EFL Trophy tips: Sunderland, Scunthorpe and Portsmouth feature

The road to Wembley continues tonight

The EFL Trophy returns tonight, bringing with it a host of top ties – including a first clash between Lincolnshire rivals for more than 12 years.

Ahead of a busy night of action across the country, the Coral News Team are back with a round of top tips on the big clashes – kicking off at Broadfield Stadium…

Portsmouth to Win and Both Teams to Score (v. Crawley Town) @ 23/10

The Red Devils are unbeaten in six at home, winning each of their last three. But they face a big test against a Pompey side sitting top of League One.

Goals are likely, with both sides racking them up at present. Portsmouth have netted in seven of their last eight outings, while Crawley have netted seven times in three at home.

Gabrielle Cioffi’s men should have enough about them to find the net. But with the visitors in red-hot form and having won the last three head-to-heads, they should edge this.

Sunderland to beat Carlisle United @ 20/23

The Black Cats are hitting the high-notes at the Stadium of Light. Unbeaten at home this season, they’ve chalked up comfortable wins over the likes of Scunthorpe United (3-0) and Rochdale (4-1).

Visitors Carlisle are solidly mid-table in League Two, but are having something of a blip at present – with defeats in three of their last five matches.

With Sunderland striker Josh Maja racking up the goals – with five in his last six – this should be pretty comfortable for Jack Ross’ men.

Scunthorpe United to beat Lincoln City @ 29/20

It’s a first meeting since 2006 between these Lincolnshire rivals, with the Imps making the 30-mile trip to Glanford Park. And it promises to be an exciting affair.

The Iron have netted nine goals in their last three home games, with experienced hitman Lee Novak currently in fine form.

Visitors Lincoln are top of League Two. But after an electric start to the season they’ve been scraping results of late – and lost their last away game, at Tranmere Rovers. It could be close, but Scunthorpe should have enough to win in 90 minutes.

Shrewsbury Town v Tranmere Rovers: Over 2.5 Goals @ 21/20

Previous head-to-heads between this pair have tended to provide plenty of goalmouth action. Each of the last three clashes have seen three or more goals scored, and the signs point to more of the same in Shropshire.

Tranmere have chalked up a total of 10 goals in their last five away games, including four at Morecambe last weekend. As for the Shrews (current 7/10 favourites in the Match Betting), they’ve netted in six of their last seven on home soil.

Click here for Coral’s latest EFL Trophy tips.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing