Free betting tips: Preview for the Sky Bet EFL fixtures on October 23
Midweek Sky Bet EFL action returns across the three divisions and we've found value in goalscorers on Tuesday night.
Recommended bets
1pt Jamal Lewis to score anytime in Norwich v Aston Villa at 13/1
1pt Dael Fry to score anytime in Middlesbrough v Rotherham at 12/1
2pts Ronan Curtis to score anytime in Portsmouth v Burton at 2/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Norwich v Aston Villa
Sky Bet Championship, Carrow Road, 1945 BST, Sky Sports Football
The Canaries have worked their way up the table with a string of positive results following a slow start to the season.
Norwich look like they are reaping the rewards of staying patient with their manager, as Daniel Farke undergoes his second campaign in English football.
With 20 points from their last possible 30, sitting third in the form charts over that time, the hosts have fired themselves into the play-off positions and will aim to continue their push to the top here.
The likes of Teemu Pukki and Jordan Rhodes have been capturing the headlines with 11 goals between them, but there is value in backing Jamal Lewis to strike anytime.
I have tipped him up previously this season and I'm willing to put my faith in the defender once again, especially after his performances in recent weeks.
Norwich's style of football allows the full-backs to drive forward and join the attack. An example of this can be found in their 2-0 win over Preston earlier this season, where Lewis grabbed an assist.
Before playing in Pukki, Lewis was at the edge of the area, almost in the same position as an attacking midfielder. That fluidity in formation can be hugely beneficial to the goalscoring chances of a full-back.
The stats also back up is attacking intent. He has had seven shots on goal in his last six league games, with a shot on target in each of his last three outings.
The Northern Ireland international is a threat in front of goal, and despite a wait for the first on his tally, it is only a matter of time before the goals start to come if he is constantly having efforts at the opposition net.
He is a player worth keeping an eye on as there will be links to Premier League sides in January. Lewis was recently awarded the EFL Young Player of the Month award, and he is a strong contender for Team of the Season at the rate he is going.
Given that Pukki is an injury doubt, Norwich know that they will need to contribute goals from other departments if they are to keep up their recent good results.
Best bet: Jamal Lewis to score anytime at 13/1
Opta facts
- Norwich have won each of their last three home league matches against Aston Villa.
- Aston Villa have won seven of their last 10 games against Norwich in all competitions (L3).
- Norwich have won seven of their last 10 games in all competitions (D2 L1).
- Aston Villa are winless in their last six away matches in all competitions (D3 L3) – they last endured a longer run between August 2015 and October 2016 (27 games).
- Norwich defender Timm Klose has scored each of the Canaries’ last three league goals – during 2018, only James Maddison (9) has scored more league goals for them than Klose (5).
- Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane has scored four Football League goals against Norwich – more than against any other side.
Middlesbrough v Rotherham
Sky Bet Championship, Riverside Stadium, 1945 BST, Sky Sports Red Button
This one appears to be a bit of a home banker with Middlesbrough sitting top of the table at this point in the season.
Not only does league position make a home win likely but Rotherham's away record doesn't make for good reading. Paul Warne's men have failed to pick up a point away from the New York Stadium this season, scoring two and conceding 14.
That makes the chance of Boro goals likely here. Their impact from corners is highlighted in the fact that centre-backs Daniel Ayala and Aden Flint are both priced up at 4/1 each to score anytime.
Middlesbrough's corner count in front of their home fans has been consistent. Each of their last four league home games have seen them win exactly ten corners, providing their centre-backs with plenty of opportunities to score.
Expect a big number of home corners again here, especially given the fact that they are expected to be on the front foot for large parts of the game.
Ayala and Flint are the men who will be fancied, but based on the high number of corners in their favour and the goals they are expected to score, there is decent value in Dael Fry's anytime goalscorer price.
The 21-year-old returned to the starting XI in the 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, and should start again here after an absence from the side due to a formation change.
Pulis clearly sees him as a defender who performs better in a back-three, and if they are to return to three central defenders, then Fry should be involved from the off.
At 12/1, he does look a tad overpriced considering the opportunities that will be available to him.
Best bet: Dael Fry to score anytime at 12/1
Opta facts
- Middlesbrough are unbeaten in seven home matches against Rotherham in all competitions (W4 D3 L0) since a 5-3 defeat in March 1965 at Ayresome Park.
