League One

League 1 Predictions: Bluebirds Stutter Again As Imps Pull Clear

7 hours ago

| BY Tony Incenzo

WE have new EFL League One leaders heading into another round of midweek combat.

A truncated programme looms but there is still plenty of important action. Both of the top two sides face tricky looking away trips. And scheduled games will also affect Play-Offs and relegation issues. Accordingly, League One betting is proving very popular.

These are the upcoming pairings alongside considered score predictions to assist your football betting…

Barnsley v Cardiff City

Kick-off: 7.45pm
Rankings: 12th versus 2nd

Barnsley preview – Three maximum pointers inside five EFL affairs. Veteran 38 year old striker David McGoldrick has impressively registered 11 goals over his last 11 Barnsley appearances.

Cardiff City preview – Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Lincoln City knocked Cardiff off pole position ending 105 days at the summit. They’ve lost two of their past three EFL matches and now sit two points under top spot. The Bluebirds remain divisional foremost scorers amassing 68 goals.

Score prediction: Barnsley edge a thriller 4-3 thanks to McGoldrick’s impudent hat-trick.

Exeter City v Lincoln City

Kick-off: 7.45pm
Rankings: 15th versus 1st

Exeter City preview – Six points above relegation peril nursing nine winless EFL matches including six draws. New manager Matt Taylor seeks his initial victory having returned to the club last Tuesday.

Lincoln City preview – The aforementioned 2-0 triumph at Cardiff City ascended the upwardly mobile Imps to first place establishing a two point cushion.

They boast 14 wins during 18 unconquered EFL contests dating to 22nd November. Additionally, no goals conceded in four ongoing fixtures whilst scoring 12 times. Lincoln City haven’t graced English football’s second tier beyond 1960/61.

Score prediction: Imps march onwards 3-0.

Mansfield Town v Reading

Kick-off: 7.45pm
Rankings: 16th versus 7th

Mansfield Town preview – Fresh from Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat against Premier League big boys Arsenal on Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round duties. In the League, Mansfield hover five points above the dreaded dotted relegation line following nine EFL games lacking wins.

Reading preview – One point behind Play-Off discussions. The Royals protect six League games unbeaten culminating with Saturday’s exciting 3-2 success at Luton Town where striker Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan netted a hat-trick.

Score prediction: Royals rock on 2-1.

Stevenage v Leyton Orient

Kick-off: 7.45pm
Rankings: 8th versus 21st

Stevenage preview – Four wins across five EFL encounters. Therefore one point below Play-Off contention. Boro’s solitary home League defeat this season was 1-0 against Cardiff City on Tuesday 9th December.

Leyton Orient preview – Two points short of survival. Orient have mustered one victory within eight League engagements.

Score prediction: Stevie wonders 4-1.