5 things to watch for in the EFL – Matchday 34

All eyes will probably be on Wembley on Sunday as both Newcastle or Manchester United will raise the primary piece home of silverware this season within the EFL Cup last.

However we’ve acquired a full EFL fixture listing to sit up for, with loads of intriguing video games throughout the divisions which imply a lot to so many. It’s not simply the Championship that has a congested mid-table, as Leagues One and Two see loads of groups within the hunt for a play-off spot.

With loads to digest, listed below are 5 issues that you need to be careful for within the Soccer League this weekend.

Take a look at all the most recent Soccer League betting at William Hill.

Sky Blues to maintain play-off hopes alive?

The EFL motion kicks off within the West Midlands when Coventry welcome play-off chasing Sunderland to the CBS Enviornment.

The Sky Blues have gained their final two league video games to nil, which has helped preserve them on the periphery of the highest six, sitting 5 factors away. A win right here may assist to scale back that hole, whereas they’d near inside a degree of their opponents.

And Coventry are unbeaten of their final 5 in opposition to Sunderland (W2 D3) after the edges performed out a 1-1 draw on the Stadium of Gentle in July. In the meantime, the Black Cats are winless in 9 visits to Coventry (D4 L5). Mark Robins and his facet are 5/4 to win, whereas the draw is 21/10.

Sunderland have had a few slip-ups throughout the final week. After conceding a stoppage-time penalty to attract in opposition to Bristol Metropolis, the Black Cats misplaced 2-1 at struggling Rotherham to overlook out on climbing into the play-off locations.

Their ahead points have been nicely documented, however the Black Cats nonetheless have a few of the hearth energy that has seen them rating 48 league objectives this season – solely the highest three have extra. Whereas solely Boro (30) and Burnley (28) have scored extra away objectives than the Black Cats (27).

Jack Clarke put Sunderland into the lead when the edges met on the opening weekend. And the attacker scored twice at QPR the opposite week. He’s 15/2 to seize the opener once more, whereas you may get 15/4 on him to attain anytime and take his tally to eight.

The Blades to return to type?

Again-to-back defeats have seen Sheffield Utd’s sturdy grip on second loosen considerably. And a house sport in opposition to seventh-placed Watford will probably be a stern take a look at to take care of their league place.

The Blades have been pretty sturdy at residence, shedding simply three of 16 video games. That’s a part of the rationale you possibly can again them at 4/5 to win. But it surely’s additionally as a result of they rating loads at Bramall Lane.

Solely leaders Burnley (36) have scored extra in residence video games than Paul Heckingbottom’s facet (34). Whereas they’re defensively stable, with solely Coventry (15) protecting extra clear sheets than their 13. For those who rating objectives and preserve clear sheets, you’re onto a profitable formulation.

Watford ended a three-game drawing streak on Monday, beating 3-2 West Brom in an entertaining encounter that noticed Ken Sema rating twice. Now, they appear to increase their unbeaten run to 5.

The Hornets haven’t misplaced in any of their final six in opposition to Sheffield Utd (W4 D2) and are 10/3 to win at Bramall Lane, with the factors being shared at 5/2.

Going again to August when the edges met at Vicarage Street, Joao Pedro scored the one purpose of the sport. Watford’s joint-top scorer is 7/1 to strike first and 10/3 to search out the web at any time.

Swans to see off the Millers?

This spherical of fixtures wraps up in South Wales on Monday evening when Swansea host Rotherham. These two sides each performed in midweek with contrasting fortunes. Rotherham beat Sunderland 2-1, whereas Swansea fell to a 3-1 defeat by the hands of Stoke.

The strain is now on Russell Martin after his facet have gained simply certainly one of their final 5 league video games (L4). However the Swans have overwhelmed Rotherham on their final two visits to the Liberty Stadium – 4-3 in 2019 and 1-0 in 2020 – and the hosts are odds-on to report one other win in opposition to them right here.

Rotherham have a five-point buffer above the relegation zone after Tuesday’s vital win, however Matt Taylor will need his gamers to again up that victory with one other stable displaying.

Nevertheless, the South Yorkshire membership have solely gained consecutive video games as soon as this season, whereas their away report leaves quite a bit to be desired. They’ve solely picked up two wins on the highway, with solely Huddersfield (10) and Studying (11) accumulating fewer away factors (13).

Get 9/2 on a Rotherham win, whereas the draw is priced at 27/10. The spoils have been shared when the edges met earlier within the season, with each groups scoring within the first half. A repeat of that’s 7/2.

Rams to show powerful to beat at Oakwell?

Issues are heating up in League One as nicely, with the sport at Oakwell pitting sixth-placed Barnsley up in opposition to Derby, who sit only one place and one level forward of them.

During the last six league video games, Barnsley prime the division’s type desk with 5 wins and a draw. In the meantime, in that point, Derby have picked up 4 wins (D1 L1).

A decent defence has been key to the Tykes of late, conceding simply 4 objectives in these final six. And the hosts might want to stand agency in the event that they need to make it 4 wins on the bounce – one thing they’re 9/5 to do.

Nevertheless, Derby have been a tricky facet to beat beneath Paul Warne. The Rams have additionally gained 9 of their 15 league conferences with Barnsley (D3 L3). That features Derby’s 2-1 win at Delight Park in August, whereas the Rams ran out 3-0 winners when the edges met within the FA Cup third spherical final month.

Derby have saved 14 cleans sheets to this point, together with final weekend of their 2-0 win over Charlton. Though, eight of these have come on their travels. We’ll pay out at 8/5 on three factors to the Rams.

League Two play-off race within the stability

Dropping into League Two sees one other sport that brings the play-off image firmly into the highlight. That’s on the One Name Stadium when Mansfield host Salford.

After a bit wobble, Mansfield are unbeaten of their final six (W4 D2), scoring 14 objectives in that run. Nigel Clough’s males have climbed into sixth on the again of it and are actually simply three factors behind Carlisle within the last automated promotion place – one thing they’ll eye as much as keep away from the identical heartache as final season.

Solely Stevenage (29) have scored extra residence league objectives than Mansfield (27), whereas the Stags have solely slipped to 3 defeats in entrance of their residence followers. It’s 19/20 that the hosts declare all three factors.

Salford are a spot and three factors behind Mansfield after failing to win any of their final three (D1 L2). After taking an early lead at residence to Swindon final weekend, they slumped to a 2-1 defeat, permitting these under them to scale back the hole.

The Ammies are additionally with no win in 4 on the highway since they beat Grimsby 4-1 in December however will look again to the beginning of the season after they beat Mansfield 2-0 on the Peninsula Stadium. Salford are 11/4 to do the double over the Stags.

For the most recent sports activities betting odds and information, go to information.williamhill.com