Welcome to our live football in play blog as we bring you in play betting advice, instant scores, match updates, stats and match action photo and videos.
(Live blog continues below)
FA Cup
AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Millwall
Brighton 2-1 Derby
Sky Bet Championship
Rotherham 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Aston Villa 0-2 West Brom
Bolton 0-4 Norwich
Ipswich 1-1 Stoke City
Preston 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Sheffield United 4-0 Reading
So this where we say goodbye, thank you as always for beginning with us today. We hope your team won and your bets came in and we could help with the latter.
Please join us again next Saturday as the Premier League returns, and do visit Sporting Life every day for the best football news, opinion, interviews and betting previews.
A reminder that Sporting Life is the home of the EFL and we have highlights from each round of the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two.
That means every goal from every game is here on Sportinglife.com. You can also find the best goals, saves, funny moments and key talking points on our social media channels - @SportinglifeFC on twitter; and facebook.com/sportinglifeofficial - so please do follow and like us there.
So come back on Sunday to see every goal from every game today , plus our selections of the best goals from all three leagues.
Bristol City v Wolves (1300 GMT - BT Sport 2)
Best Bet: Either side to win in extra time at 11/2
Another home draw for Bristol City who have been on a tremendous run having not lost since November as they've progressed in the FA Cup and up the Sky Bet Championship table.
Wolves are my idea of the perfect team outside the top six to make a big run at this competition, but they made heavy work of getting past Shrewsbury to get here.
Wolves need to up it a gear to take on what is as tough as it gets outside the Premier League, and this has the hallmark of a really good game of football to kick-off Sunday's slate of games. Neither side score too many goals but they're both pretty solid defensively and this one has the potential to go the distance.
Doncaster v Crystal Palace (1600 GMT - BBC One)
Best Bet: Crystal Palace to win and both teams to score at 9/4
Palace played particularly well when dumping Tottenham out in the last round and this one should be a relatively straightforward progressions despite Rovers being in fine form at home with 3-1 and 3-0 wins in their last two games.
Doncaster may be a league One side but they know where the goal is and at home they'll be spurred on to find the net, but for my money that'll come in a losing cause.
Roy Hodgson's men are taken to get through here in normal time.
Swansea v Brentford (1600 GMT - BBC Wales)
Best Bet: Swansea to beat Brentford at 7/5
An all-Championship affair between two evenly matched sides where home advantage could be the deciding factor - especially given Brentford have won just once away from home in the Sky Bet Championship all season, which is a record that demands your attention here.
Even in the last round they showed their road sickness when drawing at Barnet only to then win the replay comfortably back at home, so although there's a lot to like about them, you've got to side with Swansea in front of their home crowd.
We pride ourselves on being clear and transparent here at Sporting Life, so let's look at what we did today.
The Acca sadly didn't come in, but we did have success with:
Previews
In Play
Let's start taking a look at how the league's have changed with today's results.
Sky Bet Championship
Big changes here, with Norwich City back to the top of the table, thanks to their big win and Leeds United not playing this weekend.
Sheffield United are second on 61 points, ahead of Leeds on goal difference but having played a game more.
WBA are four behind Leeds and the Blades by four points, but have played the same amount of games as Leeds and one less than Sheffield United.
A draw for Forest doesn't really help them, now four off the top six, but having played two more games than their rivals.
At the bottom, Rotherham missed the chance to get out of the drop zone by considering that 100th minute equaliser. Reading stay above them on GD. Ipswich are 9 from safety after their draw.
Sky Bet League One
Record breakers Luton Town now have 71 points, that is 11 ahead of third place Portsmouth, who have a game in hand. Barnsley remain second on 65 points.
AFC Wimbledon, Bradford, Shrewsbury, Oxford remain in the bottom four.
Sky Bet League Two
Lincoln and Mansfield will be kicking themselves today. The Imps conceded two late goals to draw with Stevenage to move to 62 points at the top, two clear of Bury, who won again.
Mansfield lost to bottom club Notts County, which has allowed MK Dons in fourth to close in to two points on them in third.
Despite their win at lunchtime, County are still at the foot of the EFL on 28 points, two away from Yeovil. Macclesfield are 23rd on 29 points.
Have your Super 6 predictions come in?
Sadly no joy for the Sporting Life EFL ACCA this week. Sorry about that.
