English Football League Betting Tips: Front runners, point-chasers and early strugglers

We’re well and truly back into the full flow of the English Football League and after only a couple of games have been played by each team there’s been plenty of drama.

Controversial dismissals, great strikes and come-from-behind victories have set the tone for what should be another fun-filled EFL campaign, and heading into this weekend there are some exciting match-ups on the cards.

Football expert, Joe Crann, has picked three standouts for you to consider in your accumulator as the English pyramid flexes its muscles once again.

Plymouth Argyle vs Southampton

Kick-off: 12.30pm Saturday

Two divisions separated these two sides last season, but heading into matchday three in 2023/24 there are now just two places, with Plymouth sitting above Southampton on goal difference following their promising start to the campaign.

Steven Schumacher’s League One-winning outfit are at 3.95 to win this one at Home Park, but with 26 of their last 29 home games seeing them come out on top the Pilgrims are certainly not to be counted out – especially with the Saints still in a bit of a state of flux given more potential outgoings.

Plymouth have only failed to scored in four home games across all competitions since the start of the 2022/23 season, which is why a Southampton win to nil is at 3.65 for this one. No team in the league has scored more than Russell Martin’s in the opening two games, though.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.7

Bolton Wanderers vs Wigan Athletic

Kick-off: 12.30pm Saturday

It’s top v bottom in the third tier for this one, but in terms of results Bolton and Wigan aren’t too far away from each other. The Trotters have started 2023/24 like a house on fire with three wins and nine goals, the Latics with six points and five goals.

The latter are points-chasing though following a hefty deduction that even now sees them on -1, and they’ll be desperate to get back into the black this weekend when they make the trip to the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Victor Adeboyejo is at 2.2 as anytime goalscorer having bagged four in three games, while Charlie Wyke – with three in three – is at 3.2. Ian Evatt’s side are heavy favourites for victory in this one (1.8), and it feels like there are goals in this with Bolton having scored 2+ in five of their last 10 at home matches, and five of Wigan’s last six league games ending with both teams on the scoresheet.

Prediction: Bolton to win and over 1.5 goals @ 2.12

Doncaster Rovers vs Notts County

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

Rovers have had the most inconsistent of starts this season, losing to Harrogate Town and getting hammered 4-0 by Newport County, but also drawing 2-2 with Mansfield Town and beating Championship outfit Hull City in the Carabao Cup.

Luke Williams’ County, meanwhile, appear to be finding their feet a bit following their promotion last time out and picked up a very respectable point away at Morecambe in their most recent game to build on the 3-2 win over Grimsby Town. At 1.93 they’re favourites for this one.

With one win in their last 10 at home, Grant McCann’s side have been far from glittering at the Eco-Power Stadium, but there have been over 1.5 goals in seven of them.

Prediction: Notts County to win and over 1.5 goals @ 2.1

Recommended Bets:

Plymouth Argyle vs Southampton - Both teams to score @ 1.7
Bolton Wanderers vs Wigan Athletic - Bolton Wanderers to win and over 1.5 goals @ 2.12
Doncaster Rovers vs Notts County - Notts County to win and over 1.5 goals @ 2.1