Saturday 2 March 2019 08:41, UK
David Prutton returns with his Sky Bet EFL predictions ahead of the weekend fixtures, but who is he tipping for victory?
We were down at Roots Hall a couple of weeks ago and it was an absolute cracker! As Southend came from three goals down to draw with Portsmouth.
Barnsley are pushing hard for promotion and this is a good opportunity to get three points before the rest of the sides in League One play at 3pm. There should be goals in this one but I think the Tykes will have enough.
Prutton predicts: 2-3 (33/1 with Sky Bet)
Steve Bruce will be looking forward to this! The former Sheffield United manager is now in the Wednesday dugout for the Steel City derby and his side look in good form as well.
Sheffield United will have to sit back all weekend and watch their promotion rivals get a head-start on them, but if they can get through this game they will really fancy themselves to last the course this season. However, Wednesday will be desperate to halt their rivals' progress and I think they will do that.
Prutton predicts: 2-2 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
It's five without a win now for Aston Villa and they have slipped right off the play-off pace. They are running out of time now and will need to win the vast majority of their games now to have any chance whatsoever.
Derby have gone off the boil completely. They were playing with so much zip earlier in the season but have looked completely flat lately, especially at Nottingham Forest on Monday night. I'll back Villa here.
Prutton predicts: 1-0 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
If Ipswich are to have any hope whatsoever of a run to survival then this is an absolute must-win game for them. They are nine points behind Reading in 21st and if that gap gets any bigger then it is pretty much curtains for them.
Jose Gomes was clearly frustrated with his side's failure to hold on for the victory against Rotherham last week, but they need to forget that and focus on this match at Portman Road. This will be a nervy affair but I reckon Ipswich could sneak it and keep their hopes alive.
Prutton predicts: 1-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
Millwall may have a quarter-final in the FA Cup on the horizon but they need to make sure they are fully concentrated on their performances in the Championship as well, because they are very much in a relegation battle.
Norwich will be feeling in good nick again and got a good comeback win over an in-form Bristol City side last weekend. Away win for me.
Prutton predicts: 1-3 (16/1 with Sky Bet)
Can Preston make a run for the play-offs? They probably look in the best form of all the sides pushing outside the top six and this is a big game for them in that respect.
You worry for Bristol City every time they lose a game after a good run of form. Lee Johnson's side are so streaky and you wouldn't now back against them losing as many in a row as they had previously won. Home win.
Prutton predicts: 2-1 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Notts County looked like they were climbing out of trouble a couple of weeks ago but two defeats on the spin have left them rooted to the bottom of the EFL.
This is a massive game against Port Vale, who are 22nd in the table, hopelessly out of form and just five points clear of them. Victory for County would tighten the relegation battle right up and I reckon they will do just that.
Prutton predicts: 1-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
Brentford vs QPR: 2-0 (17/2)
Hull vs Birmingham: 1-1 (5/1)
Rotherham vs Blackburn: 1-1 (5/1)
Stoke vs Nottingham Forest: 1-2 (12/1)
Swansea vs Bolton: 1-0 (11/2)
Wigan vs Middlesbrough: 1-1 (9/2)
