EFL pundit Gab Sutton begins his weekly accumulators with a long shot, for those keen on a speculative, high-reward play – although this five-fold also suggests individual value bets for match-by-match punters.
Gab Sutton's EFL Opening Weekend Accumulator
- Norwich City to beat West Bromwich Albion
- Leyton Orient to beat Sheffield Wednesday
- Doncaster Rovers to beat Mansfield Town
- Barnet to beat Salford City
- Bristol Rovers to beat York City
£10 stake returns 1,399.56.
Norwich City to beat West Bromwich Albion @ 19/20
I’m more confident in Norwich’s excellent form under Phillippe Clement translating into the following campaign, than I am about West Brom’s under James Morrison doing likewise.
Clement has greater managerial pedigree behind him than his opposite number, and has delivered over 30 games rather than 10, so I’m happy to get the Canaries at a price just short of evens.
The Norfolkians do start the new Championship season with a few injuries, but I feel they have lots of depth, particularly in attacking areas, and I see Mo Toure enjoying a fantastic league campaign, off the back of two goals in the EFL Cup in last week’s 4-1 victory over MK Dons.
Whereas, I still think West Brom are in rebuild; encouraging recruitment suggests they’ll improve this season, but for a team going into the season with expectation of a Play-Off challenge, I feel the opening day might be a sobering experience.
Leyton Orient to beat Sheffield Wednesday @ 2/1
Leyton Orient have had the best transfer window in League One this season, and Scott Mitchell, their new Director of Football, takes a lot of credit for that.
They’ve got that nice balance of a strong spine of Nathan Baxter, Joe Olowu, Isaac Hayden and Jaze Kabia, a couple more who can add to the culture like Fin Stevens and Tony Springett, as well as some star quality on loan like Somto Boniface and Yusuf Akhamrich.
As such, I back the O’s to put last season’s underperformance behind them with a positive start to their league campaign, whereas I’m not quite sure what to expect from Sheffield Wednesday.
This season is a massive rebuild for the Owls, from top to bottom, and while the expectations are high, as always at this level, I do wonder if that could be a bit of a millstone in the early weeks for Henrik Pedersen’s side.
Doncaster Rovers to beat Mansfield Town @ 9/4
I think Doncaster have recruited really well this summer, with the additions of Jordan Thomas, Isaac Hutchinson and Alfie May, who should bring direct running, creativity and some goalscoring instincts.
Rovers look well-placed to build on their excellent form in the second half of last season, whereas I’m not quite sure if that’s true of the Stags.
Nigel Clough’s side have only signed three players who weren’t there last year and of those, I don’t know if David McGoldrick can work his magic again at 39, I’m not sure if he or Michael Smith quite freshen up their squad in the way that was required, although I don’t mind the Owen Dodgson addition at left wing-back.
I fancy Doncaster’s superior running power and athleticism to prove decisive at Field Mill.
Barnet to beat Salford City @ 13/10
The opening day might be the best time to play Salford City, with new boss Peter Cklamovski still trying to get his possession-based ideas across to the squad.
There may be some teething problems, and facing Barnet on the opening day could be the worst time to face arguably the best pressing team in the division.
The Bees swarm over their opponents with intent, and while Dean Brennan’s side might have less star quality than their visitors, having lost the likes of Ryan Glovers, they also have much greater continuity that allows them to start strongly.
I see Salford struggling to deal with Barnet’s press, and I think their newly-contracted defenders, Danny Collinge and Nik Tavares, will keep marquee summer signing Macaulay Langstaff surprisingly quiet.
Bristol Rovers to beat York City @ 11/5
Bristol Rovers enjoyed a 10-game winning streak at the end of last season, and after a summer of high-retention, I think that puts them in a great position to start strongly.
In different circumstances, I’d be putting my money on a draw, given that York are hosting their first Football League game in a decade after winning the National League title with 108 points last season, but they’ve just parted company with the manager who got them there, Stuart Maynard.
Replacement Scott Lindsey is already in that awkward position of being the narrative fairytale step-father figure with supporters, and I don’t think the anger is directed as much at him as it is to Matt Uggla, but the political side doesn’t help.
As such, I think Bristol Rovers, after adding the likes of Tom James, Ben Purrington and Jack Aitchison to a solid core, are oven-ready for day one – I’m stunned they’re as big as 11/5.
Gab Sutton's EFL Opening Weekend Accumulator
- Norwich City to beat West Bromwich Albion
- Leyton Orient to beat Sheffield Wednesday
- Doncaster Rovers to beat Mansfield Town
- Barnet to beat Salford City
- Bristol Rovers to beat York City
£10 stake returns 1,399.56.
Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.
