EFL Saturday tips: Norwich begin quest for third Championship title in five seasons

The start of the 2022/23 EFL season is upon us, so here are our top tips for Saturday’s Championship, League One and League Two action.

Cardiff City vs Norwich City

Championship, 3pm

The last few years suggest Norwich are too good for the Championship but not good enough for the Premier League. They will certainly hope that the first part of that statement proves to be true this season, as the Canaries eye an instant return to the top tier.

A well-run club at this level, Norwich have had a relatively quiet summer and will be relying on established players like Teemu Pukki, Max Aarons and Grant Hanley to do the business once more.

Cardiff struggled last term, finishing just a few places above the relegation zone, and this looks set to be a difficult start to 2022/23. The difference in quality could be evident early on, with Norwich likely to assert themselves from the first whistle.

Recommended bet: Norwich to win first half @ 2.94

Luton Town vs Birmingham City

Championship, 3pm

Luton were one of the surprise packages of the Championship season last time out, finishing sixth and only narrowly losing to Huddersfield Town in the playoff semi-finals. The Hatters do not have the biggest budget in the division but they will hope that smart recruitment and astute coaching can enable them to be in the playoff mix once again.

Birmingham have altogether more modest ambitions – at 2.76, our traders consider the Blues to be the second-favourites for the drop, behind only Rotherham United. A home win is the way to go in this one.

Recommended bet: Luton to win @ 1.94

Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder begins his first full season in charge at the Riverside against West Brom on Saturday evening

Middlesbrough vs West Bromwich Albion

Championship, 5.30pm, Sky Sports

Middlesbrough will expect to be there or thereabouts when promotion is decided next spring. This will be Chris Wilder’s first full season in charge at the Riverside Stadium, and the former Sheffield United boss knows what it takes to get out of this division.

West Brom, under Steve Bruce, are also among the leading candidates to go up, though, so this will not be a straightforward start for Boro. Both teams will be looking to make a statement of intent against a potential promotion rival, which is why we fancy this to be an entertaining match featuring at least three goals.

Recommended bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.95

Derby County vs Oxford United

League One, 3pm

With David Clowes in the directors’ box and Liam Rosenoir in the dugout, Derby’s new chapter will begin in earnest on Saturday. At one point earlier this summer it looked like avoiding another relegation would make for a successful season at Pride Park, but hopes have been raised that Derby can challenge for an instant return to the second tier.

Oxford, you feel, would settle for a point in this one. Pride Park will be buzzing and Derby will back themselves to get off to a winning start in League One.

Recommended bet: Derby to win @ 2.24

Bradford City vs Doncaster Rovers

League Two, 3pm

Mark Hughes’ decision to join Bradford was among the most surprising moments of last season, but the Welshman is unlikely to stick around unless he feels the Bantams are capable of climbing up the leagues. Anything less than promotion this term would be a huge disappointment.

Doncaster have received less attention in pre-season but they too will be targeting a top-three finish following relegation last time out. Both teams to score is the way to go here.

Recommended bet: Both teams to score @ 1.87

Recommended bets

Norwich HT @ 2.94

Luton @ 1.94

Boro/WBA over 2.5 @ 1.95

Derby @ 2.24

Bradford/Doncaster BTTS @ 1.87