James Mason's tips for Saturday's EFL action contain games from the Championship, League One and League Two.
Norwich v Stoke (15:00)
Norwich have had two weeks to stew over their shock 2-1 loss at Rotherham so don’t expect too many backward steps at home to Stoke City.
The Canaries are the Championship’s top scorers with 14 goals, no surprise given they are unloading on average a shade under 18 shots every match.
Ashley Barnes is their keenest shot-maker, averaging 3.6 shots every match, though to date the ex-Burnley man has only bagged two goals.
Chances are going to continue to flow for Norwich and Barnes, who looks a genuine anytime scorer shout at 13/8.
Sheffield Wednesday v Ipswich (15:00)
It was a fractious affair when Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich met at Hillsborough last season, so expect a fair few cards when they clash again.
Referee Peter Wright showed seven yellows in the 2-2 draw in Sheffield almost exactly a year ago as the sides battled away at the top of League One.
Now it’s Championship points up for grabs and it’s encouraging to see that both teams are still picking up yellow cards.
The Owls have collected 15, the Tractor Boys 14 in their five matches so far – both are in the top six of tier-two bad boys – so take referee James Linington to show over 4.5 cards at 10/11.
Lincoln v Carlisle (15:00)
Lincoln City take some beating at Sincil Bank, a statement they can back up by seeing off Carlisle in League One action at 7/8.
Mark Kennedy’s Imps have lost just twice on home turf in the past 12 months. They have only played twice at home so far, registering 3-0 wins over Wycombe and Blackpool, who had been on a run of five straight clean sheets before heading to Lincolnshire.
They are unbeaten in seven in all competitions, a sequence which includes a shoot-out success over Sheffield United in the League Cup.
In contrast, it’s all a bit of a struggle for Carlisle, who have failed to find the net in nine of their last 12 road trips.
Newport v Barrow (15:00)
Newport County do their best work at Rodney Parade but they also ship far too many goals, something Barrow can exploit in League Two.
Graham Coughlan’s men have beaten Charlton and drawn with Brentford on home soil in the League Cup. But their last home game saw them frustrated by Wimbledon, a match which ended 2-2.
They have conceded 14 goals – two or more in four of their seven games – and frugal, in-form Barrow represent a dangerous adversary and are well worth a bet at 5/2.
Pete Wild’s men have got seven of their 11 points on the road so will fancy their chances.
Best bets
Barrow to beat Newport County @ 5/2
Ashley Barnes anytime scorer @ 13/8
Lincoln to beat Carlisle @ 7/8
Over 4.5 cards in Sheffield Wednesday v Ipswich @ 10/11