👎 Preston 0-0 Forest
👍 Coventry 3-0 Walsall
👎 Gillingham 1-0 Scunthorpe
👍 Grimsby 1-0 Cheltenham
Congratulations to Luton Town!! The Sky Bet League Two leaders' 2-1 win at Fleetwood makes it six league wins in a row.
But more importantly it sets a new club record of 20 league games without defeat!
Lincoln 2-2 Stevenage
No one seems to want to pull away at the top of Sky Bet League One, as Lincoln concede late yet again to throw away a 2-0 lead. Chair with goals on 87 and 94 for the visitors.
Ipswich 1-1 Stoke
A late, late equaliser for the home side. They really needed to win this one to boost their survival chances, but this will now feel like a victory
Late goals in Sky Bet League Two
Lincoln 2-1 Stevenage
Carlisle 2-3 MK Dons
Man City were beaten in the FA Cup fifth round by Sky Bet EFL opposition in Wigan this time last year, will it happen again here?
Newport’s Michael Flynn makes three changes from their defeat to MK Dons.
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, is deadly serious about fighting on all fronts as he fields a strong side in South Wales. Seven changes in total but still a strong line-up with Ederson, Stones, Leroy Sane and David Silva among the starters.
LINE-UP | Here's how we line up in this afternoons @EmiratesFACup match against @ManCity! #OneClubOneCounty #OurJourneyContinues pic.twitter.com/7vt8aoQXy7
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) February 16, 2019
This afternoon's #FACup City starting line-up... 🏆
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 16, 2019
XI | Ederson, Zinchenko, Stones, Otamendi, Danilo, Fernandinho, Sane, Silva (C), Foden, Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus.
SUBS | Muric, Laporte, Walker, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Sterling, Bernardo.@HaysWorldwide 🔵 #ncafcvcity #mancity pic.twitter.com/y74jHZIEgP
Gone a bit quiet in these closing 10 minutes, so let's quickl look at the 5.30 game in the FA Cup as Newport host the Premier League champions Manchester City. Paul Higham has been looking at this and is going for:
Gabriel Jesus & Riyad Mahrez both to score at 15/8 and both start tonight!
Where do you start with a game where the Premier League champions are 1/500 to beat a League Two side where the only hope is that the City swagger is put off its stride by a less-than-perfect pitch - the pitch can be a great leveller but it would have to be something outrageous to narrow the gap between these two.
Whatever side Pep Guardiola puts out it'll still be a case of how many they'll get (they're odds-on to score four or more!). There's a chance City's players take time to adapt to the pitch and they may not end up filling their boots as they did against Burton, Burnley and Rotherham, but Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez have the pace and technical ability to score on any surface.
Lolley has the ball in the back of the net for Nottingham Forest at Preston, but it is ruled out for a foul on the keeper in a goal mouth scramble, it sounds like a harsh decision on Forest - not for the first time this week!
Oxford 0-1 Peterborough
Carlisle 1-3 MK Dons
Port Vale 0-1 Morecambe
At 0-0 just before half time we went for over 1.5 goals at 6/4 in Lincoln v Stevenage - boom
Lincoln City 2-0 Stevenage
Lincoln are set to extend their lead at the top of Sky Bet League Two, after Mansfield's shock loss at Notts County earlier.
Coventry 3-0 Walsall
Walsall are sinking like a stone in Sky Bet League One. Might be worth looking at for their relegation odds
it is still 2-2 in our Sporting Life EFL ACCA - we need some late magic now!
👎 Preston 0-0 Forest
👍 Coventry 2-0 Walsall
👎 Gillingham 1-0 Scunthorpe
👍 Grimsby 1-0 Cheltenham
In Sky Bet League One Charlton have stepped it up against troubled Blackpool with a couple of second-half chances – you can back the hosts to score the game’s next goal at 6/4.
It doesn't really matter when you are 4-0 up, but Norwich have missed another penalty. This time it is McLean
This is an amazing fact - Norwich have missed six out of their last seven penalties, with six different takers.
Barnsley 2-0 Wycombe
Exeter 0-1 Bury
Forest finished the first half strongly, but Preston have got back into it in the second half. They've had three shots on target and 3 off. Forest are 2 on target and 4 off.
Preston have just forced another good save and it is worth noting that the hosts have scored seven goals in the second half in their last six league matches. Preston to score the first goal is 11/8. No score is 5/4 now
Pukki's brace was tipped by us in the first half at 13/8, as it looked good with a Sky Bet boost.
