The season can turn for any EFL club in the next few weeks. Come out of the festive period with momentum, things are looking up. Go the opposite way, and it could be a long second half of the season.
It is EFL acca time again as we look at some big games from each league.
Saturday, 14th December
Middlesbrough vs Millwall – Home Win
Boro faced a tough test in midweek, travelling to Leeds, and although they forced their way back into the game and looked at one point as they would go onto win, they eventually lost 3-1. Manager Michael Carrick was still happy with how the team played, and they are nicely positioned just outside of the playoffs in seventh. There is no doubt this Boro team is full of talent, but they remain a bit too up and down to fully trust them yet. This is the type of game they must take three points from if they want to challenge.
It has been a bizarre few weeks for Millwall. Manager Neil Harris announced he would be resigning from his position, with his last game being this one in the North East. It was certainly out of the blue, with Harris coming in last season and saving the club from relegation and having them safely in mid table this season. It will be very interesting to see which manager replaces Harris, with the current favourite being Mark Robins.
Harris will want to go out with a bang, but I think Boro will have other ideas.
Middlesbrough to win outright @ 7/10
Peterborough vs Crawley – Home Win
It has not been the season Peterborough would have hoped for or expected so far. Always known as the great entertainers, the Posh haven’t just scored plenty of goals over the years, but they are also always challenging from promotion out of this division. That doesn’t look likely at the moment, with the side sitting in 15th place and suffering a bad defeat on Monday night against Northampton. They have a great chance to bounce back at home this weekend, and you still feel there is enough talent in the squad to turn things around.
The last time Crawley were in action was on Tuesday 3rd December, with Storm Darragh accounting for their game last week. On that Tuesday they picked up a very impressive 2-1 away win at Charlton, showing they can certainly compete with the bigger clubs in this league after promotion last season. Crawley currently occupy the last relegation place in the league, and you feel anything above that mark will be a great season for them.
I think Peterborough need to get back to winning ways quickly and will do so here.
Peterborough to win outright @ 8/13
Colchester vs Newport – Home Win
Colchester didn’t have a league game last weekend as their scheduled fixture against Notts County fell foul to Storm Darragh. They will have been disappointed with that, as they look to be building some momentum. Their last league game saw them hammer Swindon 4-0 and it looks like Danny Cowley is finally starting to turn the ship around in Essex. They are still in a little bit of trouble, down in 18th in the league, but the signs are certainly there that things are heading in the right direction. In Samson Tovide, Colchester have one of the most talented players in the league, and I expect him to be a hot commodity in the January transfer window.
Newport also didn’t have a league game last weekend because of the weather and sit just one place above Colchester. You are never quite sure what you are going to get from Newport this season. Going on the road and looking great winning at Gillingham but looking absolutely awful and losing at home to Chesterfield in another. It seems most fans aren’t yet convinced with manager Nelson Jardim, and the only way to turn those fans around is by winning football matches.
I think Colchester will keep with their recent good form and get the win.
Colchester to win outright @ 8/15
EFL Acca
Another treble for you this weekend. I have gone for three home wins. The Middlesbrough vs Millwall game could be particularly interesting, as you are never sure how the players will react when they know a manager is leaving. Peterborough, although not great so far, should have too much for Crawley and likewise Colchester. These games are usually tight and fine margins always play a part in the wacky world of the EFL.
If you want to work out the payout for your own acca, you can use our free accumulator odds calculator.
