Football tends to come at us thick and fast during the Christmas season, with plenty of games in quick succession. That’s been taken up a notch this year, with live televised games from the Football League every day for 10 days, ensuring nonstop action is coming our way, which gives fans plenty of opportunities for betting.
Sky’s partnership with the Football League is really paying off for them this year, but it does mean we’ll get to see some great action daily in the build up to Christmas. While for many this will be another excuse to do all of this year’s shopping online, it also brings up a few good betting opportunities. Ahead of the midweek games, we’ve picked out four matches to preview, and we’ve tipped where we think you should be placing your money (who needs presents anyway?!)
Tuesday 15th December 2015
QPR v Brighton (19:45) – Draw (9/4 with Bet365)
The live game on Tuesday sees the leaders in action, as they head to Loftus Road. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has just taken over the reins at Rangers, and this match will be just his second in charge at his new club. After doing a fantastic job at Burton, the former Dutch international will be hoping he can make the step up. He certainly faces some stiff competition in this game, but luckily his team have shown some pretty impressive home form in the weeks before he took charge.
They’re on a six game unbeaten streak at Loftus Road, and they picked up a win over Leeds in their last game. Brighton have made an unbeaten start to the season, and that’s something they’ll be desperate to maintain. Their away form hasn’t been the greatest so far, even though they’ve yet to be beaten. They’ve won just three times on the road, while they’ve drawn five of their last six away. With Rangers likely coming in to this one with confidence, we think they can hold the leaders to a draw as well.
Middlesbrough v Burnley (19:45) – BTTS, no (4/6 with BetVictor)
Middlesbrough are right behind Brighton as things stand, and they’ll be looking to put pressure on the south coast side with a win over out of sorts Burnley. Boro have been great at home this season, losing just once in the league. Their defensive record is the most impressive thing about the team this season, as they’ve conceded the second fewest goals in the division. Their run of five consecutive clean sheets at home has helped that, and that places a big hurdle in front of Burnley on Tuesday night.
The Clarets are ok going forward, but they aren’t setting the world alight. There’s little in that team to suggest they can break through a very solid Boro back line. Sean Dyche’s team have taken a little bit of a hit recently, failing to win in their last four matches. It’s hard to see them be able to reverse that run here, given how good Aitor Karanka’s side are at home. While Middlesbrough are big favourites here, a lack of goals looks to be the best value way to bet on this one, as we see the home side maintaining their defensive record and even at 4/6 BTTS, no, is a good bet.
Wednesday 16th December 2015
Hull v Reading (19:45) – Both teams to score (evens with Ladbrokes)
Hull’s promotion chances have been hit by back to back defeats recently, but can Steve Bruce and his team get back in the running with a win here? They had made a great start to the season, but dropping points against Leeds and Derby has left the Tigers fourth in the table, four points shy of second place. Christmas is a horrible time for a club to hit a rough patch, as this could really cost them at the end of the season. They’ll need to get out of this rut quickly, but to do that they’ll need to stop shipping goals.
Reading are without a manager at the minute, sacking Steve Clarke after their defeat at home to QPR. The Royals aren’t doing too badly, they currently sit 11th in the table, but that wasn’t enough to save Clarke. With Hull not quite at their best right now, could Reading have a chance here? They certainly have a shot of getting on the scoresheet, given how Bruce’s men have been defending of late. That’s why we are going for both teams to score in this one, as Hull just don’t look like keeping a clean sheet and evens is a very big price.
Thursday 17th December 2015
Wolves v Leeds (19:45) – Both teams to score (11/10 with Sky Bet)
Thursday’s game sees two big, yet struggling sides going head to head. Both of these two are in the bottom half, although recent wins might have just sparked a revival. Leeds are nearly always in this kind of tough position, but Wolves were expected to make a play-off challenge this term. The fact that they’re currently 14th is pretty shocking, considering how strong their squad looked early on in the season. A recent win at Rotherham has helped them out, but can they kick on from here and make a late push for the top six in the New Year?
Leeds recently appointed Steve Evans, a man who isn’t universally liked. He has had an effect on this team though, leading them to a win against Hull last time out. That result should lift spirits around the camp, and it will give the team confidence heading into this one. Wolves are a beatable team even at home, so the Leeds players have to come here in search of a result. They should go out on the attack, and that’s why we see both teams to score as the value bet at huge odds. This should be an open game, so despite Wolves having two recent 0-0s it’s best to back goals.