Bolton 0-4 Norwich
Pukki has his second.
Sheffield United to score next is 11/10, which would make it 5-0. It to finish 5-0 is currently 3/1 with Sky Bet.
Lincoln 1-0 Stevenage
We tipped over 1/5 goals at 6/4 at half time, one more for that to come in!
Fleetwood 0-2 Luton
A club record unbeaten league run is going to be secured here
Great news for our EFL expert Tom Carnduff, and hopefully you too if you backed it - in his EFL preview he went for 30+ Fleetwood booking points in Fleetwood v Luton at 6/4
That's come in already with Wallace, Sowerby, Burns and Holt all going in the book. There's been six yellows in the game already!
Sheffield United 4-0 Reading
Fleck scores after 4 minutes of the second period.
We discussed before kick off of going for over 3.5 goals in the Villa v WBA game at 74. You you didn't go for that then, but now do fancy more action in the second half. Well you can now back over 3.5 total goals at a Price Boosted 11/10.
To add to this, Villa keeper Kalinic is off injured and Steer is on.
If you haven't already, take a look at Sky Bet’s new Group Bet’s feature, where you and your mates can form a group and each put your normal bets on. Then you can chose if you also take on your mates’ bets too, or just stick with your own.
Every week both the Sporting Life team and the Soccer Saturday Pundits form their own groups, which you can join in on too!
Sky Bet have Price Boosted Preston to beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at 9/1...
A mixed bag at half time for the Sporting Life EFL ACCA - isn't it always?!
👎 Preston 0-0 Forest
👍 Coventry 2-0 Walsall
👎 Gillingham 1-0 Scunthorpe
👍 Grimsby 1-0 Cheltenham
How are your prediction for Super 6 looking at the interval?
FA Cup
AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Millwall
Sky Bet Championship
Aston Villa 0-2 WBA
Bolton 0-3 Norwich
Ipswich 0-1 Stoke
Preston 0-0 Forest
Sheffield United 3-0 Reading
In Sky Bet League Two there is a really open game between Lincoln and Stevenage. The league leaders have had 3 shots on target, none off. The visitors are 1 on target and 5 off target.
Lincoln are 1/1 to score the opener, Stevenage 5/2. What might be best here is over 1.5 goals at 6/4
Grimsby 1-0 Cheltenham
That means we have two of our four legs of our ACCA winning currently.
Aston Villa 0-2 WBA
In a blink of an eye the Baggies double their lead. Rodriguez becomes the club's top scorer with his 17th of the campaign.
Aston Villa 0-1 WBA
Kanu header from the right of the box into the bottom corner from a Holgate cross
Sheffield United 3-0 Reading
Madine has his second of the game and his second for Sheffield United in his short time at the club. These are his first goals in 24 games.
Ipswich 0-1 Stoke
McClean's left footbed strike from close range opens the scoring here.
DOUBLE SUCCESS in fact thanks to that Norwich goal, we advised both Norwich to score a third at 8/13 and Buendia to get a goal today at 4/1.
We hope you took them on!
Bolton 0-3 Norwich City
Buendia scores on 34 minutes and this game is OVER and Norwich are top of the Sky Bet Championship
Coventry 2-0 Walsall
Hiwula doubles the lead for the home side to strength this leg of the Sporting Life ACCA
We are on the board and rolling with the ACCA...
Coventry 1-0 Walsall
But then...
Gillingham 1-0 Scunthorpe
The ACCA gives with one hand and takes away with the other
Norwich are already 2-0 at Bolton ad should have just scored a third. They've had six shots in total, four on target. So backing the hosts to score the game’s next goal at 8/13 is well worth considering
Bolton 0-2 Norwich
Stiepermann puts the visitors 2-0 up.
Oldham 1-0 Crewe
Oldham's revivial under Paul Scholes is continuing
Every fortnight we bring you our Sky Bet Championship Podcast as former pro Noel Whelan joins us to discuss all the key results and news, plus we have some fun too. Download, subscribe and listen for free here.
We'd love you to join us, so please take a listen to our latest episode here
Goals are expected at Villa Park this afternoon, but it’s still 0-0 so far between Aston Villa and West Brom.
Tammy Abraham has already had a shot on target and you can back the loanee to add to his tally by opening the scoring at 9/2. Back it here
Since the class of 92 took over at Salford the club and National League are use to seeing famous footballing faces, but surely this is the biggest now - DAVID BECKHAM!
