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Horse Racing Midweek Championship Acca Tips: 25th January 2022
We’ve got a whole card of Championship acca tips for this midweek. Six matches are scheduled to take place in England’s second tier this midweek and we’ve got best bets for half of them. That includes an interesting clash between play-off chasers Nottingham Forest and strugglers Barnsley. We’ll also have acca tips for a couple of matches in League One and League Two. We’ve put them all together into an EFL acca. There are tips for the following matches in this article:
- Birmingham vs Peterborough
- Coventry vs Stoke
- Nottingham Forest vs Barnsley
- AFC Wimbledon vs Ipswich
- Leyton Orient vs Newport
For the full list of EFL best bets click here.
bettingexpert News Championship Acca Tips: January 22nd
| Match | Selection | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham vs Peterborough | Birmingham to Win | 1.85 |
| Coventry vs Stoke | Yes on BTTS | 1.83 |
| Nottingham Forest vs Barnsley | Forest to Win | 1.63 |
| AFC Wimbledon vs Ipswich | Ipswich to Win | 2.20 |
| Leyton Orient vs Newport | Orient to Keep a Clean Sheet | 3.00 |
| Total Acca Odds: | 36.16 |
Odds correct from bet365 as at 22:00 January 20th 2022 Odds may now differ.
Selection 1: Birmingham vs Peterborough Best Bet
The billing
Peterborough Director of Football Barry Fry will get a great reception at St Andrews, being revered for having led Birmingham to a league and cup double in 1994-95, but it’s points rather than pleasantries on the agenda for Lee Bowyer’s side.
Hosts’ form
Saturday’s 2-1 victory over strugglers Barnsley was a huge relief for Blues, who had won just one in 10 league games beforehand. Wide man Onel Hernandez enjoyed an outstanding home debut, bringing the kind of pace and trickery that the B9 outfit had missed in the absence of Tahith Chong.
Teden Mengi, meanwhile, brought much-needed athleticism to the defence, proving an astute replacement for Dion Sanderson.
Visitors’ form
After a 3-0 loss at West Brom, Peterborough could point to the fact they had been level in that match with 13 minutes to play, but that would be misleading.
Darren Ferguson’s troops took just one shot all game, in contrast with 27 for their hosts, and the defeat leaves the Posh with 12 defeats from 13 league outings.
The Tactics Board
Bowyer has been set on the wing-back system for much of the season, but recent weeks have shown Birmingham to perform better with a flat back-four, with the shift paying dividends last time out.
There may be something to be gained from bringing winger Jeremie Bela in for midfielder Gary Gardner as an attacking shift, in order to exploit the wide areas.
“Fergie Jr” has recently deployed Mark Beevers on the left of the back-three due to being the only senior left-footed defender at the club, but the by-product is having a slow veteran vulnerable to getting caught in footraces in the channel when Harrison Burrows gets caught too high up.
Blues can exploit that by shifting Hernandez from the left-sided role he played against Barnsley to the right, while Bela has acquired a certain amount of the discipline required to hold the shape out wide in a 4-4-2, having played much of this season as a left wing-back.
Prediction & Best Bet
If Birmingham can exploit Peterborough’s vulnerabilities, they should alleviate their relegation fears by completing back-to-back victories, justifying 1.85 quotes in the process.
More Birmingham vs Peterborough Tips
Selection 2: Coventry City vs Stoke Best Bet
The billing
Coventry beat Stoke 2-1 in the Third Round of the FA Cup in 2017-18, thanks to Jack Grimmer’s late goal: back then, it was a huge upset with three divisions between these sides. Now, only a rizla paper separates these two Championship Play-Off chasers…
Hosts’ form
Coventry have found the net in six of their last seven games, so perhaps it is almost a compliment to them that finishing is considered an area to improve upon, as was evident in the 2-1 loss to QPR last time out.
Mark Robins’ side had 21 shots, including 12 from inside the penalty area but – baring Jordan Shipley’s equalizer – were unable to make that pressure tell.
Visitors’ form
There is no shame in losing 3-2 to Fulham, especially given the goalscoring form of the leaders, but defeat leaves Michael O’Neill’s side needing approximately 36 points from 20 league games to finish in the Play-Offs.
The signings of defensive talent Taylor Harwood-Bellis, organiser Phil Jagielka and midfielder Lewis Baker – who brings an assured presence as well as being equally adept on either foot – suggests the Potters are not content to settle for midtable.
The Tactics Board
Robins has recently operated with a 3-4-2-1, with terrier Jamie Allen and energetic presser Callum O’Hare asked to force the opposition out wide as much as possible in their early build-up play.
