EFL Saturday tips: Middlesbrough head to Millwall with playoffs still within reach

Blackpool vs Swansea City 

3pm 

Blackpool have sometimes promised more than they have delivered this season, but they remain a serious proposition, particularly at Bloomfield Road, where their fans can create the sort of atmosphere the team seems to rise to. 

Hopes of a playoff challenge foundered during a poor run in December, but recent form has been good enough. 

While striker Jerry Yates’s goals seems to have dried up of late, in Josh Bowler, who was picked up on a free last summer, they have one of the Championship’s most talented players, who chips in with a fair number of goals himself. 

Swansea’s form has been all over the place, as impressive wins over Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City, West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City have been mixed in with heavy defeats to Stoke City, Sheffield United and, on Tuesday, Fulham. 

Anyone can get a pasting from Fulham, but with little to play for, a long trip to Blackpool could be a serious test of Swansea’s ambition for the rest of the season. 

Recommended bet: Blackpool to win to nil @ 3.8

Cardiff City vs Preston North End 

3pm 

It has been a difficult season for Cardiff, who are likely to have another big turnover of players in the close season. They were in dire straits when Steve Morison took over as manager, but, if nothing else, he has built a great fighting spirit at the club and they are no longer in danger of slipping into a relegation scrap. 

Preston are also a side that has moved to safety after a terrible start to the season and at times even flirted with the idea that they might be outside playoff contenders. The win last weekend at home to Bournemouth gave some idea of their potential, although it came two weeks after a home loss to Reading. That might give the idea that they are inconsistent, but one place they are consistent is on the road, where they haven’t lost since early December. 

Cardiff are on a winning run of two, having come from behind to win away to QPR last Saturday, but are solid these days rather than anything else, while Preston will not sacrifice their good away run willingly. 

Recommended bet: Draw @ 3.3

Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder will be hoping his team can bounce back from two defeats when they head to Millwall

Millwall vs Middlesbrough 

3pm 

Millwall could be the Championship’s most unlikely playoff contenders. All season, the club has struggled to get a run of results going, drawing far too many games in the first half of the campaign. Now, however, they are hitting their stride at the right time. 

The Championship is always so tight that a winning run can see a team make dramatic moves up the table and Millwall’s five-match win-streak from the middle of February transformed them from a mid-table side going nowhere to promotion contenders. 

At the same time Middlesbrough, who were transformed under Chris Wilder, have seen their season stall, with defeats to Barnsley and Sheffield United punctuating their impressive FA Cup run. 

The Den is never an easy place to visit, but Middlesbrough can’t afford to leave south-east London with nothing. A tight encounter with few chances looks likely. 

Recommended bet: Draw @ 3.35

Ipswich Town vs Portsmouth 

3pm 

With the race for the League One playoffs heating up, both Ipswich and Portsmouth are in flying form. 

Ipswich, who comfortably beat Lincoln City in midweek, have only lost twice since Christmas, while Portsmouth, who hit a slump over January, have won six and drawn one of their last seven.  

It is going to be a tight battle for the top six. Ipswich are ninth, three points off Plymouth in sixth (although Ipswich have played two games more) and Portsmouth are just two points behind, having played two games fewer. 

Since being relegated to League One in 2019, Ipswich have finish eleventh and ninth. The playoffs this year would represent improvement for a club that has historically been much better. Anything less than the playoffs this season would be seen as a disappointment and Wes Burns and Kayden Jackson seem to be finding form in front of goal. 

Recommended bet: Ipswich to score in both halves @ 3.45

AFC Wimbledon vs Lincoln City 

3pm 

There is no escaping from the fact that AFC Wimbledon are on a terrible run. Not only have they not won a match in 2022, that poor run goes back to December 7 when they last won a match against Fleetwood Town. 

Despite that evidence, though, Wimbledon are not a bad team. Eight of their matches this year have ended in a draw (more than half of their games). But with them sliding towards the League One danger zone, things have to change soon and they can get an elusive win at home to Lincoln City. 

Despite their historic reputation, Wimbledon are not the route one team of legend. Instead they are a young, talented side that, under head coach Mark Robinson, play nice football. What has been the problem has been goals, a problem they looked to rectify by signing Sam Cosgrove on loan from Birmingham City. Sadly, in eight games, he has yet to score. 

Lincoln have been a very in-and-out side. They won away at Plymouth and Sunderland in January, but have lost six out of nine matches since the start of February, although two goals from John Marquis helped them beat Sheffield Wednesday last weekend. 

Wimbledon’s new Plough Lane ground has the potential to be a bit of a cauldron and Wimbledon’s need of a win is getting serious. This could be the weekend for them.  

Recommended bet: AFC Wimbledon to win @ 2.72

Recommended bets

Blackpool to nil @ 3.8

Cardiff-Preston draw @ 3.3

Millwall-Middlesbrough draw @ 3.35

Ipswich score both halves @ 3.45

AFC Wimbledon @ 2.72