He is at the club after joining in the ownership with his mates Butt, Scholes and the Neville brothers
Welcome to Salford, David Beckham!#WeAreSalford 🦁🔴 pic.twitter.com/XZBXimTpJ8
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) February 16, 2019
With Norwich leading at Bolton 1-0, Teemu Pukki to score a brace is now 13/8 with Sky Bet.
I'd also look at Buendía to get a goal this afternoon at 4/1
Sheffield United 2-0 Reading
Gary Madine has his first goal for Sheffield United in his sixth game for his new club.
Barnsley 1-0 Wycobme
And good news for another promotion chasing South Yorkshire club, as Sporting Life's good friend - well we interviewed him once, that counts - scores a penalty.
A reminder of the teams we are supporting today in order to get us a result with the ACCA at 22/1.
All 0-0 so far
Bolton 0-1 Norwich
Guess who? Teemu Pukki of course, a win will put Norwich top again with Leeds not playing.
Aston Villa through Abraham and WBA through Holgate both have early chances that should have been converted.
Meanwhile Preston's Jordan Storey puts a header wide when he should have been celebrating the opener against Forest
AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Millwall
Murray Wallace puts the away side up early in this FA Cup tie.
Rotherham United 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Iorfa's leveller and Forestieri's red card are the last actions of the game, which means Steve Bruce remains unbeaten as Wednesday boss. Rotherham move to 29 points, but remain in the relegation zone, how big could that moment be come the end of the season in determining who goes down?
Sheffield Wednesday's Forestieri gets a second yellow card for celebrating that equaliser too much and is off. This is what derby games are all about!!
Rotherham 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Oh football is so cruel. Rotherham just cannot defend and are made to pay yet again this season. Wednesday's equaliser comes from Iorfa in the 10th minute of injury time, when only 8 went up on the board.
Sheffield United 1-0 Reading
Surely this is some kind of record, as Freeman gives Chris Wilder's side an incredibly early lead.
So we've already had one winner come in today, let's go get some more over the next few hours.
We will keep you up to date with all the key goals, match action and stats. We will monitor all the main games to provide in play betting advice too.
Notts County 1-0 Mansfield
What a result for the EFL's bottom club. They are now only at the foot of Sky Bet League Two on goal difference from Macclesfield, now on the same amount of games. However Sol Campbell's side host Colchester at 3pm.
In the day’s only FA Cup 3pm kick off, AFC Wimbledon compete in the fifth round for the first time in their history, while Millwall are vying for a third quarter final appearance in seven years.
Last call for your Super 6 entries and your chance to win £250,000. Today's games are:
😱 "Oh my god, Jeff isn't going to be happy is he?"
— Super 6 (@Super6) February 15, 2019
📞 Ever wondered what it would be like get a phone call from the #Super6 team confirming you have won the £250k jackpot?
💰 That's exactly what happened to Debbie Spencer last Saturday. pic.twitter.com/iIWEiiYDn7
This would be a real shock if Reading won this one and that's reflected in Sheffield United being 8/15 to win, but shocks have been a key component of the Sky Bet Championship this season.
Seventeen of Sheffield United's last 20 league goals have been scored by Billy Sharp (11) or David McGoldrick (6), while Sharp has been involved in six goals in his last six appearances against Reading.
Every week we compile our selected best tips from the whole Sporting Life team from a range of sports. This week we have recing, football, rugby union and rugby league covered.
You can get them in our Saturday Best Bets Article here.
Or listen to our selections and reasoning on our Best Bets Podcast, which is out every Friday. Click here to listen - You can subscribe and listen every week totally for FREE via iTunes
Our last preview selection from Tom Carnduff in the Sky Bet EFL today, and we go into League One for this one.
30+ Fleetwood booking points in Fleetwood v Luton at 6/4
Given Peter Bankes appointment as referee, the value is looking at booking points and more specifically, cards for the home side.
Fleetwood are up against Charlton for top spot when it comes to cards received in League One this season. Town have seen 67 yellows and six reds in their 32 games so far.
They've also seen booking points in games against teams at the top. They were shown a total of 45 points against Portsmouth alongside 30 in their last meeting with Luton.
Bankes has shown at least four cards on 18 separate occasions this season, and a game involving Fleetwood should see that tally rise to 19 on Saturday.
