EFL Friday Tips and Predictions: Best Bets Preview

Jack Wright returns for another instalment of his weekly EFL duties here at bettingexpert with weekend tips and predictions covering the three best leagues in the world. Easter weekend means two games in three days for each of the EFL clubs, maximum points could mean dreams come true, two defeats may spell disaster.

On Good Friday two sides who may complete the Championship season at Wembley face each other as Bristol City welcome Sunderland to Ashton Gate. In League One Reading look to continue their good work on the pitch while chaos continues off it, with Lincoln providing the opposition. While in League Two Carlisle vs Port Vale is (nearly) bottom vs (actual) top, a massive game for both ends of the table.

• Bristol City vs Sunderland Prediction: Bristol City to win
• Reading vs Lincoln Prediction: Reading to win
• Carlisle vs Port Vale Prediction: Port Vale to win

Bristol City vs Sunderland Prediction: Black Cats out of luck as Robins fly high

England, Championship, Friday, April 18th, 15:00 (UK)

Our Bristol City vs Sunderland prediction is for Bristol City to win the match 2-0.

Bristol City have made a late burst into the play-off places on the back of suffering just one defeat in their last 12 league games. At the weekend they picked up what could be a crucial point in a come from behind 1-1 draw at QPR. Interestingly, our in-house data projection model, BETSiE, has projected Bristol City to clinch a much-desired playoff spot by the time the music stops in May.

The Robins lost Mark Sykes in the warm-up at Loftus Road and Championship ever-present goalkeeper Max O’Leary injured his ankle during his pre-match routine. So, although they never reached the heights of recent performances given the circumstances, returning from London with a point would definitely be seen as one gained rather than two lost.

That also means Liam Manning’s men hold a four-point advantage to West Brom, Middlesbrough and Millwall, the three sides all on 60 points and occupying the places immediately outside of the play-offs. Although that does provide an element of wiggle room it is clear once again the race for the top six in the second tier will go down to the wire.

Win your home games!

Winning your home games becomes ever more crucial and despite taking on the side immediately above them in the table would suggest a tough assignment, this may represent a good time to face Sunderland. The Black Cats booked their play off spot with a goalless draw at Norwich two games ago and subsequently fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Swansea last weekend.

Regis Le Bris heavily rotated for that game at Carrow Road and said post match that their position gave him the opportunity to manage the squad and provide those on the fringes the chance to show what they could do. He went on to say how important freshness was at this stage of the campaign and how that would be on his mind across the final fixtures of the regular season.

Le Bris was true to his word as he handed a first Championship start to teenager Harrison Jones against the Swans, one of three changes in total. What followed was a fairly disjointed performance with few clear cut chances created.

The hosts can take advantage and extend their excellent run of form at home which has seen them pick up maximum points in five of their last six outings at Ashton Gate and take some pressure off their next two fixtures. Easter Monday sees a trip to a Luton side fighting for their Championship lives, followed by a visit to current league leaders Leeds before the season finale at home to Preston.

• Bristol City vs Sunderland Prediction: Bristol City to win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.25
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 10/10

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O’Leary; Vyner, Dickie, Pring; Sykes, Knight, Williams, McCorie; Bird, Earthy; Wells

Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Hjelde, Mepham, O’Nien, Hume; Browne, Neil; Roberts, Rigg, Le Fee; Isidor

Reading vs Lincoln Prediction: Imp-ressive Royals to remain in play-off Hunt

England, League One, Saturday, April 18th, 15:00 (UK)

Our Reading vs Lincoln prediction is for Reading to win the match 1-0.

While Reading fans continue to live a footballing nightmare off the pitch their team are giving them plenty of reasons to be cheerful on it. The EFL have set a deadline of April 22nd for a deal to be done with new owners and while talks are allegedly ongoing those with an affinity to the club continue to hold their breath.

All of which makes the job Noel Hunt is doing the more incredible following the departure of fan favourite Ruben Selles who left the club to take over at Hull on December 6th. After a shaky start which saw three wins and five defeats immediately after the Spaniards exit the Royals have only lost one of their subsequent 15 League One fixtures.