- Rotherham won their most recent league meeting against Middlesbrough, a 1-0 victory under Neil Warnock in March 2016.
- Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis hasn’t faced Rotherham in a league match since April 2005, when he was Stoke manager – the Millers won 2-1.
- Manager Paul Warne has won just one point in his 19 away Championship matches as Rotherham boss (P19 W0 D1 L18), losing all five this season.
- Middlesbrough have lost one of their last 32 league matches at the Riverside on a Tuesday (W23 D8), a 1-0 defeat to Norwich in September 2017.
- Rotherham have lost their last 10 Championship matches on a Tuesday (eight in 2016-17, two in 2018-19).
Bristol Rovers v AFC Wimbledon
Sky Bet League One, Memorial Stadium, 1945 BST
It's a clash between two sides who have struggled in the third tier in recent weeks as Bristol Rovers welcome AFC Wimbledon to the Memorial Stadium.
The Dons are failing to pick up points on the road which means they have one of the worst away records in the division over the last five games.
Rovers on the other hand have lost just one of their last four in front of their own fans, and while they haven't been scoring, they have a great chance of pushing themselves clear of the relegation zone here.
It's difficult for any team when they fail to pick up points away from home, regardless of where the opposition are in the standings, and home advantage could be key in these contests throughout the season.
Wimbledon's run of four straight losses puts them bottom of the form charts, and while Rovers' form isn't drastically any better, they can take confidence in the fact that they have at least been picking up points.
It may not be a game filled with quality, but it is a game which should swing in the favour of the hosts.
Best bet: Bristol Rovers to win at 7/5
Opta facts
- Bristol Rovers lost both league matches against AFC Wimbledon last season, including a 3-1 home defeat in November 2017.
- AFC Wimbledon’s 3-1 away win at Bristol Rovers last season is their only victory at the Memorial Stadium – they lost their other five league matches there between 2012 and 2016.
- Bristol Rovers haven’t scored in any of their last five games in League One, despite attempting 70 shots in this period (D3 L2).
- Joe Piggott has scored 40% of AFC Wimbledon’s goals in League One this season (four of 10); only Rochdale’s Ian Henderson (43%) has netted a higher percentage of his team’s goals in the competition.
- Bristol Rovers’ Liam Sercombe has had 28 shots without scoring in League One this term; only Coventry’s Luke Thomas (33) has had more without finding the net.
Portsmouth v Burton
Sky Bet League One, Fratton Park, 1945 BST
They were Sporting Life's 14/1 pre-season tip to win Sky Bet League One, and Portsmouth are flying as they sit six points clear at the top.
Kenny Jackett's men have lost just one of their 14 games this season, with ten of those results ending up as victories. They boast a healthy goal difference too, with 24 goals scored putting them on +13 which could be a potential title-deciding factor at the end of the season.
They welcome Burton to Fratton Park on Tuesday night, where they will fancy their chances of adding to their tally given the fact that Albion have conceded nine goals in their last five away league games.
One of the stars of this Portsmouth team is Ronan Curtis, with the 22-year-old being directly involved in nearly half their goals scored so far.
He has six goals and five assists already. Those goals could be crucial for Pompey's hopes of promotion to the Sky Bet Championship this season, with four of them being the 'deciding' strikes which have ensured his side secure victory.
He has is a player who has enjoyed success fluctuating between the striker and left-wing roles so far - and he is more than capable of adding to his tally in front of his own supporters.
Best bet: Ronan Curtis to score anytime at 2/1
Opta facts
- Both of Portsmouth and Burton’s league meetings at Fratton Park have ended as draws, in 2013-14 and 2014-15 in League Two.
- This is the first ever league meeting between Portsmouth and Burton outside of League Two.
- Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett and Burton boss Nigel Clough last faced in the Football League in March 2014 – Jackett’s Wolves team won 2-0 at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United.
- Burton manager Nigel Clough has never lost a Football League match against Portsmouth (P4 W3 D1 L0).
- Jamal Lowe has scored more goals (4) and provided more assists (3) than any other Portsmouth player in home league games this term.
Odds correct as of 1320 BST on 22/10/18
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