EFL weekend tips: Sharp Blades can tame Terriers

Huddersfield vs Sheffield United

Saturday 12 February, 12:30pm

The Terriers are one of the surprise packages of the season and start the match four points and five places above their visitors in fifth. They are unbeaten in 11 games since they last lost on 27 November. Six of those matches have ended in a stalemate with only Preston and Derby having drawn more. A draw is at 3.35, with a 1-1 draw at 6.6.

Paul Heckingbottom’s team have moved up the table with four straight wins and conceded once. They have won seven times on the road and are at 2.3 to take all three points. Billy Sharp has scored four in as many games and is at 2.72 to score any time. David McGoldrick went off injured in midweek so Daniel Jebbison may play and the 18-year-old is at 3.5 to score any time.

Tip: Back the draw @ 3.35

Nottingham Forest vs Stoke City

Saturday 12 February, 3pm

Steve Cooper has transformed Forest since he took over in September with the Reds bottom of the Championship. They have won four in five including an impressive victory at Blackburn in midweek. Key to their form is Brennan Johnson who has scored three in four games and he is at 3.7 as anytime goalscorer. Forest to win and both teams to score is at 5.3.

Stoke start the match at the City Ground 11^th but only four points off the top six. Their league form has been patchy of late and a draw is at 3.2. They have conceded only 14 goals on the road – the joint-second lowest in the division and a Potters clean sheet is at 3.05.

Tip: Forest to win and both teams to score @ 5.3

Reading vs Coventry City

Saturday 12 February, 3pm

The Royals are on relegation form and are hovering two points above the drop zone. Their last win came on 27 November since when they have taken two points from nine games and lost six on the bounce. They are desperate to claim their fifth home victory of the season and are at 3.4 to win.

The Sky Blues are 11^th, five points off the play-offs, and also need to win if they are to reignite their push for the top six. However, one win in four has seen them slip down the table. They have won three on the road all season and a draw is at 3.45.

Tip: A draw @ 3.45

Sheffield Wednesday v Rotherham United

Sunday 13 February, 12pm

Sheffield Wednesday are lurking outside the League One play-offs following a run of four straight wins. The Owls have not conceded during their winning run and given they are tight at the back and efficient, rather than prolific, up front, it promises to be a tight match. A draw is at 3.05.

Rotherham are nine points clear at the top and looking increasingly likely to make an instant return to the second tier. They won at AFC Wimbledon last time out to make it five successive victories without conceding, and have let in just five on the road all season. Rotherham to win and both teams to score is at 4.9.

Tip: Rotherham to win and both teams to score @ 4.9

Colchester United v Carlisle United

Saturday 12 February, 3pm

Fifth-bottom Colchester are too close to the League Two relegation zone for comfort. They picked up in recent weeks only to lose against Mansfield last time out. They have not won at home in four league outings and a draw is at 3.1.

Carlisle are fighting for their Football League lives. Keith Millen’s side are third bottom, two points above the drop zone. They have lost four straight matches although they won two on the road before their current nosedive. They are at 3.15 for the win.  

Tip: Back the draw @ 3.1