EFL Tips | Gab Sutton

Oxford have compromised a long-term vision under Des Buckingham, one of the most exciting coaches in the Championship, in a bid to save their Championship status after a run of one win in 15.

Most of the fanbase are disappointed to see Buckingham dismissed, after leading the club to second-tier football for the first time in 25 years.

If Saturday’s game wasn’t already hard enough, they’re travelling to Elland Road, arguably the toughest venue for visiting teams in the Championship, with Leeds having accrued 28 points from 11 home games, with a goal difference of +19.

The Whites have key men Ethan Ampadu and Large Ramazani back fit, as they aim to extent their one-point gap to third.

Walsall have been arguably the most complete side in League Two so far this season, offering a multitude of attacking threats in their 3-1-4-2 system, with two attacking wingbacks, two aggressive number eights and two strikers – the energetic Nathan Lowe and target man Jamille Matt.

One of the best pressing teams in the league, the Saddlers won’t give Harrogate the space they often need to construct attacks from deep, given that they’re not especially press-resistant, and nor do the hosts have a physical focal point they can play to when under the cosh.

Mat Sadler’s side have won five of their nine away league games so far this season, while Town have lost six of their 10 home league games.

As such, the away win looks likely, with the visitors looking to extend their four-point lead at the summit.

Out of the previous 21 occasions when Jonson Clarke-Harris scored a brace, he’s found the net again in eight of the subsequent league games.

In other words, there’s a 38% chance of him scoring when he’s just scored two in the preceding encounter.

Clarke-Harris bagged twice in last weekend’s 3-0 defeat of Northampton, with plenty of ammunition from Mallik Wilks, Andre Green and Sam Nombe, with the latter taking on a more selfless, creative role out wide to accommodate the hit-man’s renowned poaching instincts.

As such, there’s a great chance of JCH finding the net again at Mansfield this weekend, as Steve Evans plots a route for the Millers up the League One table.

Unbeaten in six, or one win in 12? Depending on your perspective, Preston North End’s form represents either stabilisation, and the ability to accumulate a steady flow of points, or stagnation, and fortune that the likes of Cardiff, Hull and Plymouth Argyle are woefully out of form.

If you’re asking us, we’d lean towards the former, with the unbeaten run coinciding directly with the return from suspension of Milutin Osmajic, who has brought a powerful, dangerous presence to the attack – they’ve found the net in five of the aforementioned six games.

Relegation rivals QPR are steadily climbing the table themselves, though, and are also unbeaten in six, including wins over Cardiff, Norwich and Oxford, as Marti Cifuentes rewarded the faith of supporters.

The Rs have an emerging talent in Rayan Kolli, who announced himself in the 3-0 home victory over the Canaries.

Having gone into the season with what was perceived to be an imbalanced squad, some questioned the sustainability of Watford’s form, but as they now sit outside the Play-Offs on goal difference with a game in hand, Tom Cleverley’s side must be taken seriously.

The striker position had been a concern for the Hornets, so Vakoun Bayo being third-top goalscorer in the Championship wasn’t on many people’s coupons, but the physical centre-forward has been a real handful, while Mattie Pollock has shone in defence, and Georgi Chakvetadze has brought the magic many expected in the number 10 position.

With plenty of pace in wide areas, thanks to the likes of Festy Ebosele and Kwadwo Baah, the Hertfordshire visitors could be underrated for their trip to East Lancashire.

Burnley have an exemplary defensive record, with eight goals conceded, but are overperforming their xG Against by 10.82, which suggests an overreliance on goalkeeper James Trafford, while they’re also the weakest creatively of the prime promotion contenders.

*Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ only. GambleAware.