EFL weekend tips: Preston and Bristol City can provide goals

While there may be no Premier League action this weekend, there's a full programme in the three EFL leagues, so we've picked out two games from each division that are worth your attention.

Preston vs Bristol City

While this may not be a table-topping crunch clash or a relegation six-pointer, what we like about this match-up is its almost unprecedented Both Teams To Score (BTTS) potential.

If you'd backed BTTS in Bristol City's last six games, no fewer than every single one of them would have lined your pockets.

And the good news doesn't end there because four of Preston's last six fixtures have also seen both sides scoring, and at 1.92 it's almost too good to be true.

Additionally, the Robins have lost seven of their last 10 away games, and there have been more than 2.5 goals in each of their last six matches, which means the 4.2 about Preston winning and BTTS looks rather attractive from where we're sitting. 

Tip: back BTTS at 1.92

Luton vs Blackburn

Blackburn have been very kind to traders recently, with a run of 25 points from their last 30 meaning they've proved to be reliable to back.

Although they lost to Hull recently, they bounced back with victory over in-form Middlesbrough, underlining their promotion credentials.

Keeping all that in mind, and the fact they have four clean sheets out of their last six, a Rovers win to nil is very tempting at a generous-looking 5.2.

That said, Luton are no pushovers at Kenilworth Road, having won three of their last six at home, so perhaps the safe play here is to back the draw at 3.35 with a saver on BTTS at 1.95

Tip: back the draw at 3.35 with a saver on BTTS at 1.95

Blackburn's Ben Brereton-Diaz will be hoping to be on target again when Rovers travel to Luton on Saturday

Portsmouth vs Charlton

We'll keep this one simple. Portsmouth have kept clean sheets in half, yes half, of their 26 league matches so far this season.

On top of that whopper, Pompey have only lost one of their last six at Fratton Park (including three wins) and take on a Charlton side with only one win in their last six away from home.

Which all adds up to us advising a play on a Portsmouth win to nil at 3.3. Told you it was simple.

Tip: Back Portsmouth to win to nil at 3.3

Cheltenham vs Wigan

Wigan are flying high at the top of League One, picking up a rather marvellous 16 points from their last six games, and they should extend that run to 19 from seven when they travel to the west of the country.

Remarkably, in that run, Wigan have failed to keep a single clean sheet, while both teams have scored in all six matches, which is why we'd recommend backing an away win and BTTS in this one, which is currently trading at a lovely 4.1. 

Tip: Back Wigan and BTTS at 4.1

Mansfield vs Leyton Orient

Never look a gift horse in the mouth, they say, and you should keep that in mind when considering that Nigel Clough's Mansfield have taken a frankly ridiculous 30 points from the last available 33, to rise from a relegation scrap into the playoff zone.

Leyton Orient, on the other hand, seem to be travelling in the opposite direction after a promising start to the campaign under Kenny Jackett. Injuries and a lack of any league fixture for more than a month seems to sent the O's spiralling, and it's hard to see them leaving the Midlands with more than a post-match handshake - especially when you consider they haven't tasted success on the road since September, a run of seven games.

While it would be typical of League Two for Orient to turn the form book on its head and win this one (at 3.35 it's not even nearly worth it), we'd recommend taking the contextually generous 2.44 on offer for a home win.

Tip: Back Mansfield at 2.44

Tranmere vs Forest Green

A summit meeting between first and second on the face of it, but Forest Green have been streets ahead of every team in League Two this season, and currently lead their hosts on Saturday by seven points with a game in hand.

Tranmere have cruised into second spot almost unnoticed thanks to a run of five wins in six during which they've also kept five clean sheets.

Having said that, the leaders are the division's leading scorers, averaging more than two goals per game, so while we can see this one being tight, we can't see another Tranmere clean sheet, so we'll play it safe and back both teams to score at 1.95. 

Tip: Both teams to score at 1.95