EFL Weekend Tips: Forest can pip Cherries to further boost promotion hopes

Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest

Friday 18 February, 7.45pm

The Cherries can move to within three points of leaders Fulham and establish a seven-point cushion in second with victory at the Vitality Stadium. Scott Parker’s side had an eye-catching transfer window and new arrival Siriki Dembele guided them to their third straight win with an added-time strike at Blackpool. Dembele is at 3.0 to score anytime while 19-goal Dominic Solanke is at 2.26 for anytime goalscorer.

Steve Cooper has rejuvenated Forest and three points will take them fifth. They are at 4.7 for the win which is good value given they have the fourth-best away record. They have only drawn four on the road and a draw is at 3.7. Forest keeper Bryce Samba was sent off last time out while the Cherries had two red cards in as many games - and four overall - and any player to be sent off is at 4.2.

Recommended Bet: Forest to win @ 4.7

Bristol City v Middlesbrough

Saturday 19 February, 3pm

The Robins have lost four of eight games in 2022 and are 12 points off the play-offs. While they have scored 18 goals in their last 10 games, they have conceded 25 and both teams to score and over 2.5 is at 2.4. They have won their last three home games so 3.8 for a home win is good value. A draw is at 3.3.

Chris Wilder has turned Middlesbrough into promotion contenders since taking over in early November. However, they have only won four times on the road. Given the hosts’ form this presents a good opportunity to make it five and a Middlesbrough win is at 2.12 with a draw at 3.3. Joint top scorers Matt Crooks and Andraz Sporar are at 2.96 and 2.42 respectively for anytime goalscorer.

Recommended Bet: A draw @ 3.3

Fulham are the ones to catch at the top of the Championship

Derby County v Peterborough United

Saturday 19 February, 3pm

It is a match Wayne Rooney has described as “huge” with the Rams three points behind their visitors and five off safety. Their form has dropped off in recent weeks with four points from 15 available. Since losing at home in late November, Derby have won four and drawn one at Pride Park and a home win is at 1.98. Top scorer Tom Lawrence is at 3.0 as anytime goalscorer.

Posh have not won a league game since 11 December and have taken two points in the subsequent eight league games. They have won one and drawn one on the road this season and scored eight goals while conceding 42. An unlikely away win is at 4.4. Derby to win to nil is at 2.94. With Dembele leaving for Bournemouth, the onus is on Johnson Clarke-Harris and he is at 3.55 for anytime goalscorer.

Recommended Bet: Derby to win to nil @ 2.94

Rotherham United v Wigan Athletic

 Friday 18 February, 7:45pm

The League One leaders are on a fine run of form of six straight wins without conceding. They are six points clear of their visitors although the Latics have two games in hand albeit with an inferior goal difference. A home win is at 2.04 while Rotherham to win to nil is at 3.0.

With 10 wins and two draws on their travels, only the hosts have a better away record. Wigan have lost just twice on the road and an away win is at 3.85. The Latics have scored the most away goals in League One and they are at 5.2 to score in both halves. Both teams to score and over 2.5 is at 2.48.

Recommeded Bet: Both teams to score and over 2.5 @ 2.48

Newport v Mansfield Town

Saturday 19 February, 3pm

Newport have stuttered with one point from nine games to occupy the last play-off place in League Two. They are at 2.18 to claim their eighth home win. They are joint top scorers at home - with Mansfield - and are at 3.4 to score in both halves.

The Stags have won nine and drawn two of the last 11. They are at 3.35 to claim their fourth away win and with only 10 away goals they are at 3.15 to score over 1.5.

Recommended Bet: Newport to win @ 2.18.

Recommended Bets

Forest to win @ 4.7

Bristol City v Middlesbrough - a draw @ 3.3

Derby to win to nil @ 2.94

Rotherham v Wigan - both teams to score and over 2.5 @ 2.48

Newport to win @ 2.18