Saturday 19 January 2019 15:44, UK
David Prutton returns with his Sky Bet EFL predictions ahead of the weekend fixtures, but who is he tipping for victory?
Swansea have been decent in fits and bursts this season, but their poor home form and a lack of consistency is probably why they are destined for mid-table.
Sheffield United, meanwhile, are on a run of four wins in a row for the third time this season. Worryingly for Chris Wilder they are yet to make it to five, but I think this could be the day.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
It was probably one of the most remarkable results of the season on the opening day when Bolton went to The Hawthorns and claimed all three points.
A lot has gone wrong for the Trotters since then, though, and a lot has gone well for West Brom. These are the kinds of games they need to be winning if they have hopes of finishing in the top two and this should be a comfortable enough win for them.
Prutton predicts: 0-2 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Is the early positivity felt under Dean Smith dwindling at Villa Park? It was always going to take him a while to make his mark but one win in seven Championship games will never be good enough for Aston Villa at this level.
This would have been a home banker earlier in the season but Hull are absolutely flying with six wins on the spin and now find themselves above Villa in the table. They could easily keep that going on Saturday.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
After all the 'Spygate' fallout Frank Lampard would have been happy to get back out and see his Derby side claim a great victory at Southampton in the FA Cup in midweek.
Reading finally got back to winning ways last weekend and Jose Gomes claimed his first victory as manager, which will be a huge lift to both him and the club. Derby could be tired after such a long game on Wednesday, but I think they will still have enough here to claim all three points.
Prutton predicts: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
It was not a good start for Nathan Jones at Stoke last week as they were convincingly beaten by a resurgent Brentford, but you feel they will be a different proposition this week after he has had some proper time to work with them.
In terms of a first game at home it doesn't get tougher for him than Leeds. You can have no doubt that Marcelo Bielsa will have done his homework anymore, either! Away win.
Prutton predicts: 0-2 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
Oxford looked as though they were climbing the table and away from relegation danger until about a month ago, but a dreadful run over Christmas has seen them drop back into the bottom four in League One.
Portsmouth still have a little bit of daylight at the top of the table despite their shock defeat to Blackpool last week, but they will be desperate to get back to winning ways. Pompey are generally brilliant on the road, though, and they should win this one.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
Yeovil were on a desperate run and Darren Way was under real pressure, so for them to go to Mansfield last week and nick the win was a remarkable result.
They need to back that up against Notts County, though, who are bereft and adrift at the bottom of the table. Things haven't improved under Neal Ardley and it is looking bleak for them. I feel like both sides will be so scared to open up at Huish Park that it will end in a draw.
Prutton predicts: 0-0 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
Blackburn vs Ipswich: 1-0 (11/2)
Middlesbrough vs Millwall: 0-0 (13/2)
Nottingham Forest vs Bristol City: 2-0 (10/1)
QPR vs Preston: 1-1 (5/1)
Rotherham vs Brentford: 1-2 (8/1)
Sheffield Wednesday vs Wigan: 1-0 (6/1)
