 games for the Sulphurites and will write himself in Harrogate folklore if he manages to steer them to an unlikely promotion.

Unlike Saturday’s hosts, Harrogate are in fine form and are unbeaten in five. This run has seen them draw 0-0 at Wrexham and Barrow (3rd and 5th respectively), before beating Yorkshire rivals Bradford 3-0.  A 1-1 draw at AFC Wimbledon was next before a 5-1 drubbing of Gillingham strengthened their playoff push. Their fairy-tale season has been made possible by their 32 away points – the third highest in the league. 

Banners asking for boss Stuart Maynard to be sacked were present in the 3-3 draw with MK Dons and could make an appearance again should County make it eight home games in a row without winning. 

Prediction: Harrogate To Win @ 3.50

Recommended Bets: 

Back Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals in Norwich vs Ipswich @ 1.73
Back Over 4.5 Cards in Huddersfield vs Millwall @ 2.08
Back Oxford United to Beat Burton Albion @ 2.06
Back Harrogate Town to Beat Notts County @ 3.50