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.