EFL Tips | Gab Sutton

Burnley have come in for criticism from neutrals this season, and sections of their own fanbase, for the lack of creativity from Scott Parker’s side.

What can get overlooked with the Clarets, however, is their impeccable defensive consistency, with a formidable centre-back pairing of Maxime Esteve and CJ Egan-Riley inspiring them to 10 clean sheets in 16 games – with the East Lancashire outfit conceding just once apiece in the other games.

Plus, in fairness to Parker, his side did look more creative in Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Bristol City, with Josh Brownhill dropped into a more natural deeper role alongside Cullen, Hannibal Mejbri coming into the number 10 role, and Jay Rodriguez starting up top, with the tweaks offering a greater link between midfield and attack.

Coventry are missing star forward Haji Wright, and the managerless Midlanders may lack the quality to test Burnley’s defensive resolve – the hosts are 21/20 for the victory, and 9/4 to win to nil.

Birmingham could be something of a wounded animal, after they fell to a 3-2 loss at Shrewsbury – a game they would likely have won at any stage of the season, other than Gareth Ainsworth’s first in charge.

The disappointing performance, though, will either give boss Chris Davies the initiative to freshen things up, and bring in Ben Davies, Marc Leonard, Ayumu Yokoyama and Alfie May – or it will motivate the same XI to right Saturday’s wrong.

Either way, Blues’ excellent strength in depth should come to the fore as we approach the festive period, against an Exeter side with no such luxury, despite Gary Caldwell’s side sitting proudly in the top half.

The Grecians had to play a right-back in midfield, an attacking midfielder at left wing-back and a central midfielder in attacking midfield last time out, due to absentees: the result was a 3-0 loss at Wrexham.

Walsall are the top scorers in League Two, having scored 28 goals in 15 games – despite most of their competitors having played one or two more.

Key to the Saddlers’ attacking productivity is Nathan Lowe who, as well as bringing excellent link-up play and boundless energy, has provided a clinical edge, scoring eight goals in 13 games.

The Black Country outfit have been burnt by loan recalls for high-scoring strikers in previous seasons, for Danny Johnson and Freddie Draper, and will be hoping lightning doesn’t strike a third time this January – but, unlike in previous seasons, this Walsall side are flying high in second.

Lowe will be out to do damage to a Bromley side that have won just one of their last 13 league games but have also lost only once in their previous eight.

Sheffield Wednesday can be one of the best pressing sides in the Championship, while Hull are religiously possession-based, with heavy reliance on defenders in possession as opposed to midfield.

As such, the Owls will have countless opportunities to put their pressing game into practice with Djeidi Gassama, Jamal Lowe and Anthony Musaba, if the latter two come in for Danny Röhl, all likely to get chances to cut the hosts open.

Conversely, if Wednesday don’t execute their press correctly, Hull might have a chance to execute their artificial transitions out wide, albeit without the influential Mohamed Belloumi.

The Tigers were unlucky not to get something at Luton last time out, losing 1-0 to a scrappy Mark McGuiness finish, but with Joao Pedro having come close twice, and with Kasey Palmer having been denied by Thomas Kaminski.

Northampton have a solid away record in League One so far, despite having won just the once: September’s 3-1 victory at Huddersfield.

For instance, the Cobblers have accrued six points from their four trips to current Play-Off incumbents, suggesting Jon Brady’s side can perform better when the odds are against them.

After losing on-loan playmaker Marc Leonard in the summer, they naturally aren’t as good a footballing outfit as last year, but they’ve made up some of that shortfall by becoming stronger in transition, and they seem to have the characteristics to thrive against high possession sides.

Wigan are one of those, but Shaun Maloney’s side have struggled to convert control into penetration, scoring just 13 times in 15 league games – so, if TJ Eyoma and Jon Guthrie defend bravely as ever, the visitors might be able to grab an away win.