Derby may be out of the FA Cup, but they still helped to create some history today. Ashley Cole's late consolation goal was his first ever in the FA Cup, in his 49th game.
It is also his first goal in English football since September 22, 2012, when we scored the winner in a 1-0 victory for Chelsea at home to Stoke in the Premier League
🏆 Seven FA Cup wins
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) February 16, 2019
🏆 Premier League and Champions League success
💯 Over 100 England caps
At 38 years of age, you would think Ashley Cole has done it all in football.
Well, today he scored his first goal in the #FACup!
👇 #DCFC #BHADER pic.twitter.com/cbYchFx7QZ
Preston have lost just one of their last 13 home league matches against Nottingham Forest and that came in September 2010, in a 2-1 loss. Forest have picked up just five wins from their past 35 away matches in all competitions, losing 16.
Preston to win at 21/201 looks good, but Preston to win and BTTS at 7/2 looks even better
Rotherham United 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
The Millers take the lead after really stepping it up in the last 10 minutes. Towell scores. Is Steve Bruce heading for this first defeat at the Owl's boss?
The winners of the January goal of the Month for the Sky Bet EFL were revealed this week, all voted for by fans in a public vote.
We've already shown you the Championship winner. Here are the League One and League Two winners - enjoy
Reading got an impressive and much needed win in midweek to move out of the bottom three, Sheffield United responded from throwing away a 3-0 lead at Villa by beating Middlesbrough.
Something might have to give here. Under Darren Moore Albion have won all 10 away games when they’ve gone ahead. However Villa have fallen behind in seven of the 10 home games Dean Smith has been in charge of – but only lost once.
What might be more accurate is that six of the last 10 league games have ended in a draw, so a draw and BTTS looks good at 3/1
Neither of these sides can defend, so I’d recommend over 3.5 goals at 7/4
TEAM NEWS: The Wimbledon starting 11 and subs for today’s big @EmiratesFACup tie v @MillwallFC. #AFCW pic.twitter.com/VlWOjJSCoN
— AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) February 16, 2019
TEAM NEWS: #Millwall team to face @AFCWimbledon: Archer; Romeo, Pearce, Cooper, M. Wallace; Leonard, Williams; J. Wallace, O'Brien, Ferguson; Gregory.
— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) February 16, 2019
Subs: Martin, Hutchinson, Tunnicliffe, Hanson, Skalak, Elliott, Morison. 🦁 pic.twitter.com/g8QFPJZuMD
Sky Bet have boasted the following:
Norwich Sheffield United and Barnsley all to win to 9/2
Norwich and Sheffield United to win and Barnsley to draw with Wycombe to 12/1
👊 We're going again with the Soccer Saturday Price Boost.
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) February 16, 2019
FA Cup
Brighton 2-1 Derby
Derby were poor in this one and only threaten in the final 10 minutes. Brighton should have won by more and made hard work of it in the end, but they are through.
Sky Bet League One
Southend 3-3 Portsmouth
A Simon Cox hat trick has saved Southend here. Portsmouth lead 3-0 with goals on 8, 20 and 31 minutes. Cox struck on 36, 78 and 87!
Point doesn't really help either side as both on long non winning runs now.
Southend were 3-0 down at home to Portsmouth after around half an hour in @SkyBetLeagueOne...
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) February 16, 2019
Step forward Simon Cox 👏
⚽️ 36'
⚽️ 78'
⚽️ 86'
⭐️ Hat-trick hero.
😱 What a comeback at Roots Hall! #SUFC pic.twitter.com/85Lx1TVmP4
Southend, losing 3-1 at half time, have pulled it back to 3-3 at home to Portsmouth
GOAL Southend 2-3 Portsmouth
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 16, 2019
We are in for a tense final 15 minutes at Roots Hall.
📺 Watch live on Sky Sports Football or follow here: https://t.co/PmWleUcDmw pic.twitter.com/K7YhNTRCJV
GOAL SOUTHEND 3-3 POMPEY
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 16, 2019
📺 Watch live on Sky Sports Football or follow here: https://t.co/PmWleUcDmw pic.twitter.com/yFZzir9CAc
Norwich, looking to respond from their midweek defeat bring McLean for his first league start since August. He replaces the injured Tetty.
Confirmation of Wanderers' starting XI and substitutes for today's @SkyBetChamp clash with @NorwichCityFC.
