Free football betting tips and odds: Sky Bet EFL preview
Nick Hext's weekend Sky Bet EFL preview includes selections for Sunday's two matches live on Sky Sports.
Sunday's opening TV game
Sunday's opening live match for Sky Sports viewers is important at both ends of the Sky Bet League Two table. Chesterfield sit six points away from safety in the relegation zone and Notts County are battling it out in the congested race for an automatic promotion place. I'm predicting a close contest despite the differing ambitions of the two clubs and I reckon goals will be on the menu at the Proact Stadium. Both teams have scored in five of Chesterfield's last six matches and all of County's previous three outings have seen a winner in the BTTS market. Expect entertainment with the pressure heaped on the loser of this match.
Sunday's second TV game
Odds-on favourites Portsmouth don't make appeal at home to Oxford on the back of a seven-match winless run at Fratton Park. Pompey still have aspirations of promotion but their bid to get out of Sky Bet League One has been severely dented by the troubles on their own turf. Oxford will be ecstatic to confirm their place in League One for next season after tumbling down the table in 2018. The U's claimed an important win last time out against play-off contenders Peterborough and odds-against for anything other than a Portsmouth victory in the Double Chance betting is worth a look. I favour the draw but get a win for Oxford on your side too at an appealing price in Sunday's second live Sky Sports offering.
Saturday evening's TV game
Luton to beat Barnet by one goal, Sky Bet League Two (Saturday, 1715 GMT, Sky Sports Main Event)
Barnet are bottom of Sky Bet League Two so the call has gone in for Martin Allen to take charge of the Bees for the fifth time. That's right, the fifth time. Allen has previously started his reigns as Barnet boss in 2003, 2011, 2012 and 2014 so the pressure is on to see how the 2018 vintage gets on. It doesn't get much tougher than a trip to second-placed Luton but the Hatters are enduring a tough time of their own. Nathan Jones' side have lost top spot to Accrington after a five-match winless run, although they still have a decent advantage in the automatic promotion places. Any kind of win will do the job for Luton and I reckon they will secure a much-needed three points. Three of the last four victories for the Hatters have arrived by one goal so get with a narrow success for the hosts in front of the Sky Sports cameras at Kenilworth Road.
Saturday afternoon's Sky Bet League One selection
Plymouth to beat Charlton, Sky Bet League One (Saturday, 1500 GMT)
Plymouth are a cracking bet at over 2/1 to win on the road at Charlton on Saturday afternoon. Argyle are back in the play-offs on the back of a sensational run of form. Derek Adams' side have won 12, drawn four and lost just one of their previous 17 outings to move away from relegation trouble and into promotion contention. Charlton are five points behind Plymouth in the play-off race but the momentum isn't with the Addicks. The Valley outfit have only won one of their previous eight games so it simply has to be Plymouth for a three-point haul at the prices available.
Saturday afternoon's Sky Bet League Two selection
Wycombe to beat Port Vale, Sky Bet League Two (Saturday, 1500 GMT)
Wycombe are out to end a three-match wait for a home win when they take on Port Vale and I fancy them to do just that. The Chairboys are only outside of the Sky Bet League automatic promotion places on goal difference so just avoiding defeat will take them back into the top-three, third-placed Notts County have to wait until Sunday to take on Chesterfield. Wycombe are a resolute side and they will have more than enough for Vale, who are on a worrying 13-match winless run, starting back on the first day if 2018. Vale should still avoid the threat of back-to-back relegations but defeat at Adams Park will only enhance their worries.
Recommended bet
2pts Plymouth to beat Charlton at 12/5
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Posted at 1710 GMT on 21/03/17.
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