In a revision of the schedule, the EFL Cup kicks off this weekend, some seven days before the official start of the season. Apparently it’s going to give teams more of a rest between fixtures, but if that means we get to dive into the long lists a week early, then I’m all for it. In true pre-season tradition, I’m kicking it off with a banger. Johnny Depp would call it a mega-acca, but for me, it’s a well-thought-out, data-backed, 27/1 game changer. Let’s jump in.
TL; DR – My 27/1 EFL Cup First Round Acca
| Bet | Bookie | Odds | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNE vs Huddersfield – Huddersfield to progress | Betfred | 11/10 | 1 |
| Cambridge vs Barnet – Cambridge to win | Betfred | 4/5 | 2 |
| Cheltenham Town vs Charlton – Charlton to win | Betfred | 8/13 | 3 |
| Sheffield Wednesday vs Bolton – Bolton to win | Wiliam Hill | 21/20 | 2 |
| Swansea vs Birmingham – Birmingham to win | Betfred | 5/4 | 1 |
| Full Acca | Betfred | 27/1 | 1 |
*Odds correct at 10:00 BST on 07/08/2026. Odds subject to change.
Acca Flex at Betfred
My five picks for Saturday’s EFL Cup First Round qualify for Betfred’s Acca Flex. This means that we not only get a 5% boost on our winnings, but also, if just one of my picks loses, you get your money back. Can’t get fairer than that!
No Expiry Date
Bet 1: Preston North End vs Huddersfield – Huddersfield to Progress
Championship side Preston North End “host” League One Huddersfield on Saturday and I’m going to kick off my EFL First Round acca tips with an upset of sorts.
It’s been a pretty grim preseason at Deepdale. First off, this game is being played at Everton’s Goodison Park as their £1.5m new hybrid pitch is still not ready. They lost their captain, Ben Whiteman, to Wrexham after a messy transfer situation and then had to cancel a lucrative friendly with Barcelona last weekend as they didn’t have enough fit senior players.
With no Deepdale advantage and up against a Huddersfield side that are being tipped by many for promotion this season, 11/10 for the Terriers to progress in the EFL Cup is the route I'm taking in this one.
Bet 2: Cambridge United vs Barnet – Cambridge to Win
There wasn’t a lot between these two teams last season. Newly promoted League One side Cambridge face a Barnet side who narrowly missed out on the League Two play-offs.
One thing that caught my eye was the fact that Cambridge have poached Callum Stead, Barnet’s talisman from last season, having bagged 50 in 124 in his time with the Bees. Quite the game for Stead to then be making his full debut.
A lot of pundits have written Cambridge off already, but they’ve made some shrewd additions in the form of Snead, Isaac Heath and Gasan Ahadme returning on loan. We’re getting just shy of even money at 4/5 here, and even though Barnet will be a force again in League Two, I think the gulf between the teams is enough to justify the value in the market here.
Bet 3: Cheltenham vs Charlton – Charlton to Win
While never really in contention for losing their Football League status last season, it’s fair to say that it was a slog for much of it at Cheltenham. Another season scrapping at the wrong end of the table means that, this time around, expectations are low for Steve Cotterill’s side, who are 3/1 to face the drop.
In terms of results, it wasn’t much better for Charlton’s first season back in the Championship, finishing 19th and making what was a strong start to the season hard work by the end.
I’m pleased to see they stuck with Nathan Jones. I think continuity in the Championship is a good thing and they’ve made some positive signings in the form of Karlan Grant, Millenic Alli, Ivan Mesik and finally some cover at centre-back with Billy Koumetio.
Charlton should be too strong here, and even though they are odds-on at 8/13, there’s enough to get me excited for my third EFL Cup First Round acca prediction.
Bet 4: Sheffield Wednesday vs Bolton – Bolton to Win
Two clubs on very different trajectories. Fortunately for Wednesday, they have avoided another points deduction in League One, so at least they start the season on zero, and in fact, there’s a lot of money been lumped on them to get straight back out of League One and into the Championship. For clarity, not a bet I will be entertaining.
Bolton’s goal this season will be survival, but I think they’ve made a couple of shrewd signings that could get them a top-half finish. David Watson, Ben Davies and Gaizka Larrazabal bring much-needed experience, and they more than held their own in a 0-0 draw with Everton pre-season, proving that they will be tough to beat this year.
It’s 21/20 with the best online bookies for Bolton to win this game and even though they will be desperate for some success at Hillsborough, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a season of mediocrity, which, to be fair, after last season, Owls fans might just take. Bolton to win. Bet four locked.
Bet 5: Swansea vs Birmingham – Birmingham to Win
Expectations at St Andrews are high for Chris Davies’ Birmingham side. They more than held their own last season in their return to the Championship and I really like the business they’ve conducted over the summer to improve the squad further. Dael Fry is one that will go under the radar, but has the experience needed at this level.
If you’d have given any Birmingham fans last season a guarantee they would finish top half, they would have snapped your hand off. This season, however, the expectation has grown, as will the pressure on Davies to keep delivering. Odds of 4/1 to be promoted reflect that.
For Swansea, a strong finish to last season papered over a lot of early-mid campaign cracks. They are a club floating in second-tier mediocrity. Vitor Matos does, however, get a full preseason with his side and a chance to build on that late-season momentum.
But for Saturday, I can’t look past Birmingham at 5/4. I think that’s too big a price to turn down, and they will be a team that a lot of Premier League clubs will want to avoid in later rounds, especially at St Andrews.