— Bolton Wanderers FC (@OfficialBWFC) February 16, 2019
Social Media Sponsor: @BristolStMotors #BWFC 🐘🏰 pic.twitter.com/c6NtnnRgc4
Here is your City XI and subs for today's game at Bolton Wanderers ⬇️ #ncfc pic.twitter.com/0HKeXkBCbq
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) February 16, 2019
The Blades beat promotion rivals Middlesbrough in midweek and Chris Wilder has opted to rotate his side, making four changes. Scott Hogan comes in to make his debut after joining on loan from Aston Villa in January, Kieron Freeman, Marvin Johnson and Gary Madine also come into the side.
The Royals will be full of confidence after beating Blackburn in midweek and Jose Gomes has opted to make three changes with Yakou Meite, Lewis Baker and Mo Barrow replacing Tyler Blackett, Sone Aluko and John Swift.
⚔️⚽️ CONFIRMED TEAM | Chris Wilder makes 4⃣ changes following the efforts of the midweek win - Hogan (debut), Freeman, Johnson & Madine start. It’s @SUFC_tweets v @ReadingFC in the @SkyBetChamp, kick-off is 3pm#sufc #ForgedinSteel #twitterblades pic.twitter.com/b8yGIseNMk
— Sheffield United (@SUFC_tweets) February 16, 2019
⚡️ TEAM NEWS ⚡️
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) February 16, 2019
Our team to face @SUFC_tweets this afternoon in the @SkyBetChamp...#SHUvREA pic.twitter.com/Lqu7Vf34Sr
Our first of the day - calling Southend to get the sixth goal of the day in their match with Portsmouth
Preston unchanged after their midweek win over promotion-chasing Norwich. Two changes for Martin O’Neill as Tendayi Darikwa and Daryl Murphy come into the side at the expense of Saidy Janko and Ben Watson.
📋 TEAM NEWS: Your North End team to face @NFFC...
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) February 16, 2019
The gaffer names an unchanged side once again this afternoon! 👊#COYW #pnefc pic.twitter.com/iImBxToiuQ
The team news is in and this is how #NFFC line-up for today's game against @pnefc, brought to you in association with @BetBright. pic.twitter.com/zFJUhHEGdS
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) February 16, 2019
Southend 3-3 Portsmouth
Cox completed his hat trick as Southend come from 3-0 down to 3-3. We told you Portsmouth were looking nervous and they've paid the price for that. We hope you backed Southend to score the sixth goal at 9/2
Brighton 2-1 Derby
Would you believe who has scored for Derby It is only former England full back Ashley Cole. It is his first ever FA Cup goal, coming in his 49th cup game. Even more surprising he scored with his head.
It is also his first goal in English football since 2012. Can you remember who he scored against then? Answer shortly
Paul Lambert makes one change from Ipswich’s midweek draw with Derby as Jon Nolan comes into the side, while Nathan Jones also makes one change for Stoke as James McClean replaces Benik Afobe in attack
One change for the Blues this afternoon as Jon Nolan replaces Flynn Downes who is ill 👇 #itfc pic.twitter.com/3xTbn2aVOK
— Ipswich Town FC (@IpswichTown) February 16, 2019
📋 Here's how your Potters line-up against @IpswichTown this afternoon.#SCFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/LSIOwP9NIY
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) February 16, 2019
So that goal has really changed the mood around Roots Hall. Remember Portsmouth haven't won in the last three in the league, and that is showing as they look nervous now.
Southend have had seven shots on target and five off it as they push for the leveller. Southend to score the sixth goal of the game is now 9/2 with Sky Bet, and we recommend that. The draw is 11/2. There are 8 minutes plus injury time left.
Southend 2-3 Portsmouth
The comeback is well and truly on now, as Cox scores his second, this time from the penalty spot. Can Portsmouth hold on?
Two changes for the home side, as Green and Elmohamady return
For WBA, Darren Moore makes three changes to the side that got a lucky draw with Forest in midweek. Barry, Kanu and Hegazi come in
Team news: Two changes from midweek for #AVFC....@AndreGreen_ and @Elmo_27 come into the wide positions. 👊#PartOfThePride pic.twitter.com/iwk1PKVfsd
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 16, 2019
📋 Our team to face the Villa...@Hegazi, Gareth Barry and @RobsonKanu come into the side as Darren Moore makes three changes.#AVLWBA | #WBA pic.twitter.com/xIstpWbKci
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) February 16, 2019
A reminder that Sporting Life is the home of the EFL and every week we have highlights from the Sky Bet Championship, League one and League Two.
