Saturday 16 February 2019 09:53, UK
David Prutton returns with his Sky Bet EFL predictions ahead of the weekend fixtures, but who is he tipping for victory?
Southend are halfway between the play-offs and the relegation zone in terms of league position, but points wise they are far closer to the bottom four, and a poor run of results has seen them drift slightly closer to relegation danger.
Portsmouth are five without a win now and are starting to lose ground on the sides above them in the battle for automatic promotion. I reckon this will be a draw.
Prutton predicts: 2-2 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
Blackburn were looking like they could kick on and push for the play-offs a couple of weeks ago, but three defeats on the spin have left them right back in mid-table.
Middlesbrough just cannot get any form of consistency going, and their defence could suffer from an injury to Aden Flint and a suspension for Daniel Ayala. Home win.
Prutton predicts: 2-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
Rotherham looked down and out at Hull in midweek but they rallied superbly in the second half and could easily have claimed all three points. Paul Warne's side may not be the most talented but they have exceptional fight and spirit.
It's three unbeaten for Steve Bruce at Sheffield Wednesday. They have only scored one goal in that time but he looks to have fixed a defence that was leaking goals at an alarming rate earlier in the season. I fancy them to sneak this one.
Prutton predicts: 0-1 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
It would have hurt Dean Smith a lot to be beaten on his return to Griffin Park in midweek, but he needs to move on quickly and focus on Saturday.
West Brom got a fortunate draw against Nottingham Forest but they need to get on a winning run if they are to push up and threaten the top two. This will be a tight game but I reckon the Baggies will nick the three points.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
What an enormous victory that was for Bolton at Birmingham on Tuesday night, and a rare clean sheet for Phil Parkinson's side to boot!
Norwich came unstuck at Preston in midweek, but they will not be the last side to suffer at Deepdale this season. They should bounce back here.
Prutton predicts: 0-2 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
Ipswich were not as bad as the scoreline looked at Norwich last weekend and they did well to battle to a point against Derby in midweek. Good performances and draws are not enough for them at this stage, though.
Stoke ended their losing run with a draw at Wigan on Wednesday but they don't look that threatening in front of goal at the moment. Score draw for me.
Prutton predicts: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Preston were terrific against Norwich on Wednesday night. They did not have a huge amount of chances but they were absolutely clinical when they did, and Alex Neil would have been delighted to get one over his old side.
Nottingham Forest will have felt very hard done by not to win at West Brom in midweek but performances are slowly improving under Martin O'Neill. That being said, I think Preston will be too good for them at home.
Prutton predicts: 2-1 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Sheffield United responded brilliantly to their setback at Aston Villa by battling past Middlesbrough in midweek, and even got a goal from an unlikely source in Richard Stearman!
Reading got a big win as they saw off Blackburn to haul themselves out of the relegation zone. They are unbeaten in four but that run will likely end at Bramall Lane.
Prutton predicts: 2-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
