There’s a full fixture list planned in the Championship on Boxing Day and, providing the weather is not the winner again, there are plenty of festive footy delights to keep you entertained in the second tier if that’s your betting bag and you’ve already had enough Turkey stew, leftover cake and old movies for Christmas.
Leeds are the form team in the Championship at the moment and head to Leicester on Boxing Day with another promotion-boosting victory in their sights.
The 2-0 win over table-toppers QPR last weekend underlined United’s title credentials and there is a growing belief in West Yorkshire that a return to the big time may just be around the corner.
They will again be tested at the Walkers Stadium and Sven appears to have the Foxes on the up, too, but such is Leeds’ confidence, an away win is a distinct possibility.
That game kicks off at the traditional 3pm time but there are three 1pm ko’s with the aforementioned Rangers hosting Swansea in another eyecatching clash.
Neil Warnock’s men will be keen to erase the memory of the Leeds loss with a win over the Swans and we can’t see anything other than a handsome win for the home side – go for 3-0 at 16/1.
One of Warnock’s old clubs, Crystal Palace, host Norwich and here the away win at 6/4 is attractive while a double with Portsmouth to win at evens against Millwall would return a decent profit.
In a division that is often difficult to predict, finding more value bets on Boxing Day is not easy. Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray has had a tough time of it since he came in to rescue his old club following a disastrous spell under Gordon Strachan but a win at home over Forest could just be the turning point.
Boro are on offer at 6/4 to win and it’s worth a punt with a big crowd expected at the Riverside to help cheer Mowbray’s men on.
Finally, two more clubs in need of a vital win are Sheffield United (23/20) and Hull City, who go head to head at Bramall Lane. United, who are in search of a permanent successor to Gary Speed after his decision to take up the Wales job the other week, have experienced coach John Carver in charge and may just have the edge over the Tigers.
This is, of course, if we’re not all snowed in and forced to watch the Royle Family instead that you recorded on Christmas Day!
Boxing Day Championship picks:
Leeds to win at Leicester at 11/5
QPR 3-0 versus Swansea at 16/1
Double:
Norwich to win at Crystal Palace
Portsmouth to beat Millwall
Boro to beat Forest (6/4)
Sheffield United to beat Hull (23/20).
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