That means every goal from every game is here on Sportinglife.com. You can also find the best goals, saves, funny moments and key talking points on our social media channels - @sportinglifeFC on twitter; and facebook.com/sportinglifeofficial - so please do follow and like us here.
That includes Goal of the Month, and the awards have been handed out for January this week.
This was the Sky Bet Championship winner from Ipswich's Mr Sears...
Team news will be in soon for today's featured 3pm games, we will bring you them all for the Sky Bet Championship and the 3pm FA Cup game. Then we will analyse it all to start creating some in play tips. So standby.
Tom Carnduff, our EFL man, has picked out:
Ipswich look a certainty for relegation, but it has to be said that performances have improved under Paul Lambert's leadership highlighted by their draw with Derby.
Stoke have won just two of their 16 games on the road this season, and while Ipswich's home form isn't much better, they have picked up points in three in their last five in front of their own supporters. Ipswich have everything to fight for, knowing they have to start winning now for any chance to stay up, while Stoke seem to have very little motivation and performances reflect this.
This is so intriguing. Forest have improved under Martin O’Neill, but still lack consistent enough. Preston are the form team of the Sky Bet Championship, having earned 14 points from their last six games, having not lost in any of those.
Forest are five off the play-offs, but Preston are just three points further back.
Take a look at Sky Bet’s new Group Bet’s feature, where you and your mates can form a group and each put your normal bets on. Then you can chose if you also take on your mates’ bets too, or just stick with your own.
Check out the Sporting Life team’s Group Bets for this weekend here.
And here’s the Sky Sport Soccer Saturday lads’ choices.
📲 The @SoccerSaturday boys have spoken.
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) February 15, 2019
👊 Have you done your Group Bet yet?
It’s been two weeks since our EFL ACCA last came in, so let’s get it nailed today.
Preston, Coventry, Scunthorpe and Grimsby all to win at 22/1
There were four goals in the first half at Roots Hall, where Portsmouth lead 3-1. Here a few of them
🔵 POMPEY LEAD 🔵
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 16, 2019
Emphatic finish from Morris and the visitors lead after just eight minutes.
📺 Watch live on Sky Sports Football or follow here: https://t.co/PmWleUcDmw pic.twitter.com/uyNAgRV5fX
🔵 BEAUTY 🔵
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 16, 2019
Pompey double their lead as Close volleys home from just outside the area.
📺 Watch live on Sky Sports Football or follow here: https://t.co/PmWleUcDmw pic.twitter.com/g0XZDIfxjy
GOAL - Southend back in it
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 16, 2019
📺 Watch live on Sky Sports Football or follow here: https://t.co/PmWleUcDmw pic.twitter.com/4fFhwOtn30
Rotherham 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
But the Millers reply immediately! Taylor smashes home. Goals here on 35 and 37 minutes.
Rotherham 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Adam Reach hits the post for Wednesday and then a minute later Forestieri, recalled under new boss Bruce, fires home from eight yards.
Let's start taking a look at some of the 3pm games in the Sky Bet Championship and we begin with a huge game in deciding both who makes the play offs and who goes up automatically.
After drawing in midweek with Forest, WBA need to win this game in hand on leaders Leeds United to keep up the charge on the top two.
For Villa – seven points off the top six, most of whom have a game in hand on them.
A draw is no good for either side
It was been a tight game so far, but Rotherham should be leading.
Forde pounces on a error in midfield to seal the ball and race in on goal, but Wednesday keeper Westwood makes the one on one save. Then a square ball finds Smith in the box, but despite having space and time, he puts it wide.
The Millers' lack of goals is haunting and hurting the again.
FA CUP
Brighton 2-0 Derby
Sky Bet League One
Southend 1-3 Portsmouth
✌ | Locadia doubles @OfficialBHAFC's lead before the break! pic.twitter.com/NuK6VzeA6I
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 16, 2019
Paul Higham has been previewing the FA Cup games this weekend and in the one 3pm kick off today he is going for a best bet of:
Wimbledon were excellent at home against West Ham in their shock but fully deserved victory while Millwall caused an upset of their own as they sent Everton packing, but both have struggled since with just one Wimbledon goal and victory between them in three matches each.
