EFL Betting Tips and Preview: Southampton v Leeds United and top of the table clashes

It’s barely two months since the English Football League got underway, but already we’ve seen alarm bells ringing at clubs, managers sacked, and others under increasing pressure.

This week saw Darren Moore become the latest new manager in charge during an EFL game after he replaced Neil Warnock at Huddersfield Town, and it could be last chance saloon time for a few others across the pyramid this weekend if things don’t go their way.

It’s far from doom and gloom for other sides though, and we’ve picked up a game from each division as promotion-chasers look to reinforce their strong starts and see off fellow hopefuls.

Southampton v Leeds United

Kick off: 12.30pm Saturday

Given how much money was spent over the summer, the Saints were seen as strong favourites to push for an immediate return to the Premier League, but with four defeats in a row now things aren’t looking good for Russel Martin.

Leeds are favourites at St Mary’s at 2.4, and while they’ve been far from consistent themselves under Daniel Farke they go into this tie on the back of a huge 3-0 victory over Watford at Elland Road.

Joel Piroe has four in five this season and could be a solid choice on the anytime goalscorer front, and with Southampton (conceding 19) having categorically the worst defence in the division the away side will fancy their chances. The hosts are at 3.95 to keep a clean sheet.

Prediction: Leeds to win @ 2.4

Stevenage v Oxford United

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

With the same amount of points, the same goal difference and goals scored being the thing that separates The Boro from Oxford, it’s not hard to see why they’re so close when it comes to who is the favourite for this clash – the hosts at 2.5 compared to their visitors at 2.86.

Stevenage have conceded fewer and kept more clean sheets, and haven’t lost at home since March, however the U’s have scored in all but two of their 11 games across all competitions in 2023/24 so far and have won all of their last four games on the road – scoring 11.

It’s second v third, so a tight game is to be expected, but there have been over 1.5 goals in all but four of their combined 23 matches up to now. Fancy over 2.5 for this one? You can get it at 2.06.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.85

Gillingham v Mansfield Town

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

Nigel Clough’s Stags are in a great run of form at the moment, and after seeing off Peterborough United in a dramatic penalty shootout in midweek their confidence will be through the roof – they haven’t lost a single competitive game this season.

Mansfield are at 2.44 to come out on top at the Priestfield Stadium, and the Gills’ recent form of three defeats in their last five is what has led to that. They do currently find themselves second in League Two though after an excellent start to the campaign, and they’ve kept five clean sheets in nine league matches up to now. Think they could do so again? They’re at 2.98 to do so.

Neil Harris’ side are a force on home soil with five wins from six in all competitions, and there have been over 2.5 goals in four of them – these two are at 2.16 to get three goals or more in Kent.

Prediction: Both teams to score and over 2.5 @ 2.4

Recommended Bets

Back Leeds to beat Southampton @ 2.4
Back both teams to score in Stevenage v Oxford United @ 1.85
Back both teams to score and over 2.5 @ 2.4