Cardiff players celebrate

Free football betting tips and odds: Sky Bet EFL preview

15:16 · WED April 04, 2018

Nick Hext previews a busy Monday of Sky Bet EFL action, including three matches to watch live on Sky Sports.

Monday's first TV game

Under 2.5 goals in Preston v Derby, Sky Bet Championship (Monday, 1245 BST, Sky Sports Main Event)

Preston and Derby are both looking to bounce back from 4-1 defeats when they meet in front of the Sky Sports cameras in the first Sky Bet EFL match to enjoy on Easter Monday. The two clubs remain right in the heart of the play-off scrap - Derby are fifth and Preston are two points worse off in 10th as part of the congested race. I'm going low on goals at Deepdale as the priority for both North End boss Alex Neil opposite number Gary Rowett has to be to keep things tight after dispiriting showings last time out. Eight of Preston's previous 12 matches have produced under 2.5 goals so going below that mark is a sensible decision in this contest.

Monday's second TV game

Wigan (-1) to beat Portsmouth, Sky Bet League One (Monday, 1730 BST, Sky Sports Main Event)

Wigan are sitting top of Sky Bet League One after the latest round of matches but they could be down to third before the evening kick-off against Portsmouth on Easter Monday. Both Blackburn and Shrewsbury play before the Latics take to the field at Fratton Park. However, I don't expect those results to be of too much of a concern to Paul Cook's rampant side. Wigan have won by two or more goals in all of their last three outings and I expect this to be a fourth convincing victory in a row. Portsmouth have only won once in their previous eight home games and I don't think the return of former boss Cook will be enough to rouse a victory out of the play-off chasers. Take a look at 3/1 for Wigan to get the win by two or more goals.

Wigan fans celebrate with Will Grigg

Monday's third TV game

Cardiff to beat Sheffield United to nil, Sky Bet Championship (Monday, 1945 BST, Sky Sports Main Event)

Cardiff can extend their advantage over third-placed Fulham in the Sky Bet Championship promotion race to 10 points with victory at Sheffield United on Monday night. The Cottagers don't play again until facing Leeds on Tuesday so this is a fantastic chance for the Bluebirds to move to the brink of a place in next season's Premier League. I expect Neil Warnock to lead his Cardiff side to victory against his former employers and I'm forecasting a win to nil for the visitors at Bramall Lane. Sheffield United failed to net in the last match on their own turf, a 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest, and the previous meeting between these two sides this term ended in a 2-0 success for Cardiff.

Monday afternoon's Sky Bet Championship selection

Sheffield Wednesday to beat Sunderland, Sky Bet Championship (Monday, 1500 BST)

Sunderland shocked Derby with a 4-1 victory on Friday evening to boost their survival bid and end a 10-match winless run. The Black Cats now sit six points away from safety in the Sky Bet Championship but I can't support them as favourites to win at home to Sheffield Wednesday. Chris Coleman's side are without a win in their last five home matches and they have failed to claim back-to-back victories in the league this season. Wednesday are now clear of trouble after enjoying two wins on the spin and at around 2/1 are well worth backing to enjoy success at the Stadium of Light.

Monday afternoon's Sky Bet League One selection

Plymouth to beat Scunthorpe, Sky Bet League One (Monday, 1500 BST)

It's easy to make a case for Plymouth at 100/30 to win at Scunthorpe in a clash between two Sky Bet League One play-off contenders. Argyle have won 13 of their last 19 matches to enter the promotion race and the Iron have only claimed four victories in the same number of games, failing to claim a victory of any kind in any of their previous nine. Scunthorpe somehow failed to notch a win when dominating at Oxford on Friday and Plymouth are going to provide a much tougher challenge than the U's. The price is clearly right to support the Pilgrims.

Monday afternoon's Sky Bet League Two selection

Barnet to beat Stevenage, Sky Bet League Two (Monday, 1500 BST)

Martin Allen is back in charge of Barnet for a fifth time and I reckon there's a serious chance of another great escape. Allen previously managed a miraculous escape from relegation with the Bees when they beat Burton on the final day of the 2011/12 season. Barnet are five points behind third-bottom Grimsby after a 2-1 win at home to Crewe on Saturday and I reckon Monday's trip to fellow strugglers Stevenage is a great chance to heap pressure on the sides above them. That will really get the other clubs at the wrong end of the Sky Bet League Two standings nervous. Five of Barnet's last six matches are against teams alongside them in the bottom eight and that includes Stevenage, who have only won once in their last 10 outings. Over 2/1 is a price I want to take to back the Bees.