That makes picking this game tricky to say the least, as their FA Cup runs doesn't seem to have had any decent affect on the teams at all. The Lions may be away but they do have that extra quality that comes from playing in the league above, so should have enough but it looks like being a close call.
Last Saturday we saw Jeff Stelling have to hand over another £250,000 to one lucky winner. Can you do it this week?
You need to get the full time scores of these games right to do just that.
😱 "Oh my god, Jeff isn't going to be happy is he?"
— Super 6 (@Super6) February 15, 2019
📞 Ever wondered what it would be like get a phone call from the #Super6 team confirming you have won the £250k jackpot?
💰 That's exactly what happened to Debbie Spencer last Saturday. pic.twitter.com/iIWEiiYDn7
Brighton 2-0 Derby
Locadia gets his 3rd goal in 35 games for Brighton deep into injury time
Notts County 1-0 Mansfield
Well, who saw this coming, the Sky Bet League Two's bottom club lead the side second in the table. It's deserved too, as the home side have flown out the blocks and Mackail-Smith gets his first goal for the club.
📽️ GOAL REPLAY 📽️
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) February 16, 2019
A classy finish from Anthony Knockaert gives Brighton the lead in the early FA Cup kick-off against Derby
👇 #DCFC #BHAFC #FACuppic.twitter.com/7ULOb2YBoA
Brighton 1-0 Derby
The Premier league side take the lead in this FA Cup tie thanks to Knockaert. The Former Leicester man will have enjoyed that one.
Southend 1-3 Portsmouth
Southend have a little life line in this one
Sky Bet have boasted the following:
Norwich Sheffield United and Barnsley all to win to 9/2
Norwich and Sheffield United to win and Barnsley to draw with Wycombe to 12/1
So just kicking off are Rotherham United at home to Sheffield Wednesday in a good old-fashioned South Yorkshire derby in the Sky Bet Championship.
And this game is one of our EFL Expert Tom Carnduff’s focuses for value in the EFL this weekend:
Will Vaulks to score anytime in Rotherham v Sheffield Wednesday at 6/1
Vaulks had a direct impact in Rotherham's goal against Wigan last Saturday, earning what could prove to be vital as May approaches.
The Millers are a side who are strong when it comes to set-pieces in their favour and they'll be particularly looking to utilise that in the remainder of their home games. While it will provide Vaulks the opportunity to get the ball into the box, there will also be chances for a direct strike on goal. He is a player with the ability to find the net with chances such as that.
Not only are set-pieces crucial, but his impact from open play is noticeable. Despite often lining up in a more defensive role of midfield, he does have the freedom to play in advanced positions when possible.
Southend 0-3 Portsmouth
Just 30 minutes gone in this one and Portsmouth already have it sealed by the looks of it. This would be their first win in six; while it would extended Southend's run without a victory to five, having lost four of those.
There is no Premier League action today – boo!
However there are loads of FA Cup and Sky Bet EFL games – Yippee!
So we will focus on those this afternoon. In the Cup we have Brighton against Derby; AFC Wimbledon at home to Millwall and Newport County against Manchester City, although that is a 5.30 kick off.
Some really big games across the EFL.
Two derbies in the Sky Bet Championship. At Villa Park Aston Villa host West Brom. With no game for Leeds Unitws this afternoon, this is WBA’s game in hand on the leaders and so they need to win to close the gap on them and Norwich in second and have any chance of going up automatically.
For Villa, they are seven points off the play offs, so can’t afford to lose any more ground.
Just kicking off is Rotherham United at home to Sheffield Wednesday. The Millers are now in the relegation zone, so need the points desperately, while Wednesday are defending new boss Steve Bruce’s unbeaten start.
Preston and Nottingham Forest is also huge, with both still in with the chance to make the top six.
In League One, leaders Luton are at Fleetwood, while second place Barnsley host Wycombe, with Sunderland playing in the Cup last night, then both have the chance to move further away from their rivals.
In Sky Bet League Two bottom club Notts County are just kicking off against second place Mansfield, leaders Lincoln City host Stevenage.
Welcome one and all to Match Companion – Sporting Life’s Live football in play betting blog.
It’s Gareth Jones and George Pitts with you this afternoon as we work together to bring you instant score and stat updates and provided you with all the key information and advice to help your in-play betting.
Tom Carnduff had a good day with this in-play advice last Saturday, so the challenge is on today for us to outdo him – bring it on!
Odds correct at time of posting