EFL Weekend Tips and Predictions: Best Bets Preview

Jack Wright is back on EFL duties here at bettingexpert with his weekend tips and predictions covering the three best leagues in the world. Pompey travels to Oxford in the Josh Murphy derby in the Championship, whilst Peterborough hope to flex their withering arm at an in-form Charlton. And also in League One, will Birmingham’s big money man prove the difference in the Midlands?

• Oxford vs Portsmouth Prediction: Oxford Win
• Stevenage vs Peterborough Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals
• Birmingham vs Charlton Prediction: Jay Stansfield Anytime

Oxford vs Portsmouth Prediction: U’s can inflict more away day blues for Pompey

England, Championship, Saturday, February 15th, 12:30 (UK) 

Our Oxford vs Portsmouth prediction is for Oxford to win the match 2-0.

Gary Rowett has masterminded a superb upturn in form since replacing Des Buckingham as Oxford manager a few days before Christmas. A nine game unbeaten run was ended following a narrow 1-0 defeat at promotion chasing Burnley but a hard fought point at Derby on Tuesday means the U’s still have a handy nine point cushion to the drop zone. 

Such was the immediate impact of Rowett he pocketed the Championship manager of the month award for January. The 50-year-old boss has his new side working hard and tough to beat with performances at the Kassam Stadium particularly impressive, picking up 13 points from a possible 15 since his appointment. 

They can add another three points here against a travel sick Portsmouth outfit who are the poster campaign for “Jekyll and Hyde” team. John Mousinho saw his men record a huge victory at Fratton Park on Tuesday – defeating relegation rivals Cardiff 2-1. 

That was a seventh win from their last 10 league games on home soil and it appears they are relying on home comforts to get them enough points to avoid an immediate return to League One. It is a different story on the road where they have collected just seven points from a possible 48 and only Luton have been beaten more than their 11 times. 

Defeat at Sheffield United last weekend, although expected, was an eighth in succession away from home across all competitions. A run which has seen them fail to score on five occasions.  

These two sides were both in League One last term and although Pompey won the title quite convincingly, while Oxford gained promotion via the play offs it is the latter that has settled to life in the higher tier better. Hero in that Wembley final Josh Murphy will be the visitors key threat and with the extra incentive to keep him quiet aided by a hostile reception from the home crowd the U’s can claim a massive win at a very attractive price.

• Oxford vs Portsmouth Prediction: Oxford to win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.50
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 7/10

Oxford possible starting lineup:
Cumming; Kioso,Helik, Brown, Leigh; Vaulks, Brannagan; Placheta, Matos, Dembele; Harris

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Schmid; Swanson, Shaughnessy, Atkinson, Ogilvie; Hayden, Dozzell;  Ritchie, Lang, Murphy; Bishop

Stevenage vs Peterborough Prediction: Going for Boro-ke – Revell in goalmouth action at the Lamex 

England, League One, Saturday, February 15th, 15:00 (UK) 

Our Stevenage vs Peterborough prediction is for Stevenage to win the match 2-1.

A purple patch of four successive Stevenage wins across all competitions has been well and truly halted as a 3-1 defeat to Crawley on Tuesday made it three straight defeats. Manager Alex Revell was furious at what he described as an “unacceptable performance”. 

That was music to my ears with a public rebuke having one of two outcomes. Boro’s boss will be looking for a positive, sleeves rolled up reaction but the alternative is an aggrieved set of players downing tools. Either way, goals look like a great play at Lamex Stadium this weekend. 

For their part Peterborough, so often play-off challengers at this level continued their unexpected flirtation with the relegation zone by losing a 10th away league game in their last 11 after a 2-1 defeat at Charlton. To compound matters, highly rated defender Emmanuel Fernandez was shown a straight red card following a reckless challenge and will be absent here. 

One thing Posh games always seem to guarantee at this level is goals and that has not changed during the current campaign. Twelve of their 14 League One road games this term have clicked for over 2.5 goals backers.

The goals have also flowed in recent Stevenage home games, with all the last five seeing the ball hit the back of the net at least three times. Both meetings between these two sides last season saw four goals with the reverse fixture in October ending 2-1 to Peterborough. 

• Stevenage vs Peterborough Prediction: Over 2.5 goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 10/10

Stevenage possible starting lineup:
Cooper; Smith, Sweeney, Piergianni, Freestone; Phillips, Thompson; Roberts, Kemp, Reid; Hanlan

Peterborough possible starting lineup:
Steer, Johnston, Wallin, Hughes, Edun; Kyprianou, Collins; Odoh, Susoho, Jones; Lindgren

Birmingham vs Charlton Prediction: This Is The Right Time for Stansfield to justify price tag

England, League One, Saturday, February 15th, 15:00 (UK) 

Our Birmingham vs Charlton prediction is for Birmingham to win the match 2-1.

Birmingham extended their lead at the top of League One to seven points as they recorded their biggest win of the season in sweeping aside Cambridge 4-0 at St Andrew’s on Tuesday night. Firms now go as low as 1.01 for the Blues to lift the title – which is essentially saying it is only a matter of when not if they are crowned champions. 

Chris Davies’ men were installed as hot favourites before a ball was kicked this term largely in part to their incredible spending power at this level. The signing of Jay Stansfield for a fee reported to be worth up to £20m particularly raised eyebrows.

The 22-year-old was on loan to the club from Fulham last season, hit 13 goals in 37 appearances and was named player of the season. That record breaking fee appeared not to weigh heavy on his shoulders however, as he plundered 14 goals in his first 18 appearances after making the permanent move. 

After a five game drought and three game injury absence, Stansfield is back amongst the goals hitting four in his last four appearances including the opener on Tuesday night. That effort puts him on 15 league goals for the season, just one behind Wycombe’s Richard Kone at the top of the scoring charts.

Of several new additions to an already talented squad, Kieran Dowell joining Blues on loan from Rangers for the remainder of the season really catches the eye. Having impressed at championship level for Norwich and Derby the 27-year-old is a cut above this level but while fit will be a regular supply line to Stansfield. 

Charlton visit the second city boasting a six game unbeaten run which has seen them burst into the play-off places but will have to be at their best to leave with a positive result this Saturday. Given his talent, goalscoring record and creativity around him it is a surprise to see Birmingham’s talisman at odds against to score in a league game regardless of opposition. Therefore the 2.40 on offer this weekend has to be snapped up.

• Birmingham vs Charlton Prediction: Jay Stansfield to score (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.40
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 8/10

Birmingham possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Laird, Hanley, Davies, Cochrane; Iwata, Paik; Dowell, Willumsson, Anderson; Stansfield

Charlton possible starting lineup:
Maynard-Brewer; Ramsey, Jones, Gillesphey, Small; Coventry, Docherty; Edwards, Berry, Campbell; Godden. 

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