EFL Saturday tips: why in-form Forest can deliver a high five

We could be in store for another thrilling weekend of EFL action with key games at the top and bottom of all three divisions. Here’s our selection of the best bets.

Sheffield United vs Bournemouth

12:45pm, Sky Sports Main Event

Paul Heckingbottom has overseen eight wins and two draws at home for the loss of just two goals since taking over at the helm. The Blades – who have been depleted by injuries - ground out recent home wins against QPR and Barnsley and victory in the early kick-off would send them third.

Scott Parker’s side went down to their first defeat in six games on Wednesday at West Brom, the first time they failed to score in 11 league matches. They are, however, six points clear in second and are at 3.1 to end Heckingbottom’s unbeaten home run and 5.9 to win with both teams scoring. Dominic Solanke has scored four in five games and he is at 2.82 to score anytime.

Recommended bet: Solanke anytime @ 2.82

Nottingham Forest vs Birmingham City

3pm

Four straight league wins have propelled Forest into fifth with two games in hand on the teams around them. Steve Cooper’s side are at 4.1 to win both halves and – given the visitors’ paucity in front of goal – at 2.46 to win to nil.

Birmingham are 18^th and safe in the Championship for another season although their recent form has been patchy, so Forest should be good enough to win this one comfortably.

Recommended bet: Forest win both halves @ 4.1

Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder has seen his side concede just once in their last four games, against leaders Fulham in midweek

Middlesbrough vs Hull City

3pm

Chris Wilder’s team are seventh, two points behind his former club Sheffield United but with a game in hand. Their form has been inconsistent of late and they went down narrowly to league leaders Fulham at the Riverside in midweek although the result did not match the performance.

However, a win is imperative given their following two games are against promotion contenders Bournemouth and Huddersfield. Boro are at 1.55 to win and with only one goal conceded in four, they can be backed at 2.46 to win to nil.

The Tigers have hosted Boro’s fellow promotion hopefuls Luton and Huddersfield in their last two games, losing out both times. They are at 6.8 to win and 4.1 to claim a draw.

Recommended bet: Middlesbrough to win to nil @ 2.46

AFC Wimbledon vs MK Dons

3pm

A match that always evokes strong emotion also features two teams deep amid their respective League One battles. The hosts are desperate for points in their bid to survive with their last victory coming on 7 December. Their six-game losing streak came to an end on Tuesday when Zach Robinson scored a late equaliser against Charlton.

MK Dons, by contrast, are flying high in second and have the best away record in the division with 12 wins and five draws on the road. They are unbeaten in 14, of which 11 were wins, and they are at 1.9 to take all three points and 5.2 to win both halves.

Recommended bet: MK Dons win both halves @ 5.2

Port Vale vs Oldham Athletic

3pm

Another game that could have ramifications at both ends of the table, this time in League Two, will be played out at Vale Park. The hosts occupy the third automatic promotion place, but just three points separate them from sixth.

They have enjoyed three straight wins and are at 1.5 to extend their seven-match unbeaten run and 3.75 to win and both teams to score.

The Latics have hoisted themselves out of the drop zone thanks to wins against Leyton Orient and Stevenage to go third-bottom, three points clear of the latter. It is a tough trip to Vale Park, though, and they are 7.2 to win with a draw at 3.6.

Recommended bet: Port Vale/BTTS @ 3.75

Recommended bets

Solanke anytime @ 2.82

Forest both halves @ 4.1

Middlesbrough win to nil @ 2.46

MK Dons both halves @ 5.2

Port Vale/BTTS @ 3.75