Football Tips: Matthew O’Regan’s Saturday EFL Best Bets include a 22/1 treble

7mo ago

We have a reduced EFL slate due to the FA Cup, but that has not stopped Matthew O’Regan from sniffing out plenty of value, including his NAP, Next Best, and best Longshots.

He has also combined his three best EFL bets into a mouthwatering treble.

Norwich v Derby Best Bets

Josh Sargent to score
Josh Sargent 2+ goals
Norwich to win & over 1.5 goals (NAP)

EFL Saturday Betting Tips

Sheffield United v Portsmouth – Thomas Cannon to score
Lincoln City v Cambridge United – Josh Stokes to score
Salford City v Tranmere Rovers – Salford to win

A treble with these bets pays at approximately 22/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

Norwich v Derby

The moods in the two camps couldn’t be more different. Norwich had a stellar January window, signing four young players permanently and one on loan while shifting a couple of high-earners.

Despite recent injury woes and the sale of star player Eiran Cashin, Derby were quiet in the transfer window, angering an already incensed crowd. The Rams have lost eight games in a row in all competitions, including five of their last six on the road.

Only Plymouth have conceded more xGa than Paul Warne’s side away from home, only winning one game.

Norwich, on the other hand, have been strong at Carrow Road, picking up 26 points from 14 and scoring 36 goals in the process. Only league leaders Leeds have scored more home goals and created more xG, so the Canaries will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing a despondent Derby side.

Johannes Hoff Thorup can welcome back players from injury, with the prolific Josh Sargent back amongst the goals after an injury layoff. The 24-year-old started his first game for three months in the 5-1 rout of Swansea, scoring a brace, before scoring the only goal in the 0-1 win at Watford.

Norwich are a much better side with Sargent playing and the Yellows will soon reap the rewards ahead of a late playoff push.

3pm: Sheffield United v Portsmouth – Thomas Cannon to score

Sheffield United are embroiled in a four-way race for the title despite their two-point deduction to start the season. The Blades were abysmal in relegation from the Premier League, accumulating just 16 points and conceding a record 104 goals.

Chris Wilder has tightened up defensively, with his side conceding just 21 goals—the third-fewest in the league. There had been concerns about the Blades’ goalscoring. However, an ambitious transfer window has eradicated these fears, with Ben Brereton Diaz and Thomas Cannon arriving at Bramall Lane.

The signing of Cannon, in particular, is exciting, arriving for a fee of up to £10m after nine goals (0.40 goals per 90) in 22 starts for Stoke while on loan from Leicester.

Portsmouth sit outside the relegation zone thanks to their home form, with the vehement Fratton Park crowd inspiring the side. However, away from home, they have struggled, picking up just seven points and conceding an average of 2.53 goals per game.

John Mousinho’s side have lost seven on the bounce away in all competitions and Cannon will be licking his lips at the prospect of finally firing for the Blades.

Lincoln v Cambridge – Josh Stokes to score

Lincoln are in contention to record the most mid-table, mid-table finish ever. The Imps have won as many games as they have lost (10), while drawing nine games, scoring 35 and conceding 34. While the early signs of the Michael Skubala era were positive, the Lincoln faithful are starting to get frustrated with the football.

While they are five points off the playoffs, a top-six finish seems unlikely. However, a win at home to basement boys Cambridge may inspire some confidence.

Gary Monk was frustrated with the lack of support in the January transfer window, and the Cambridge hierarchy seemingly accepted relegation. The U’s have been left rueing their lack of attacking threat, scoring just 29 goals this season.

Recent draws with Bolton and Wycombe and a win over Mansfield in their last four have inspired some confidence, but there is still a massive mountain to climb. If Cambridge are to survive, the goals of loan star Josh Stokes will be imperative.

The 20-year-old has now been involved in a goal in his last four starts, scoring against Bolton, Mansfield and Wycombe while registering an assist against Rotherham. Stokes caught the eye in his only season at Aldershot, scoring 18 goals in a season and is starting to show this form after swapping Ashton Gate for the Abbey Stadium.

Salford City v Tranmere – Salford to win

Salford were involved in the best game of midweek, coming from 0-3 down to draw 3-3 with Bromley. The third draw in succession for the Ammies made it six games without a win. Despite this blip, Karl Robinson’s side are still in a strong position, sat just two points off the playoffs and five off the automatic places.

At home, Salford have been solid, picking up 26 points from 15. While this record is not to be snuffed at, this bet focuses on the dire straits of the visitors.

Tranmere are just three points clear of the relegation zone after failing to win any of their last five games. No side has taken fewer points (8) away from home than Rovers, conceding 31 goals in 14 while losing their last eight away games on the bounce.

The Tranmere fans are at the end of their tether with Nigel Adkins and a defeat against Salford could mark the end of his tenure at Prenton Park.

Norwich v Derby Best Bets

Josh Sargent to score
Josh Sargent 2+ goals
Norwich to win & over 1.5 goals (NAP)

Saturday’s EFL Betting Tips

Sheffield United v Portsmouth – Thomas Cannon to score
Lincoln City v Cambridge United – Josh Stokes to score
Salford City v Tranmere Rovers – Salford to win