Jagielka and James Chester could struggle to adjust to this kind of intensity, so Stoke may lean heavily on right centre-back Harwood-Bellis – on loan from Man City – and his ability to release Di’Margio Wright-Phillips with an early ball down the line.
Coventry can cause problems for Stoke with an intense pressing game, but the visitors have means of bypassing the press and hurting them in behind.
Prediction & Best Bet
This could be a high-scoring encounter and a draw will not do either side much good in their bid for a Play-Off spot, so 1.83 on Both Teams To Score looks the value play.
Selection 3: Nottingham Forest vs Barnsley Best Bet
The billing
On the penultimate day of 2019-20, Patrick Schmidt got an injury-time goal that contributed to Barnsley’s unlikely survival story as well as Forest’s embarrassing fall out of the Play-Offs. These clubs may experience different fates this time around…
Hosts’ form
After some positive early January business, bringing in Steve Cook, Ritchie Laryea and Keinan Davis, the Reds have responded to back-to-back defeats with successive victories.
The bad news for Steve Cooper’s side is that the standards required to reach the Play-Offs look higher than they were two months ago, due to the form of Blackburn, QPR, Huddersfield and Middlesbrough.
Four points off sixth with a game in hand, though, the Trentsiders are well in the mix.
Visitors’ form
Bare statistics would say Barnsley are projected to be one of the worst second-tier sides of all time, similar to 2014-15 Blackpool or 2016-17 Rotherham.
The eye test might suggest this Tarn outfit has more talent than those teams and would look better with a vocal leader in defence and a battler in midfield, but that is hardly a glowing reference for the South Yorkshire outfit.
The Tactics Board
If Cooper switches from 3-4-3 to a 4-2-3-1 as an attacking shift for weaker opposition, then there is a chance Barnsley might be able to catch right-back Djed Spence high up the pitch, before releasing grafter Carlton Morris into a one-on-one duel with veteran Cook on the left flank.
That, though, is just one way in which the beleaguered visitors can hurt there hosts, and there are countless ways in which Forest can do damage to the worst side in the Championship.
Plus, Cooper has proved himself to be one of the Championship’s most astute coaches when it comes to in-game management, so even if Barnsley can hold out initially, their hosts will find ways to crank up the heat.
Prediction & Best Bet
Forest are 1.62 to secure a third consecutive league win and inflict on Barnsley a 16th Championship defeat in the process. Obvious? Perhaps, but any other outcome is hard to envisage.
More Nottingham Forest vs Barnsley Tips
Selection 4: AFC Wimbledon vs Ipswich Best Bet
The billing
Wimbledon need a striker, after selling Ollie Palmer to Wrexham for £350K. Visitors Ipswich happen to have seven of them, including out-of-favour former Don Joe Pigott, so Tuesday’s encounter between the two clubs may occur in the boardroom as well as on the field.
Hosts’ form
With just one goal in their last five league games, the obvious conclusion would be that the Wombles require a finisher up top.
While this would undoubtedly help, Mark Robinson should have much belief in attacking midfielders Jack Rudoni, Ayoub Assal and Luke McCormick, so the key will be finding a front-man who can bring the best out of that trio.
With a youthful squad, replacing Palmer’s experience and leadership qualities would be prudent, too.
Visitors’ form
Ipswich have won three of their four games under Kieran McKenna, prompting hope that 2022 holds a late Play-Off push.
Town needed to show great resilience to beat Accrington Stanley 2-1, coming from behind for three points, a feat rarely achieved under Paul Lambert or Paul Cook – and perhaps going back even further.
Should Oxford or any other prime Play-Off candidate drop off, the Tractor Boys look well placed to strike.
The Tactics Board
Ipswich are likely to dominate possession at New Plough Lane, so Wimbledon must balance the need to handle that pressure with the need to make sure that when they do turn the ball over, they are still able to quickly get the likes of McCormick and Rudoni combining in the final third.
Ipswich are difficult to stop on current form, though, especially if delicate attacking midfielder Bersant Celina brings his A-game.
Prediction & Best Bet
Ipswich might be odds-on favourites for this type of match in a month’s time, when they have conclusively shown their mettle under McKenna. This is a great opportunity to back them at odds-against quotes, therefore, with the Town win available at 2.20.
More AFC Wimbledon vs Ipswich Tips
Selection 5: Leyton Orient vs Newport Best Bet
The billing
A fit, steady and reliable outfit that do the simple things well, up against a more unpredictable, explosive side with potential threats all over the pitch.
Hosts’ form
Saturday’s goalless draw with Port Vale means Leyton Orient have lost just five games all season, with only leaders Forest Green being defeated in fewer.
