Free football betting tips and odds: Sky Bet EFL preview

Football

Tue December 26, 2017 · 7y ago

Our tipster Nick Hext makes Cardiff his best bet on Boxing Day's Sky Bet EFL coupon.

Boxing Day afternoon's TV game

Leeds to beat Burton by one goal, Sky Bet Championship (Boxing Day, 1500 GMT, Sky Sports Football)

The Sky Sports cameras are at the Pirelli Stadium for the 1500 GMT kick-off when Burton meet Leeds. Both teams are in decent form so an intriguing clash is ahead. Burton have won their last couple of matches but it's Leeds, who are out for their fourth victory in a row, who can grab the three points. The Elland Road outfit have impressed on a five-game unbeaten run and they have won 1-0 in both of their last two outings. I expect this to be another narrow Leeds win and both of Burton's previous two defeats have been by just one goal.

Bluebirds to bounce back

Cardiff to beat Fulham, Sky Bet Championship (Boxing Day, 1500 GMT)

Cardiff fell to a surprise 2-0 defeat at Bolton on Saturday but I fully expect the promotion-chasing Bluebirds to bounce back with victory at home to Fulham on Boxing Day. Neil Warnock's men are out to claim their fifth home win in a row and I have to support them for victory at an inviting 13/10. Cardiff remain second in the Sky Bet Championship standings and I fully expect a sustained push for promotion during the second half of the season. Fulham have lost four of their previous five away games and look a long way short of the consistency required to match last term's play-off finish.

Boxing Day's Sky Bet League One selection

Blackburn to beat Rochdale and over 2.5 goals, Sky Bet League One (Boxing Day, 1500 GMT)

Blackburn could finish Boxing Day in the automatic promotion places if they beat Rochdale and second-placed Shrewsbury lose at leaders Wigan. Rovers have really found their form over the last two-and-a-half months with their last defeat coming against Oldham all the way back on October 14. Tony Mowbray's side have won nine matches since losing to the Latics and seven of those victories have come in matches that have contained over 2.5 goals. I think that will be the case once again against struggling Dale, who have only won once in Sky Bet League One during the last couple of months.

Boxing Day Sky Bet League Two selection

Notts County to beat Morecambe, Sky Bet League Two (Boxing Day, 1500 GMT)

Notts County are on high for Boxing Day's trip to Morecambe after a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down in the final 16 minutes of Saturday's clash against Cambridge to draw 3-3. The Magpies remain second in the Sky Bet League Two standings behind leaders Luton and I reckon they can keep the pressure on the Hatters by getting the better of the struggling Shrimps. Morecambe have lost their last couple of games and it will be tough against the impressive Magpies, who make lots of appeal at odds-against for a three-point haul.

Boxing Day evening's game

Brentford to draw with Aston Villa, Sky Bet Championship (Boxing Day, 1930 GMT, Sky Sports Football)

The entertainment for Sky Sports viewers on Boxing Day is provided by Brentford's clash against Aston Villa. Brentford are looking up at Villa in the Sky Bet Championship standings but the Bees enter this contest in the better form. Dean Smith's men have only lost one of their previous seven outings and enjoyed a 2-1 victory at Norwich last time out. Steve Bruce's Villa are without a win in their last four games but three of those matches have ended in draws and my tip is for this encounter to also end all-square. I don't see much between these two sides so expect the spoils to be shared to end Boxing Day's busy football programme.

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Posted at 1030 GMT on 24/12/17.