Sky Bet EFL: Match previews and best bets for fixtures on Saturday October 12
Despite the international break, there's still action in Sky Bet League One and League Two. Tom Carnduff has three best bets.
Recommended bets
1pt Mohamed Eisa to score two or more goals in Peterborough v Lincoln at 9/1
1pt Ivan Toney to score two or more goals in Peterborough v Lincoln at 9/1
2pts Cambridge to beat Salford at 21/10
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Peterborough v Lincoln
That's right, we're talking about Peterborough again.
They were the outright selection in this division at the start of the season and while they may sit seventh after eleven games, there's no doubting the entertainment their games have been providing.
Four of their last five Sky Bet League One games have seen over 3.5 goals, with two of those contests have six goals each.
Posh season ticket holders are certainly getting value for money. Each of their five League One contests have had over 2.5 goals, which over 3.5 being hit on four of those occasions.
Goals are always good, particularly for the neutral and even more so for the punter. Darren Ferguson's men are showing no signs of slowing down and the goal-heavy run should continue as they welcome Lincoln.
Goals have been a feature of this Imps side, particularly since the managerial change. Their last three league games in charge have brought scorelines of 0-6, 1-2 and 2-0.
The fact that three players have six or more goals for Peterborough this season shows the value is there in the goalscorer market. Mohamed Eisa and Ivan Toney are battling each other for the top goalscorer accolade as the striking duo sit on nine goals each.
For that extra value though, my eye was caught by the 9/1 available as individual bets on either of the above to net a brace in this contest.
Peterborough will be eyeing this up as a game which will see more added to their 'goals for' column. Lincoln have failed to win in any of their last six away in all competitions, conceding two or more goals in five of those games.
Best bet: Mohamed Eisa to score two or more goals at 9/1
Best bet: Ivan Toney to score two or more goals at 9/1
Opta facts
- This will be the first league meeting between Peterborough and Lincoln since March 2008, the Posh winning 4-0 at home in the fourth tier.
- Lincoln have only won one of their last eight league trips to Peterborough (D3 L4), a 2-1 victory in December 2006.
- Since keeping four successive clean sheets in the league, Peterborough have conceded nine in the following four matches, conceding 2+ per game.
- Lincoln have picked up just one point in their last five league away games (D1 L4), their worst winless run on the road since March 2018 (six games).
- Peterborough striker Mohamed Eisa has scored nine goals in his last nine league appearances, as well as assisting once.
Bristol Rovers v MK Dons
A nice little exclusive for you - Bristol Rovers will be a part of this week's Sporting Life Accumulator. Ground-breaking information, I know.
They are there for good reason though. Rovers have been in a fantastic run of form with four wins from their last five in all competition - the only time they have dropped points being a 1-1 draw with Gillingham.
They boast one of the best home records in Sky Bet League One having gone unbeaten in front of their own fans during their six contests at the Memorial Stadium this season.
In MK Dons, they come up against a team who have struggled on the road. Paul Tisdale's men have managed just one win in their four away, the other three ending in defeat.
Not only is their away form poor, but so too is their recent efforts with four consecutive defeats in the league. The narrow 1-0 win over Fulham's under-21s side in the Leasing.com Trophy has at least given them one win in previous weeks.
A victory could move the hosts into the play-off positions, a situation they will more than take with 12 games on the board.
Given that all of MK Dons' league away games so far have seen three or more goals there is a temptation to back a home win with over 2.5 goals - and it is there at 2/1 if you fancy it - but I'm more than happy with the value on offer in the 11/10 in the outright market.
Best bet: Bristol Rovers to win at 11/10
Opta facts
- Bristol Rovers are unbeaten in their last four league games against MK Dons (W2 D2), winning both home and away when the last met in the 2017-18 League One campaign.
- MK Dons have failed to score in each of their last three league encounters with Bristol Rovers, including each of their last two trips to the Memorial Stadium.
- Bristol Rovers have lost just one of their last eight league games (W5 D2), with the Gas currently on a five-game unbeaten streak (W3 D2).
- MK Dons have lost each of their last four league matches, their longest run of defeats since April 2018 (six losses).
- Bristol Rovers striker Jonson Clarke-Harris has found the net in six of his last eight league appearances, netting a total of seven goals.
Salford v Cambridge
Into Sky Bet League Two now and there is value in backing another outright result here, and that's Cambridge to get the better of Salford.
Salford cruised through non-league level to reach Football League level but have found life in England's fourth tier difficult. They have just three wins from their 12 contests.
Cambridge may only sit two points ahead of Salford in the standings, but their away form makes for pleasing reading.
The U's have the third best record on the road in the division with just one away loss so far. They have bounced back with two wins and a draw since then.
They can draw confidence from that form away, but a look towards Salford's home record also makes you question that 21/10 price on a Cambridge win here.
Graham Alexander's men have seen just two wins in front of their own supporters and have managed to collect eight points from a possible 18. That puts them 15th in the home standings.
Given the contrasting forms it's worth taking the price available on an away win. Cambridge may also be a team to include in the weekend accumulators to boost the odds.
Best bet: Cambridge to beat Salford at 21/10
Opta facts
- Salford will become Cambridge’s 104th different opponent in the Football League – United have won two of their last three matches against sides they’ve come up against for the first time in the English Football League (L1).
- Salford will be aiming to pick up back to back league victories for the first time in the EFL, following their 3-0 victory against Walsall last time out.
- Cambridge have lost just one of their last seven league games on the road (W3 D3), a 1-0 defeat against Port Vale (P3 W2 D1 L0 since).
- Only Cheltenham’s Gavin Reilly (19) has conceded more fouls without receiving a single booking in League Two this season than Cambridge’s Marc Richards (18).
- Four of Salford’s five League Two goals scored at Moor Lane this season have come from set-piece situations (x2 free kicks, x1 direct free kick and x1 throw).
Odds correct as of 1715 BST on 10/10/19
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