Cardiff manager Neil Warnock
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock

Free football betting tips and odds: Sky Bet EFL preview


Nick Hext is backing Cardiff for another narrow win when they host Bristol City in the Sky Bet Championship on Sunday.

Sunday's Sky Bet Championship game

Cardiff to beat Bristol City by one goal, Sky Bet Championship (Sunday, 1200 GMT)

The prospect of a return to the Premier League for Neil Warnock is becoming a more serious one by the day. Second-placed Cardiff sit four points clear of Aston Villa in third ahead of the latest round of Sky Bet Championship matches and I expect another three points for the Bluebirds against Bristol City in Sunday's only match in the EFL. Cardiff have claimed 1-0 wins for both of their last two victories and I'm going for this to be another success by one goal for Warnock's side. Bristol City have lost by one goal in all of their previous four defeats and it makes sense to trust the Bluebirds to keep their promotion bid going.

Saturday night's TV game

No goals in the first half of Fulham v Wolves, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1730 GMT, Sky Sports Football)

Fulham's clash against Sky Bet Championship leaders Wolves is the pick of this weekend's action in the EFL. The Cottagers sit fifth in the second tier on the back of an 11-match unbeaten run in the league and Slavisa Jokanovic has his side primed for another promotion push after missing out in the play-offs last season. Wolves are destined to be playing Premier League football next season campaign as they sit with a 13-point advantage over third-placed Aston Villa in the automatic promotion places. They have drawn their last couple of matches and I don't think boss Nuno would be unhappy about returning from Craven Cottage with a point. I'm going to go with a goalless first half as the best bet. It has been 0-0 at the break in three of Wolves' last four league matches on the road and both of Fulham's previous two games at home - there should be little in this one.

Saturday afternoon's Sky Bet Championship selection

Sheffield Wednesday to draw with Aston Villa, Sky Bet Championship (Saturday, 1500 GMT)

Sheffield Wednesday host Aston Villa in a clash between two Sky Bet Championship heavyweights on Saturday afternoon. The mid-table Owls have an FA Cup fifth-round replay at Swansea on Tuesday night to think about but I reckon they will grab a draw in this weekend's encounter at Hillsborough. Wednesday have drawn three of their last six matches and Villa were held by Preston in midweek. Villa boss Steve Bruce has impressed by getting his side back in automatic promotion contention but this a tricky clash against Jos Luhukay's sturdy Wednesday.

Saturday afternoon's Sky Bet League One selection

Rotherham to beat Doncaster, Sky Bet League One (Saturday, 1500 GMT)

Rotherham could be backed at odds-against earlier this week to win at home to Doncaster and it's no surprise those prices have been snapped up ahead of Saturday's game. The in-form Millers are now odds-on across the board to get the three points and they are impressing on a 13-match unbeaten run, including winning all of their last six matches. Paul Warne's men have proven me wrong as I expected a season of struggle but their all-action style gives them a real chance to put the pressure on Blackburn, Shrewsbury and Wigan in the automatic promotion race. Doncaster have only won once in their previous 10 games so Rotherham are a clear choice for the win.

Rotherham manager Paul Warne
Rotherham manager Paul Warne

Saturday afternoon's Sky Bet League Two selection

Luton to beat Cheltenham to nil, Sky Bet League Two (Saturday, 1500 GMT)

I've enjoyed success in recent months by backing Luton to win to nil so I will again go for the Hatters to claim victory and keep a clean sheet. Cheltenham take on the Sky Bet League Two leaders at Kenilworth Road on Saturday and I expect the mid-table Robins to fall to a narrow defeat. Luton have won to nil in eight of their previous 10 victories and Nathan Jones has his side primed to keep getting results on the back of strong defensive work.

Friday night's TV game

Billy Sharp to score in Hull v Sheffield United, Sky Bet Championship (Friday, 1945 GMT, Sky Sports Football)

An all-Yorkshire clash between Hull and Sheffield United gets the latest round of Sky Bet Championship matches started for Sky Sports viewers. The Blades can move back into the play-offs with victory over the Tigers and I expect them to just about do that. Billy Sharp, my pre-season pick for top goalscorer in the Championship at 66/1, has netted 11 goals so far this term and I fancy the United striker to score here too. Sharp has three goals in his last three outings and can continue that decent form with another strike at the KCOM Stadium.

Recommended bet

1pt no goals in the first half of Fulham v Wolves at 2/1

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Posted at 1800 GMT on 22/02/17.

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