5 things to watch for in the EFL – Matchday 36

Another weekend of Football League action is upon us, with plenty of drama and a few shock scorelines expected along the way.

The tables are starting to take shape and we’ll find out a bit more about who’ll be in the play-off mix come May, while other teams are fighting to avoid the dreaded drop.

There are three Championship matches on live TV, which are all covered in our latest EFL preview.

Check out all the latest Football League betting at William Hill. 

Rovers winning run to continue?

The Championship action kicks off on Friday night as Stoke entertain Blackburn. The Potters will be full of confidence after their 5-1 victory at Sunderland – a result that nobody could have seen coming, not even Alex Neil.

Stoke have struggled for consistency this season, only winning consecutive league games once. But they did beat Blackburn 1-0 at Ewood Park in August and are now looking to complete their first league double over Rovers since the 2011/12 season.

The hosts are EVS to claim three points, as they look to climb further away from danger. Meanwhile, the draw is 9/4 – an outcome that’s happened in three of Blackburn’s last four away games.

Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side could climb to third with victory ahead of Boro’s visit to Swansea, and he’s seen his side win their last five in all comps, including at Premier League Leicester in the FA Cup. Get Rovers at 14/5 to extend their winning sequence.

We’ve got a range Enhanced Odds on this televised game, including either team to win 1-0 at 10/3 (was 11/4). That’s been a regular occurrence between the sides with four of the last five meetings finishing that way, with Stoke winning three of those.

Robins to add to Blackpool’s misery?

Relegation-threatened Blackpool travel to Bristol City at lunchtime on Saturday looking to close the gap on those sides above them in the Championship table.

Mick McCarthy’s side have only won once since late October (D7 L10) but will have been encouraged by holding leaders Burnley to a goalless draw last weekend. The Seasiders can also take note of their record against the Robins, who they are unbeaten in eight against (W3 D5).

The visitors are 3/1 to edge closer to safety, while it’s 12/5 that the points are shared – just like they were in August’s 3-3 draw at Bloomfield Road.

Nigel Pearson’s Bristol City have steadily gone about their business in recent weeks, climbing to 13th. They’re also unbeaten in their last five home league games (W3 D2), which explains their odds-on price.

Last time out at Ashton Gate, a 70th-minute penalty from Nahki Wells was good enough to give the Robins a 1-0 win over Hull. And you can get 5/1 Enhanced Odds on the striker bagging the first goal in front of the Sky cameras.

Canaries to continue to soar?

Norwich’s play-off charge under David Wagner continued last weekend with a hard-fought 3-2 win at Millwall. That made it four wins in the last five for the Canaries (D1), who sit sixth going into this round of fixtures.

Since Wagner came in, Norwich have been the entertainers with their expansive style of play. In their last six games, they’ve won four (D1 L1), scoring 11 goals – only Boro (17) have netted more. It’s 17/20 they record another victory, while it’s 2/1 the hosts win with three or more goals in the game.

Sunderland are six points behind their opponents, who occupy the final play-off spot. Tony Mowbray’s side have lost three on the spin following last week’s home humiliation to Stoke.

It’ll be a tough game to bounce back, but the Black Cats have won on their last two league visits to Carrow Road – 3-0 in 2016 in the top-flight and 3-1 in 2017. Fancy them to win again in East Anglia? We’ll pay out at 16/5.

With Norwich being a free-scoring side in recent weeks and Sunderland being the second highest scorers in away games in the Championship (28), does that point you towards the goal markets? Over 2.5 goals is EVS.

Tykes to trouble the Pilgrims?

Plymouth went level on points with Sheffield Wednesday at the top of League One on Tuesday with a 2-1 victory against Derby. But it’s advantage to the Owls, who have two games in hand.

Argyle showed plenty of spirit to mount a second-half comeback, which was capped with Ryan Hardie’s penalty. That victory made it just one defeat in their last six (W4 D1).

Earlier in the season, they dug deep to beat Barnsley 1-0 at Home Park. They’re now looking to complete a league double over the Tykes for the first time since 1991/92, something the Pilgrims are 5/2 to do.

But Barnsley are flying at present, winning seven of their last nine (D2) since a 2-0 defeat at Charlton in January. This run has seen four consecutive home wins, including 4-1 and 3-1 successes against Derby and Portsmouth. The Tykes are 21/20 to make it five-in-a-row at home.

Steven Schumacher’s side are the second-highest away goalscorers in the division (27), while five of Barnsley’s last six at Oakwell have seen over 2.5 goals. If you fancy three or more goals in Yorkshire, it’s 10/11.

Full steam ahead for the Orient express?

Leyton Orient look set to be League Two champions-elect. The O’s lead the way by 11 points and are unbeaten in their last seven league games (W4 D3).

Only Bradford (31) and Northampton (30) have picked up more points on the road than the league leaders. We make them 17/10 to pick up three more points, while a draw – something that’s happened in their last two games – is 21/10.

However, this will be a tough test with Mansfield winning four of their last five (L1). Last weekend, the Stags came from behind to AFC Wimbledon 3-1. They’re 6/4 to win again.

Nigel Clough’s side are the joint top-scoring side (29, with Stevenage) in home games in the division. Meanwhile, Davis Keillor-Dunn has found his shooting boots, scoring in his last three games. The midfielder is 6/1 to open the scoring or 3/1 to net anytime.

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