Jamie Griffith’s selections for Saturday’s EFL games include goals at both ends at Turf Moor and a Wrexham player to find the net.
England’s three Football League divisions are beginning to take shape with almost a quarter of the season gone already.
Sunderland, Birmingham and Gillingham are leading the way in the Championship, League One and League Two respectively and all will be hoping to continue their fine form before the second international break of the season arrives.
We have picked out three top tips to consider in the EFL this Saturday, including one from the Championship where there is a Lancashire derby to get stuck into.
Both teams to score in Burnley v Preston
19/20
If the first two Lancashire derbies of the season are anything to go by, Saturday’s clash between Burnley and Preston could be a feisty affair.
There were 12 cards in the Clarets’ clash with Blackburn and 11 in North End’s meeting with Rovers. If the cards flow again, the numerous free-kicks and potential dismissals could produce goals at Turf Moor too.
Scott Parker’s men are warm favourites for the match but could have to work hard for maximum points against improving Preston. North End have scored 13 goals in eight games under Paul Heckingbottom after managing just two in the eight matches prior to his arrival.
That upturn in goals could see Preston give their rivals a tough test on Saturday, making both teams to score – which has landed in three of the last five meetings between the pair – the standout selection for this Lancashire derby.
Elliott Lee to score in Wrexham v Northampton
9/4
Wrexham are second in League One after making a strong start to the campaign. And although they lost to Stevenage in the week, they will be confident of bouncing back to form when they host Northampton on Saturday, given that their visitors have lost three of their last four matches.
The Cobblers shipped four goals in a home defeat to Bolton on Tuesday and that leaky defence could allow the Red Dragons to rack up a decent tally at the Racecourse Ground.
Wrexham have plenty of attacking talent, but midfielder Elliott Lee appeals most for a goalscorer bet in this clash given his exceptional home record this term.
Lee has netted in the Red Dragons’ last three matches in front of his home fans and is a big price to punish a weak defence and send the Racecourse into raptures again this weekend.
Colchester to beat Carlisle
19/20
An immediate return to League One for Carlisle was predicted by many prior to the season’s start – the Cumbrians were fifth in the League Two title market before a ball was kicked. But after nine games, those hopes have yet to come to fruition.
Carlisle are 22nd in the fourth tier having lost seven of their opening nine games and given that they have been defeated in 12 of their last 16 away matches, it is difficult to see them enjoying their long trip to Essex on Saturday.
Colchester have been inconsistent this term, taking a mediocre ten points from the first 30 available. But there have been occasional glimpses of their ability, most recently when drawing 1-1 with promotion-chasing Port Vale on Tuesday.
The U’s beat MK Dons and Tranmere in their last two home games and should have too much for Carlisle, who have the league’s worst defensive record having shipped 19 goals already this term.
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