English Football League Betting Tips: Club football returns with a bang

After weeks of transfer rumours, forgettable preseason fixtures and predictions for the 2023/24 season, the time has finally come for the English Football League to return.

Last season ended with drama across the board, the EFL play-offs bringing things to a close with Josh Windass’ last-gasp diving header for Sheffield Wednesday against Barnsley rounding things off with the final significant touch of the season.

Weeks have passed by since then, managers have moved on, players have moved on, and clubs have worked hard to recruit players that can help them achieve their goals in the season ahead.

Leicester City v Coventry City

Kick off: 12pm Sunday

On the face of it, Leicester are fully expected to not only be challenging for an immediate return to the Premier League come the end of this season, but to be pushing for the league title in May. They’re at 1.59 to come out on top in this one. 

Coventry did a brilliant job reaching the play-offs last time out and have brought in some solid new signings over the summer, however the loss of Viktor Gyökeres cannot be understated. 

Nigerian international, Kelechi Iheanacho, is expected to lead the line, and given his top-flight experience there are plenty backing him to excel in the second tier – you can find him at 2.14 as anytime goalscorer in his side’s opening fixture, while Jamie Vardy is at 2.34.

Form guides are barely worth looking at at this stage, with preseason often just used for experimental purposes, but with seven goals – including two from Ellis Simms – in their last two games the Sky Blues will be in high spirits. They’ve scored in 11 of their last 13 games competitive or otherwise.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.92

Portsmouth v Bristol Rovers

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

Pompey have had an incredibly busy transfer window after last season’s disappointing campaign, and there are much higher expectations this time around after Plymouth Argyle, Ipswich Town and Wednesday left the division.

They’re favourites (at 1.96) for victory on the opening day against Rovers, but with Joey Barton’s side having made it difficult for a lot of teams last season The Gas certainly can’t be ruled out.

Exciting things are expected from Christian Saydee, and at 2.74 he’s seen as the most likely new addition to find the back of the net in this one.

Prediction: Portsmouth to win @ 1.96

Wrexham v Milton Keynes Dons

Kick off - 3pm Saturday

It’s not often you’ll see a recently-promoted side face a recently-relegated side and have the former as the favourite for victory, but that’s certainly the case as Wrexham’s return to the Football League gets underway.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s baby begin their League Two campaign on home soil against an MK Dons side that had a nightmare of a time in 2022/23, and even without the injured Paul Mullin find themselves at 1.71 to win compared to 5.6 for the hosts.

The Dons have had a tough preseason to follow their tough league campaign, and with The Red Dragons often scoring goals for fun there is a feeling that this one has goals in it.

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.82