Free betting tips: Preview for the Sky Bet EFL fixtures on September 15
There's a full schedule in the Sky Bet EFL after the international break. Tom Carnduff has three best bets for the action.
Recommended EFL bets
2pts Ollie Watkins to score anytime in Brentford v Wigan at 23/10
2pts Lincoln to win on the -1 handicap at 14/5
1pt Draw/Middlesbrough in half-time/full-time at 11/2
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Brentford v Wigan
Sky Bet Championship, Griffin Park, Saturday, 1500 BST
It's consecutive home games for Brentford as they welcome Wigan to Griffin Park looking to build on victory over Nottingham Forest last time out.
Ollie Watkins got onto the scoresheet that day, and the forward's wonderful form means that he can find the net again here.
The price of 23/10 available on him to strike anytime seems fantastic value given his track record so far this season and the confidence that he is playing with.
The 22-year-old has four goals to his name this season alongside one assist, and will start once again as Brentford aim to make home advantage count.
Neal Maupay returns from suspension, which should signal an end to Watkins playing more centrally. He'll return to his natural position on the wing, but the way the Bees play will allow opportunities for goal.
Gareth Southgate may look at Championship players, Watkins has four goals already...
— Tom Carnduff (@TomC_22) September 1, 2018
I asked #BrentfordFC boss Dean Smith if he could be in that group that the England boss might considerpic.twitter.com/tSNwQjnbuH
Dean Smith's men play attractive football that is effective against most defences. They like possession and the movement from forward players creates dangerous chances.
Josh McEachran is pulling the strings in midfield while Romaine Sawyers and Lewis MacLeod provide a threat in the more advanced role.
The forward trio of Watkins, Maupay and Sergi Canos have enjoyed a lot of success up to this point and it should guide them to victory in this encounter.
Brentford are a strong outfit and should challenge this season. A lot of teams will leave Griffin Park empty-handed throughout the course of the campaign.
Best bet: Ollie Watkins to score anytime at 23/10
Bolton v QPR
Sky Bet Championship, University of Bolton Stadium, Saturday, 1500 BST
You would have done well to avoid the talk of Bolton Wanderers' off the field issue this week, with their financial issues coming to the fore once again.
They were on the brink of administration and a 12-point deduction before a last-minute agreement seem to be reached. Whether or not they'll face any punishments from the EFL remains to be seen.
Those issues have seen Bolton drift to outsiders in this one despite home advantage, but I'm willing to back Phil Parkinson to steer his men to victory.
Bolton's woes are nothing new. They spent a large part of last season as a side backed for relegation. They also had talk of financial issues at points then, granted not to this extent, but it highlights how Parkinson can galvanise his players.
Remarkably, the Bolton News reports that the first-team manager played a key part in helping get a deal across the line, looking to keep the excellent start that they had made.
On-the-pitch, Wanderers have eleven points from their opening six encounters, sitting 8th in the Sky Bet Championship standings.
They face a QPR side who picked up their first point on the road at Birmingham. The away game before that saw a 7-1 hammering to West Brom.
If anyone can get the best out of players in this situation it is Parkinson, and they are a side with the quality to see off a poor QPR outfit.
Best bet: Bolton to win at 15/8
Norwich v Middlesbrough
Sky Bet Championship, Carrow Road, Saturday, 1500 BST
Middlesbrough will be aiming to return to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table when they travel to face a Norwich side with just one win so far.
The Canaries' win over Preston remains their only victory of the current campaign, and they have since followed that up with defeat to Leeds and a draw against local rivals Ipswich.
Boro will be optimistic of victory again here, but may have to be patient as they wait for a breakthrough.
Daniel Farke's men may not be winning, but they are getting to half-time of their encounters level. Five of their six league games so far this season have been a draw at the break.
That's why there is value in backing a repeat of that here. 21/20 is available on the draw at half-time, although the half-time/full-time market provides a much better price.
Backing Draw/Middlesbrough in that market can be backed at a bet price of 11/2, which seems over-priced based on track record.
Bradford v Charlton
Sky Bet League One, Valley Parade, Saturday, 1500 BST
It was a horror start to life at Bradford City for David Hopkin as his side blew a 2-0 lead with six minutes remaining to lose 3-2 away at Blackpool.
The Bantams may be looking for a response here, but that seems to be a reoccurring theme for them throughout the season.
They have made a managerial change, with Michael Collins sacked after just six games.
That's despite chairman Edin Rahic telling the Telegraph and Argus at the time of his appointment that: "This is not a gamble. All three of them have great experience of this league and that’s important.
"They know everyone, they know the players, they know the quality, they know the characters and I think it’s a great chance for them – and for us."
Add in the fact that the Daily Star ran a story exposing the behind-the-scenes issues at the club, and you can see how it can be viewed as a tough first week in charge for the new manager.
Charlton made a managerial appointment of their own recently, with Lee Bowyer handed the job on a permanent basis despite holding the 'caretaker' role for a number of months.
The Addicks will fancy their chances of victory here, and they'll be looking towards Lyle Taylor to fire them to three points.
The forward has started the season in great form, scoring four goals in seven games.
Half of those goals have come on the road, which highlights how the former AFC Wimbledon man doesn't just rely on home comforts.
Best bet: Lyle Taylor to score anytime at 2/1
Macclesfield v Lincoln
Sky Bet League Two, Moss Rose, Saturday, 1500 BST
They may have suffered a surprise defeat to Crawley last time out, but Lincoln still sit top of the table after seven games in Sky Bet League Two.
The Imps come up against a Macclesfield side who are still searching for their first win of the season, with just two points to their name so far.
Add in the fact that Lincoln are the second-best away side in the division, and everything points towards an away victory here.
I'd back Lincoln to wrap up the win, but I'm more interested in a game with goals and that's why the handicap market provides good value.
Danny Cowley's men beat Exeter, who sit 3rd, 3-0 in their last game away from home, and beat Notts County by a two-goal margin the week before.
They are the division's joint-top scorers, while conceding the second-least goals in the top-seven. Macclesfield, on the contrary, have 14 goals against which is the third-highest in the league.
A Lincoln victory on the -1 handicap looks tempting at a best price of 14/5, with the Imps eager to make amends for failing to wrap up at least a point last time out.
Odds correct at 1215 BST (12/09/18)
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