It’s a weird one this year. On Boxing Day, just a single Premier League game takes place. Man United versus Newcastle should be well worth watching, mind you.
True, Boxing Day happens to fall on a Friday, but that should be no big deal. Most supporters would rather the games are played then, rather than Saturday. The Premier League however wants most of the programme on Saturday, leaving Boxing Day with the Championship as the main focus.
No matter your thoughts on the scheduling, the festive football programme is still a belter. We have selections for seven of the games across Friday and Saturday, beginning with the second-tier champions elect.
Friday’s Best Bets
Coventry to Beat Swansea
While it’s fair to say that the Championship can be gruelling over 46 games and fatigue can set in, leaders Coventry are just too big at 1/2.
Still six points clear and easily the top scorers in the league, Coventry are irresistible this season. Two away draws have sandwiched a 1-0 home win for Frank Lampard’s men, something which has influenced their odds.
They still didn’t lose during that run and will hit top form again very soon. They face Swansea, fresh from a win over Wrexham, but they aren’t at the Sky Blues’ level and a home win is expected.
Middlesbrough to Beat Blackburn
Coventry are rightful league leaders in the Championship, but the Boro are hot on their heels. An uptick in their form has seen them firmly grasp second place but they will harbour title ambitions for certain.
They host Blackburn on Boxing Day at the Riverside. The visitors did well to beat Millwall at home last week, but they still sit 20th in the league and are there for the taking.
Boro lost last time out, but Bristol City away is a step up from this and we should take advantage of the subsequent 3/4 which is too big a price. Home win.
Bolton to Beat Rotherham
We drop down into League One for our latest game, home side Bolton being available at around 1/3. That’s a fair price and a home success is fully expected.
This hand game represents 6th versus 18th, with ten points separating the pair. More strikingly, Bolton have a +9 goal difference compared to Rotherham’s -6, home advantage adding more confidence.
Bolton have scored in 17 of their last 18 home games in all competitions. Another goal now, especially an early one, would make them very long odds on indeed to take the points.
Cardiff to Beat Exeter
Cardiff City currently lead the way in this division, the Bluebirds looking for a swift return to the Championship. They host Exeter this weekend the 4/7 looking potentially juicy considering Exeter’s precarious position.
Once again, Cardiff’s price may be based on recent results but that would be false. They lost in the Carabao Cup, but 3-1 against Chelsea is hardly soul destroying. They went down 2-1 at Lincoln last week too, another disappointing but routine league defeat, away from home to the second placed team.
There’s nothing wrong with their form overall. Exeter, though they won last week, are struggling and always concede on the road.
Salford to Beat Harrogate
Sixth placed Salford face Harrogate in League Two, a team 17 places and 19 points below them. They should not slip up on Friday unless one or two partake in some Christmas tipples.
In a game of this nature, it really is all about what form the hosts are in. We have no worries on that score.
Salford are so entertaining. Since losing 7-2 at home to Rotherham in the EFL Trophy, they are unbeaten in four with an aggregate score of 12-5. More goals are coming, and it’s hard to see Harrogate getting the majority of them.
Saturday Tips
Brentford to Beat Bournemouth
There are seven festive fixtures in the Premier League on Saturday, but precious few reliable looking bets. The standout is Brentford with 5/4 looking just too big.
Beginning with the visitors; Bournemouth are in free fall. The Cherries started so well, but their form is quite alarming and they really don’t perform too well away from home.
At home, Brentford have 17 points from eight games. They’ve lost only once and have an aggregate on their own soil of +7. After a comfortable win at seemingly doomed Wolves last week, the Bees are in a good place to confirm the odds.
Rangers to Beat Motherwell
Rangers have had a terrible season overall and now they face Motherwell who are once place above them. Hear us out.
Rangers’ position is a little false, as they have improved their league form under the current manager. More to the point, when was the last time you could get 7/10 for them at Ibrox against Motherwell? They should be winning this and we’re taking the value.