EFL Betting Tips: Bournemouth to hold onto top-two berth?

We have a full billing of matches on this Halloween weekend, so EFL expert Gabriel Sutton discusses which sides will scream in terror and which are in for a treat alongside providing three football tips for the upcoming action...

Bournemouth to beat Derby - 6/10

Bournemouth left it late on Wednesday but they got the 1-0 win they needed against Bristol City to move into the Championship’s top two. Jason Tindall was disappointed by his side’s first half display, but there was certainly more intensity and attacking intent from the Cherries after the interval.

Arnaut Danjuma has been the Dorset club’s brightest individual performer this season, even if ironically he wasn’t available for the best collective display, the 3-1 win at Coventry. Tuesday night was not the first time Danjuma, who struggled to justify a hefty fee in the Premier League last season, made an impact from the bench and the Dutchman could play a key part in Bournemouth’s season.

While Tindall’s side are already in the mix, Derby County have just the one league victory to their name so far, languishing 11 points worse off in 21st. Phillip Cocu was able to name Tom Lawrence, Martyn Waghorn and Kamil Jozwiak, who have all missed parts of the season so far, in his front three for Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Cardiff.

However, it can be problematic when the trio start simultaneously; all three are right-footed while Lawrence and Jozwiak both naturally like to cut inside from the left into central areas, so their attacking play can feel somewhat imbalanced. Ideally, the Rams could do with a left-footed forward to complete the equilibrium, but of those available, attacking midfielder Louis Sibley did not feature from the bench in midweek while speedster Morgan Whittaker did not make the match-day squad.

Matt Clarke, on the left of the back-three, is a good overlapping defender while Max Bird is a sound midfielder equally adept on either foot, but there are areas of Derby’s game where they look very disjointed. Bournemouth, meanwhile, have a striker in Dominic Solanke who has had a lot of chances so far this season whilst looking strong in terms of link-up play.

The Cherries have lots of attacking options to rotate around him in Danjuma, Josh King, Junior Stanislas and Sam Surridge, so Tindall has the wherewithal to change a game if needed and that could prove vital here.

Peterborough to beat Shrewsbury - 8/13

Peterborough United were held to a 2-2 draw by Burton in midweek, so Darren Ferguson will be keen to ensure his side do not drop any more points. The Posh had the better of the second half and, when ahead, should have killed the game off while they were on top, but instead they conceded a soft goal and dropped points where they should not have done.

They will be keen not to repeat those mistakes when they host Shrewsbury, who lost 1-0 at Fleetwood last time out. Manager Sam Ricketts felt his side deserved a point on the Fylde coast for their second half efforts, with athletic striker Daniel Udoh hitting the post.

Ultimately, though, Salop mustered just the solitary shot on target and posing a goal threat remains challenging for the Shropshire outfit, who have found the net just 36 times in 42 League One games since the start of last season.

Goals are not a problem, though, for Peterborough, who have a possession-based 4-2-3-1 system that can easily morph into a 3-4-2-1, with Joe Ward a very selfless right-sided player and Dan Butler a forward-thinking left-back who loves to deliver.

Sammie Szmodics’ energy, Siriki Dembele’s skill and Jonson Clarke-Harris’ goalscoring presence gives Posh arguably the best attacking trio in League One – and it should be enough to see off Shrewsbury.

Port Vale to win at Southend - 7/10

Port Vale are on the hunt for four consecutive victories for the first time since November 2015, after a 2-1 victory over Cheltenham in midweek.

The Valiants rode their luck for an hour and were perhaps fortunate not to go more than a goal down but, after Leon Legge headed in the equalizer and David Worrall slotted home the winner, they managed the game superbly.

Legge and Nathan Smith remain pillars of consistency at centre-back for Vale while Scott Burgess, since coming into midfield for Danny Whitehead, has given them a presence next to anchor man Luke Joyce, meaning Tom Conlon has that extra freedom to express himself with lively link-up play.

Worrall, meanwhile, is one of the best wingers in League Two and could cause problems for his former club, who look a far cry from the outfit he inspired to promotion from this level five years ago.

Southend United have been in a sharp decline and although the recent payment of an outstanding tax bill represents a relief for the club off the field, there has been no relief on it after a late goal saw them lose 2-1 to Oldham in midweek.

There is a lack of experience and leadership in this Shrimpers squad; defender John White and midfielder Alan McCormack could provide those things but, while both have been edging closer to a return, there has been no sign of either in the match-day squad just yet.

With the four sides immediately above Vale playing one another, Askey’s troops – currently sitting in seventh - have a fabulous opportunity to close the gap on the top three and they should take it in Essex.