EFL Match Day 28 Betting Preview
The EFL continues to provide fans with some of the most exciting and competitive action each matchday, and this weekend, they can expect to see more of the same. The Championship, League One, and League Two are in action, and there are some mouth-watering games taking place, including top-of-the-table clashes and derbies. We’ve picked out some of the best fixtures from matchday 28, starting, as always, in the Championship. Adding to the intrigue is that there’s not long to go in the transfer window, and results this weekend could influence the business that clubs decide to do before the deadline. It’s another reason why this EFL matchday weekend is one to pay close attention to.
Championship Betting Highlights
Luton Town vs Millwall
The London derby aspect of Luton vs Millwall immediately makes this a fixture that everyone should keep an eye on this weekend. But it’s perhaps for other reasons why they should. Both teams have changed managers in recent weeks, with Matt Bloomfield and Alex Neil taking up the jobs at Luton and Millwall, respectively. However, so far, we’re yet to see anything change significantly, and more importantly, consistently, for the better. Could this be the fixture in which fortunes change for one of these teams? Luton were expected to challenge for promotion, and earlier in the season, Millwall were in the mix. So, all hope isn’t lost yet.
QPR vs Sheffield Wednesday
QPR vs Sheffield Wednesday is a very interesting clash in the second tier on matchday 28. Last season, both teams were battling for survival, but now they’re on the up and just outside the top six and looking to break into the group. With QPR and Wednesday positioned well, the winner could well end the day in a playoff place. QPR, under Marti Cifuentes, are one of the division’s form teams at the moment, but Wednesday are decent away and will fancy their chances. A win for either here would be a step in the right direction, and could put those already in the top six under some real pressure. The Championship playoff race is really hotting up.
Burnley vs Leeds United
The standout fixture this weekend comes on Monday evening at Turf Moor, with Burnley playing host to Leeds United. This is a top-of-the-table clash, and it’s hard to split the two teams. Burnley vs Leeds is a head-to-head battle for automatic promotion, and there are only three points separating them at present. With two automatic promotion places available and four teams in the race, both teams know what’s at stake here. Sheffield United and Sunderland will also be keeping an eye on this one, especially as they will already have played their games.
League One Betting Highlights
Huddersfield Town vs Bolton Wanderers
Huddersfield vs Bolton was a League One fixture tipped to be a contest between two serious promotion contenders before the season began. But for the latter, it’s not quite worked out. Bolton lost in the League One playoff final last season but haven’t quite hit the heights expected this year, so they’ve decided to part ways with long serving manager Ian Evatt as a result. This adds a bit of intrigue to the fixture as Bolton aren’t troubling the top six, where Huddersfield sit currently. Will the Terriers add to Wanderers’ disappointment further? Or will the latter be rejuvenated following the managerial switch?
Leyton Orient vs Reading
Leyton Orient and Reading are two teams that you will struggle to split right now. Reading start matchday 28 in 7th on 41 points, and Leyton Orient are one place below on 38 points. 5th-9th in the third tier are separated by just four points, showing how close the playoff chase is, and adding more meaning to Leyton Orient vs Reading. With Reading level on points with Stockport County in sixth, they know they can join the top six group. Whereas Orient are several points behind and need to close the gap, or they could fall away slightly. Both teams have been in excellent form of late, the hosts more so.
Wigan Athletic vs Bristol Rovers
Wigan Athletic and Bristol Rovers are another couple of teams that are difficult to split apart. They occupy 17th and 18th in League One, and only two points divide them. At present, Wigan vs Bristol Rovers is a match between two teams that aren’t going anywhere fast. However, all that could change quickly, for the right reasons and the wrong reasons. Both outfits are safe right now, but they’re closer to the drop zone than they are to the playoff places, and a couple of bad results could see them sucked into danger. But, put a couple of wins together, starting in this fixture, and a charge into contention could happen.
League Two Betting Highlights
MK Dons vs AFC Wimbledon
EFL fixtures don’t come much bigger or more fierce than MK Dons vs AFC Wimbledon, for obvious reasons. The former are the old Wimbledon, who relocated to Milton Keynes, while the latter are the Wimbledon that came up through the divisions on the back of that. You don’t have to go back too far to when the hosts were pushing for promotion to the Championship out of League One, but they’ve fallen since then, and AFC Wimbledon are now better placed of the two and in with a shout of automatic promotion to the third tier. MK Dons, on the other hand, have lost their last three and are adrift of the playoffs.
Doncaster Rovers vs Harrogate Town
Doncaster Rovers vs Harrogate is a Yorkshire derby and one that should capture the imagination of both sets of fans. Yes, you can look at the League Two table and see the teams are in very different places, with Rovers positioned in the top six and Harrogate in 17th but well clear of the relegation zone, but all that goes out of the window in matches like this. What adds to the intrigue is that while Doncaster will be favourites, Harrogate are unbeaten in their last three outings and have only lost once in their previous five. They have slightly better form than the hosts. If the game catches fire, who knows what could happen?
Fleetwood Town vs Carlisle United
Fleetwood Town, since changing their manager, have somewhat of an uplift in form. Pete Wild has come in and started working his magic, and they’ve won their last two. Carlisle United, on the other hand, changed manager a while ago but are so far yet to see a change in their fortunes. Wild knows League Two like the back of his hand, and he will be aiming to make a late push for the playoffs, which is certainly possible. For Mike Williamson, his team are rooted to the foot of the table and seven points from safety. At this stage, you wouldn’t describe a result as season-defining, but whoever triumphs in Fleetwood vs Carlisle could begin moving closer to where they ultimately want to be.
