EFL Betting Tips: Three solid selections for Saturday's football
The English Football League's penultimate weekend is upon us, with plenty of teams across the three divisions still locked in for title, promotion, play-off and relegation battles.
Odds Now tipster Matt Hill takes a look at this Saturday's slate and singles out three selections that take his eye for a wager, which can be combined for a treble paying just under 7/1.
Let’s keep things simple with the first Saturday selection here. Norwich have probably left their last-minute Championship play-off charge a tad too late.
Since January 1st, only Southampton (44 points) have racked up more points than the Canaries, which is testament to the great work done by former Rangers boss Philippe Clement since arriving at Carrow Road in November.
Unfortunately, it’s unlikely to result in a top-six berth as they literally have no wriggle room now. As well as requiring wins in their final two fixtures, they require the three sides above them – Wrexham, Hull and Derby – to completely collapse. If either of the former pair pick up another point, it’s another second tier campaign assured for Norwich.
That said, it’s not impossible things could go to the final day. Wrexham go to league winners Coventry, while faltering Hull have a tough trip to the Valley to take on Charlton. The Coventry, Charlton and Norwich treble – which this week shall be known as a Canary coup – pays just under 10/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral. Stranger things…
One thing I do trust is that Norwich can take care of their own affairs by beating a Swansea side who have reliably performed against those around them in recent times but have generally fallen short against the league’s leading lights.
In their last eight games, the Swans taken 10 points from four sides below them – QPR, Portsmouth, Leicester and Sheffield United. In contrast, they have managed only one point against the four ranked higher, drawing with Middlesbrough and losing to Wrexham, Coventry and Southampton.
I’d have Norwich closer to 1/2 here so the current 1.7 on offer looks more than fair.
What a season for Lincoln. The Imps were 33/1 antepost to take the tier three title and still as big as 12/1 in late December but Michael Skubala’s men clearly didn’t let that lack of optimism among punters deter them.
With two gameweeks to go, they have already sealed the title, had their celebrations and returned to action – maintaining the ruthlessly consistent form that has seen what once looked an intriguing title race turn into a complete precession.
For bettors at this stage of the season, backing league winners with little to play for can bring trepidation. Are Lincoln’s motivational levels still high with the ultimate target already achieved?
Given they haven’t tasted defeat in the league since November 22nd, it’s fair to say standards haven’t dropped. And the last team to beat them? Wycombe, who head to the LNER Stadium (Sincil Bank, let’s have it right) this weekend. Some extra motivation, if they needed it.
There’s also the magical 100-point season as a carrot firmly dangling in the Imps’ faces. A win here will tip their tally into three figures and be the crown jewel on what is unquestionably the best season in their 141-year history.
I would also argue the visiting Chairboys look firmly on the beach. Their only win in their last six was a 4-0 home thrashing of relegated Port Vale. More recently, they’ve been beaten 2-0 at a poor Leyton Orient and last week lost 1-0 at home to 10-man Blackpool.
I understand the nerves of backing a team who have already locked in the title but I do believe the 17/20 on Lincoln here is more than generous in the circumstances.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s no relegation battle any club ever wants to be a part of. But the drop from League Two to the National League is widely regarded as the most consequential in English football for good reason.
Dropping into non-league can be fatal for a club’s long-term financial flow, and with just one automatic promotion place granted to tier five clubs each season, there’s no guarantee that those who drop will return to the promised land of the EFL any time soon.
Newport find themselves firmly entrapped in such a battle. The good news, however, is that they’ve been here before – having finished 22nd of 24 (one spot above the dotted line) in three of the last 10 seasons. This is a club who can unite and pull it together when it really matters.
The Exiles are in their favourite 22nd spot heading into this weekend and know that a victory over Oldham will, at the very least, keep their fate in their own hands going into the final day. If Barrow and Harrogate were to lose, a win would actually seal their safety. High stakes, indeed.
I think this is a good time to be playing Oldham. The Latics have been good this season on the whole but are suffering the common lull that often follows a faint play-off dream being extinguished. Mickey Mellon’s men have now lost three straight games and you can forgive their players if they are already scooping up some early prices on summer holiday flights.
Newport aren’t exactly bombproof but they certainly do fare better at Rodney Parade. Christian Fuchs’ side have won three of their last six at home. So I back them to put a performance in here against a side who would probably be doing anything rather than trailing down the M4 on Saturday morning.
2pts - Norwich to beat Swansea - 7/10 (various)
2pts - Lincoln to beat Wycombe - 17/20 (Coral)
2pts - Newport to beat Oldham - 6/4 (Betfred)
1pt treble - Norwich, Lincoln and Newport all to win - 6.8/1 (BetMGM)
Total staked - 7pts
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
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