Sky Bet EFL betting tips: Weekend preview, including Sunderland v Leeds
Our Nick Hext makes Reading his best bet in the Sky Bet EFL this weekend.
Recommended bet: Weekend EFL
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Best bet
Reading to beat Preston, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1500 BST)
Regular followers of these tips will know there was plenty of success enjoyed last season by backing Reading as outsiders. That approach was generally utilised when the Royals had home advantage but I'm keen on Saturday to get with them on the road at Preston. Jaap Stam's men enjoyed a 2-1 victory at home to Aston Villa in midweek and I'm surprised that they are more than 2/1 across the board to pick up a three-point haul against North End. I'm predicting Preston to struggle this term and I won't be supporting the hosts as favourites despite them making a decent-enough start.
TV games
Under 1.5 goals in Burton v Birmingham, Sky Bet Championship (Friday, 1945 BST, Sky Sports Football)
Bottom-of-the-table Burton host Birmingham in Friday night's Sky Bet Championship offering live on Sky Sports. The Brewers have lost all three of their league games so far this season but they were unlucky to fall to a late Cardiff winner in their only match at the Pirelli Stadium. That game ended in a 1-0 win to the Bluebirds and I think this will be another low-scoring encounter. Birmingham drew 0-0 at home to Bolton in midweek and lost 1-0 at Ipswich to start the campaign so goals are from guaranteed when Harry Redknapp's men take the field. The odds are close and I like under 1.5 goals as the best way to get an interest in a tight contest.
There's an interesting game in store on Saturday evening when Sunderland take on Leeds at the Stadium of Light. I've been really impressed by the Black Cats so far this season as Simon Grayson starts to get some much-needed mettle in the ranks after the disastrous relegation from the Premier League. Two of the three league games so far from Sunderland have ended in draws, against Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday, and that's the same return as this weekend's opponents Leeds. The Elland Road outfit have claimed two 0-0 draws in a row, at home to Preston and Fulham, and new boss Thomas Christiansen is joining Grayson in getting his approach across to his squad. I don't think there's much between these two teams so the draw has to be the call.
Pick of the weekend matches
Wolves to beat Cardiff, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1500 BST)
Two of the three remaining teams with a 100 per cent record in the Sky Bet Championship meet at Molineux on Saturday afternoon as Wolves host Cardiff. I'm delighted with the start to the campaign enjoyed by pre-season promotion picks Wolves and they should be backed again at odds-against with home advantage. Cardiff left it late to win at bottom-of-the-table Burton in their only away game so far this term and this is a big step up in class. The Bluebirds can defy expectations and challenge for the play-offs but Wolves' attacking talent is already starting to click. Back the hosts as favourites in this game.
Where to go away
Wigan to beat Oldham, Sky Bet League One (Saturday, 1500 BST)
Wigan look the pick of the sides to back for victory on their travels this weekend. Oldham are the opponents for Paul Cook's men at SportsDirect.com Park and they are a class above in this battle of the Latics. Wigan have started the season with three wins in a row and it has been the opposite story for Oldham with three defeats in three outings. Nick Powell is set to be the best player in League One this term and the former Manchester United forward has already netted three goals in his two appearances so far. The bookies have Wigan at odds-against to get the three points and that has to be worth an interest.
Going for goals
Over 3.5 goals in Coventry v Newport, Sky Bet League Two (Saturday, 1500 BST)
Coventry's clash against Newport promises entertainment in League Two. The Sky Blues have a 100 per cent record in the league so far this season but I think they will face a tougher test than expected against the Exiles. Newport have opened with a couple of score draws, as well an impressive Carabao Cup victory at Southend, and I reckon there's value in going for goals. Over 3.5 is my preferred option as I rate both sides after netting in all of their matches so far this term.
Posted at 0700 BST on 18/08/17.
Related links
Weekend Premier League tips
Weekend football fixture list
Sky Bet Championship odds
