EFL weekend tips: Forest and Blades set for playoff place battle

We could be in store for another thrilling weekend of EFL action with key games at the top and bottom of all three divisions. Here’s our selection of the best bets.

Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest

Friday 4 March, 7.45pm, Sky Sports Football

Sheffield United dropped out of the playoff places after going down to their first defeat in 10 games against Millwall. The Blades have won four straight home games and are at 2.04 to claim all three points. Paul Heckingbottom’s side have not conceded in seven matches at Bramall Lane and are at 2.98 to win with a clean sheet. A draw is at 3.4.

Forest are two places and two points behind their hosts and returned to winning ways against Bristol City. They have won seven on the road and are 4.3 to win. They have only conceded 13 away all season and are 3.7 to keep a clean sheet. Brennan Johnson has scored four in five games in all competitions and he's 3.75 to score anytime.

Recommended Bet: A draw @ 3.4

Derby vs Barnsley

Saturday 5 March, 3pm

Derby’s hopes of avoiding relegation have receded in recent weeks and off-field problems continue to rumble on. Wayne Rooney’s side are eight points from safety after losing four of their last five games. They need a victory if they are to stand any hope of surviving and are 2.1 to get it.

Barnsley had appeared doomed, but three wins in the last four have moved them within six points of fourth-bottom Reading with a game in hand. The South Yorkshire side are at 3.95 to claim only their second away win of the season. Amine Bassi has scored two in five games and is 4.5 to score anytime.

Recommended Bet: Barnsley to win @ 3.95

Sheffield United's Billy Sharp will be aiming to get on the scoresheet when the Blades host Nottingham Forest on Friday night

Middlesbrough vs Luton

Saturday 5 March, 3pm

Chris Wilder has sprinkled his magic dust at the Riverside with his team moving through to the FA Cup quarter-finals thanks to a midweek win over Tottenham. They have lost two of their last three league games though, and sit eighth, but they have won 11 home matches and are at 1.92 for another.

The Hatters have found form at exactly the right time with five wins in six league games to move sixth. They are at 4.3 for the win, with a draw at 3.55.

Recommended Bet: A draw @ 3.55

Lincoln vs Sheffield Wednesday

Saturday 5 March, 3pm

The Imps are four points above the League One drop zone, and are on a woeful run with four points from seven games. They are 3.3 to claim their fifth home win of the season with a draw at 3.25.

Sheffield Wednesday by contrast have found form just at the right time with eight wins in 10 firing them to within eight points of the automatic promotion places. They are at 2.28 to win. The Owls have scored 10 in their last three games, and are 3.75 to win with over 2.5 goals.

Recommended Bet: Sheff Wed to win/over 2.5 goals @ 3.75

Northampton vs Tranmere

Saturday 5 March, 3pm

This match pits second in League Two against third with just one point separating the sides. The Cobblers have stuttered in recent weeks with one victory in five, and are 2.2 for the win. They have only conceded 11 at home this season and a win to nil is at 3.15.

Tranmere have also wobbled with one point from four games, and their away form does not inspire with four wins on the road and only 12 goals scored, the same as bottom club Scunthorpe. A draw is 3.1 and an away win 3.35.

Recommended Bet: Northampton to win to nil @ 3.15

Recommended Bets:

Sheff Utd/Forest draw @ 3.4

Barnsley @ 3.95

Middlesbrough/Luton draw @ 3.55

Sheff Wed and over 2.5 goals @ 3.75

Northampton win to nil @ 3.15