The regret for Kenny Jackett’s side, therefore, is that they have secured a paltry seven league victories – half the number of second-placed Tranmere – and the East Londoners must start recording victories if they are to enter the promotion mix.
Visitors’ form
Newport are arguably League Two’s most exciting side, with James Rowburry deploying two strikers in Dom Telford and Courtney Baker-Richardson who complement one another, attacking full-backs in Cameron Norman and Ryan Haynes, as well as a midfield jam-packed with creative outlets including Oli Cooper and Finn Azaz.
After successive victories over Harrogate and Scunthorpe respectively, the Exiles have their eyes set firmly on the automatic promotion spots.
The Tactics Board
Newport have the wow factor, but this could be a game in which managerial experience tells.
Jackett’s 3-4-3 will manifest itself as essentially one tight block of seven tasked with stopping County’s midfield diamond from rotating and interchanging centrally, then runners Paul Smyth and Drinan taking up advanced wide positions to deter Norman and Haynes from giving the visitors the width they need.
On turnovers, Orient will play into target man Harry Smith very early, which will be the trigger for Smyth and Drinan to charge inside and forge a trio that can cut Newport open.
Prediction & Best Bet
Orient have conceded just 13 goals in 13 league encounters with top half opposition this term, which shows Jackett knows how to quell the threats posed by the division’s better sides. An O’s clean sheet, therefore, looks appealing value at 3.0.
More Leyton Orient vs Newport Tips
bettingexpert News EFL Best Bets: January 25th
| MATCHES | COMPETITION | DATE/TIME (UK) | SELECTION | ODDS | STAKES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham vs Peterborough | Championship | Tue, 25th Jan, 19:45 | Birmingham to Win | 1.85 | 9/10 |
| Coventry vs Stoke | Championship | Tue, 25th Jan, 19:45 | Yes on BTTS | 1.83 | 7/10 |
| Nottingham Forest vs Barnsley | Championship | Tue, 25th Jan, 19:45 | Forest to Win | 1.63 | 9/10 |
| AFC Wimbledon vs Ipswich | League One | Tue, 25th Jan, 19:45 | Ipswich to Win | 2.20 | 6/10 |
| Leyton Orient vs Newport | League Two | Tue, 25th Jan, 19:45 | Orient Clean Sheet | 3.00 | 5/10 |
Odds from bet365 as at 22:00 on 24th January 2022. Odds may now differ
Last Week’s Results for bettingexpert News EFL Best Bets: January 22nd
It was a good week of best bets from the bettingexpert News resident EFL expert, Gabriel Sutton. There was a total profit of +12.11 betting units across our set of EFL acca tips.
| MATCHES | SELECTION | ODDS | STAKES | result | profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham vs Barnsley | Birmingham to win | 1.80 | 6/10 | WON | 4.80 |
| Coventry vs QPR | Both Teams To Score | 1.73 | 7/10 | WON | 5.11 |
| Stoke vs Fulham | Over 2.5 goals | 2.10 | 10/10 | WON | 11.00 |
| Swansea vs Preston | North End to win | 3.50 | 8/10 | LOSS | -8 |
| West Brom vs Peterborough | West Brom to win | 1.36 | 5/10 | WON | 1.80 |
| Burton vs Wimbledon | Wimbledon to win | 2.60 | 7/10 | LOSS | -7 |
| Cambridge vs Crewe | Crewe to win | 4.00 | 6/10 | LOSS | -6 |
| Morecambe vs Wycombe | Wycombe to win | 1.85 | 7/10 | LOSS | -7 |
| Sunderland vs Portsmouth | Portsmouth to win | 4.30 | 5/10 | LOSS | -5 |
| Leyton Orient vs Port Vale | Orient to win | 2.20 | 6/10 | LOSS | -6 |
| Salford vs Colchester | Salford to win | 1.73 | 8/10 | LOSS | -8 |
| Sutton vs Northampton | Northampton to win | 3.10 | 9/10 | LOSS | 18.90 |
| Walsall vs Exeter | Exeter to win | 2.75 | 10/10 | WIN | 17.50 |
Best odds were available as at 12:00 on 20th January 2022.
What is an EFL Acca?
An EFL Acca is a type of betting that involves combining several selections across different matches with one single stake. An acca or accumulator usually has at least four selections but it can include many many more. An EFL acca is one such bet that only involves matches from the EFL or English Football League, the second to the fourth tiers of English football. The benefits of an EFL acca are that the odds can be massive with a very small stake as the odds for all selections are multiplied together. Every pick needs to win or your EFL acca will lose.
