EFL weekend tips: Cherries travel to Terriers in Championship promotion clash

The closer we get to the end of the season, the more there is riding on every EFL game with promotion and relegation battles to be settled. Here’s our selection of the best bets.

Sheffield United vs Barnsley

Saturday 19 March, 12:30pm, Sky Sports Red Button

The Blades’ playoff bid has faltered in recent weeks with injuries to several key players taking their toll. Five points from a possible 15 has seen them slip to ninth although a two-goal win in the early kick-off would elevate them to fourth.

It is likely to be a tight game at Bramall Lane. United to win and both teams to score is at 3.85, while Billy Sharp is at 2.12 to score anytime.

Barnsley are unbeaten in three - although they conceded late equalisers against Stoke and Fulham – and are just two points off safety. Their sole away win came at Hull last month and the Reds are at 5.9 to win with a draw at 3.7. Carlton Morris sustained a calf injury during the win against Bristol City last time out but – if playing – he is an eye-catching 4.4 to score anytime.

Recommended bet: Sheffield United to win and both teams to score @ 3.85

Huddersfield Town vs Bournemouth

Saturday 19 March, 3pm

The Terriers went 17 league matches unbeaten before defeat at Millwall in midweek. They are three points adrift of the visitors who have three games in hand. Huddersfield need to respond immediately and they are at 2.94 to win with a draw at 3.3. Danny Ward is 2.68 to score anytime.

The Cherries are in the driving seat for second although their last three matches have been against three of the bottom four from which they took five points. They are at 2.54 to win and a draw with both teams to score is at 4.2. Dominic Solanke has scored two in two and is 2.68 for anytime scorer.

Recommended bet: Draw/both teams to score @ 4.2

Sheffield United's Billy Sharp will be looking to hit the target against Yorkshire rivals Barnsley to boost his side's playoff hopes

Reading vs Blackburn

Saturday 19 March, 3pm

The Royals are hovering two points above the drop zone and, although they drew at Bournemouth in midweek, it was their only point from four games. During that time they have conceded 10 and scored two. They are at 3.2 to claim their second straight draw and the same price to win.

Blackburn are fourth despite only winning two of their last 10, in which they scored four goals, three of them in midweek against Derby. Rovers to win/under 2.5 goals is at 5 and they are 3.45 to win to nil.   

Recommended bet: Blackburn/under 2.5 @ 5

Wigan vs Morecambe

Saturday 19 March, 3pm

The Latics are just four points behind League One leaders Rotherham with two games in hand. They have taken 10 points from a possible 12 and face a Morecambe side desperate for points in their battle for survival. Wigan to win to nil is 2.18 and to win with over 2.5 goals is at 2.3.

The Shrimpers are on a dreadful run of five points from 11 games, and 19-goal top scorer Cole Stockton has scored just one in eight. A draw is at 4.1.

Recommended bet: Wigan/over 2.5 goals @ 2.3

Newport vs Hartlepool

Friday 18 March, 7:45pm

Newport can move to within four points of League Two leaders Forest Green with victory over Hartlepool. They are unbeaten in seven and have won three on the bounce with just one goal conceded. They are at 2.72 to win to nil, and 2.84 to win with over 2.5 total goals.

Hartlepool, who are firmly ensconced in mid-table, have won three of their last four away games, all by one goal. They are at 4.8 for the win, with a draw at 3.4.  

Recommended bet: Newport over 2.5 @ 2.84

Recommended bets

Sheff Utd/BTTS @ 3.85

Huddersfield/Bournemouth draw/BTTS @ 4.2

Blackburn/under 2.5 @ 5

Wigan/over 2.5 @ 2.3

Newport/ over 2.5 @ 2.84