Wednesday 11 April 2018 09:20, UK
David Prutton returns with his Sky Bet EFL predictions ahead of the midweek round of matches, but who is he tipping for victory? Find out here...
How much will the manner of Cardiff's defeat at Wolves impact them going forward? Suddenly the gap between themselves and Fulham is just two points, and even though Neil Warnock's side have a game in hand it would still be a huge blow to find themselves outside of the top two.
Aston Villa would have hoped to be the side doing the chasing, but one win in five seems to have left them with two much to do. Victory is essential for them on Tuesday night but I think Cardiff will get back to winning ways here.
Prutton predicts: 0-2 with Gary Madine to score first (55/1 with Sky Bet)
What a big win that was for Wolves against Cardiff on Friday night. To survive two late penalties just shows that it's their year and it shouldn't be too long before they seal promotion and then the title.
Derby have two wins in a row, which is massive for them after their poor run before that. They would rather go pretty much anywhere than Molineux at the moment, though. Home win for me.
Prutton predicts: 2-0 with Ruben Neves to score first (33/1 with Sky Bet)
Fulham just don't look like they know how to lose anymore. Their last defeat came back in mid-December and that was against Sunderland!
Paul Clement has two wins in three and he has Reading heading on the path to safety. They're not quite out of the woods yet, but I can't see them getting anything from Craven Cottage.
Prutton predicts: 2-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
It's a real shame that Mick McCarthy's five-year tenure at Ipswich is ending this way. Both the players and himself just look like they want the season to end as quickly as possible.
It's the time of year where you want to face sides with nothing to play for, and Barnsley will have real hope of picking up another big win here, like they did against Sheffield United on Saturday. But I fancy Ipswich to edge this one.
Prutton predicts: 2-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
Sheffield United need a win here or you feel it will be curtains on their play-off hopes. There are four points between them and Middlesbrough in sixth, and a draw or defeat would probably leave them with too much ground to make up.
Boro will be aware, however, that if they are beaten then it will provide a real lift to the chasing pack. The Blades will absolutely go for it because they have to, Score draw.
Prutton predicts: 1-1 (9/2 with Sky Bet)
Bolton are right back in trouble. It shouldn't be forgotten, however, that there was a stage in the Autumn when everyone had written them off entirely, so for them to be outside the relegation zone at this stage with a good chance of survival is almost remarkable in itself.
Millwall, meanwhile, look relentless. Their run since the turn of the year has been incredible and it's hard to see them losing a game. Bolton, however, will be desperate for at least a point, and I reckon they'll get one.
Prutton predicts: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
After three emphatic wins in a row, Lee Bowyer finally tasted what it was like not to be victorious as a manager on Saturday. But Charlton are still well-placed for the play-offs and this is a good chance for them to put some distance between themselves and the chasing sides.
AFC Wimbledon led for so long against Scunthorpe at the weekend and it would have been crushing to concede that late equaliser. The Dons desperately need a win, but I think Charlton will have too much for them.
Prutton predicts: 0-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Chesterfield are bottom of the table, but have at least two games in hand on all the sides above them. Losing to Grimsby at the weekend was tough for them, and they could really use three points here.
Those three points would probably be just about enough to guarantee Morecambe's safety, but they'll know a defeat will really tighten things up down at the bottom. This, however, is a draw for me
Prutton predicts: 1-1 (9/2 with Sky Bet)