They were sixth when Selles left and go into the Easter weekend holding the same position. Much of the reason for that is a strong home record where they are unbeaten in nine games, winning three of the last four including defeats of promotion chasing Wycombe and Wrexham.

Goalkeeper Joel Pereira has only conceded twice in the last six games at the SCL Stadium including a shutout against champions Birmingham. Only Wrexham and Blues have picked up more home points than the side from Berkshire illustrating what a tough prospect they are on home soil.

On the beach-y

Visitors Lincoln will already be looking towards preparation for next season as they sit 12th in the table, 14 points off the play offs and 13 clear of the relegation zone with four games left to play. Michael Skubala is another manager who has stated he will be giving “different players the chance to showcase what they can do” over the remainder of the campaign.

The Imps recent 2-2 draw at Charlton was decent but last weekend’s stalemate with rock-bottom Shrewsbury would definitely come under the heading of disappointing. The end of season vibes were evident and coming up against a side with all to play for both on and off the pitch could be too much of a challenge.

All things considered, seeing the Royals priced up at odds against was something of a surprise and siding with them at such a price looks very appealing.

• Reading vs Lincoln Prediction: Reading to win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.25
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 10/10

Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Rushesha, Mbengue, Bindon, Abrefa; Knibbs, Wing, Savage; Ehibhatiomhan, Wareham, Campbell.

Lincoln possible starting lineup:
Wickens; Darikwa, Montsma, Jackson, Roughan; McGrandles, Bayliss; Ring, Hackett, Gardner; Collins.

The Football Betting Podcast Is Out NOW!

Sam Ingram, Scott Thornton, Daniele Fisichella, Daniel Jenkins, and of course, BETSiE, returns for the weekly instalment of the Football Betting Podcast, powered by bettingexpert.

The Football Betting Podcast can be consumed on any of the three links below:

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Carlisle vs Port Vale Prediction: Vale force wins predicted as visitors collect Moore points towards title charge

England, League Two, Saturday, April 18th, 15:00 (UK)

Our Carlisle vs Port Vale prediction is for Port Vale to win the match 1-3.

Many a shrewd judge were talking up Port Vale’s promotion prospects pre-season but after an inauspicious start to March they may have been getting a little concerned. Draws with strugglers Tranmere, Harrogate and Fleetwood were followed by defeat to an in-form Colchester side but since then a return of six wins from seven sees them top the table with four games remaining.

That run includes winning all of their last four fixtures with a 5-0 thumping of Bromley last time out a real highlight and signal of intent. There still remains only a four point gap to fourth so Darren Moore will ensure there is no let up from his charges.

The former Sheffield Wednesday manager is more than a safe pair of hands at this level and guided the Owls to League One play-off final success in 2023. He looks to have timed his run to the summit just right with many rivals struggling – of the top seven his side were the only winners last weekend with fourth placed Doncaster also dropping points on Tuesday night.

Scrapping for survival

The Valiants travel to a Carlisle side fighting for their EFL lives, with successive wins over Newport and Morecambe keeping hopes of the great escape flickering. County have lost eight of their last 11 league games while defeat for Derek Adams’ men last weekend meant they replaced the Cumbrians at the foot of the table.

This represents a massive step up in class for Mark Hughes and his men. United have the lowest points return from home games across the whole division while only Doncaster can top Vale’s total of 34 points won on the road.

With the wind in their sails and the whiff of promotion filling the air Moore will be laser focussed on following up what he described after the Bromley victory as “almost a perfect day” with another win. Especially against a side that has been at the bottom of the league throughout the campaign.

• Carlisle vs Port Vale Prediction: Port Vale to win
• Best Odds: 2.10
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 10/10

Carlisle possible starting lineup:
Breeze; Ellis, Hayden, Thomas, Harper; Vela, Whelan, Wearne; Dennis, Kelly, Harris.

Port Vale possible starting lineup:
Amos; Debrah, Smith, Hall; Walters; Shorrock, Croasdale, Byers, Clark; Tolaj, Stockley

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