Prutton is backing wins for Leeds, Sheffield United and Aston Villa in the Sky Bet Championship this weekend.
Wednesday 24 October 2018 10:22, UK
David Prutton returns with his Sky Bet EFL predictions ahead of the weekend fixtures, but who is he tipping for victory?
It's so tight in the packing chasing the play-offs right now that a couple of wins or defeats on the spin could have any team up in the top six or down in the bottom half. Blackburn have impressed at times this season but too many draws and a lack of back-to-back wins have them bouncing around in mid-table.
Leeds' injury problems appear to have slightly caught up with them and they start the weekend outside of the top two for the first time this season. If Kemar Roofe and Pablo Hernandez return then that would be massive for them, and if they do I think they'll sneak a win at Ewood Park.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
That win against Manchester United will seem like a long time ago now for Derby as they have failed to win their last three in the Championship. They've got an exciting trip to Chelsea to come, which will be huge for Frank Lampard for obvious reasons, but they need to focus on their league form first.
Sheffield United are the best team in the league at the moment and are flying again under Chris Wilder. He will send his side out for victory, as ever, and the Blades could well make it five wins in a row.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
What a massive occasion this will be for Dean Smith! His first game in charge of his boyhood club at Villa Park against tough opposition should make for a fantastic encounter, and he'll be desperate to get off to a winning start.
Swansea have struggled for consistency so far this season and managed to lose at home to Ipswich before the international break, and it will seem like forever that Graham Potter has had to dwell on that defeat. I'm going to back Smith to get off to a perfect start.
Prutton predicts: 3-1 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
No side has lost fewer games than Nottingham Forest in the Championship this season, but they have also drawn the second most with seven, which is why they start the weekend in the play-off places rather than the top two.
Norwich's fantastic run came to a shuddering halt against Stoke a couple of weeks ago and they'll be keen to get back to winning ways at the City Ground. Score draw.
Prutton predicts: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Have Stoke finally turned a corner? It was a very frustrating time for the international break to come around for Gary Rowett because they finally won back-to-back games and have now had to wait a fortnight for this one!
Birmingham are another side to have drawn a few too many times this season, but even though they are 17th in the table they are as many points off the play-offs as they are above the relegation zone. I reckon Garry Monk could turn up with Rowett's old side and frustrate them in the Potteries.
Prutton predicts: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Plymouth were abject in their defeat to Oxford and any hopes that they were back on an upward curve after their first win of the season the week before were quickly quelled.
Burton got back to winning ways against Bristol Rovers but have picked up just a single point on the road all season. This is a massive opportunity for Argyle to try and lift themselves off the bottom of the table but I think both sides will be desperate not to lose and it will end up as a dour draw.
Prutton predicts: 0-0 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
Four points clear of second place and seven clear of fourth suggests it could be Lincoln's year to run away with promotion and the title in Sky Bet League Two. They absolute hammered Port Vale last week.
Cambridge have picked up just a single point in their last seven games and have slipped into the bottom two. This looks like an absolute home banker to me.
Prutton predicts: 3-0 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
Brentford v Bristol City: 2-2 (14/1)
Hull v Preston: 0-1 (17/2)
Ipswich v QPR: 2-1 (9/1)
Reading v Millwall: 0-0 (17/2)
Rotherham v Bolton: 2-0 (9/1)
Wigan v West Brom: 2-3 (25/1)
