Boxing Day Championship Tips: Lions and Swans to exchange blows in Bermondsey

Entertaining spectacle at the Den

Millwall 2.47/5 v Swansea 3.259/4; The Draw 3.211/5

Millwall didn’t play last weekend with a number of their players reportedly testing positive. However, the majority of their squad are expected to return for this Boxing Day fixture. The Lions are hoping to put a dismal defeat at Peterborough firmly behind them and with Gary Rowett’s side having only suffered back-to-back losses on one occasion so far this season, the home fans will be feeling confident that their side can respond to that recent setback.

The Lions are always effective here and with fans in attendance, there should be a decent noise around the stadium. They’ve lost just twice here this season with their last defeat arriving on October 16th. However, despite this, they have a terrible recent record against Swansea and have won just one of their last nine meetings with the Welsh club.

Swansea have a couple of positive cases within their squad, however, Russell Martin admits that he has very few worries when it comes to squad selection for this festive fixture. The Swans have struggled in recent weeks and only Peterborough have conceded more goals than the Welsh outfit across the last five matches. However, they have scored six times during that period and have a number of players who are able to create moments of magic. Joel Piroe is capable of finding the back of the net whereas Jamie Paterson is one of the most clinical finishers in the second tier having converted 29% of his shots so far this campaign.

Millwall haven’t kept a clean sheet since November 2nd and the visitors will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet on Sunday afternoon.

Recommended Bet: Back BTTS in Millwall vs Swansea @ 1.910/11

Cottagers handed the perfect chance to bounce back

Fulham 1.444/9 v Birmingham 8.415/2; The Draw 4.84/1

It’s been a disappointing end to 2021 for Fulham, however, despite their recent wobble, the Cottagers remain top of the table. They have failed to win any of their last five Championship outings, however, they’ve suffered just a single defeat during that period and have conceded on just four occasions. In stark contrast to the opening couple of months of the campaign, the West Londoners have struggled to stick the ball in the back of the net and with Aleksandar Mitrovic looking out of sorts, they have been unable to replicate their free-scoring form which has helped to propel them to the summit.

Nevertheless, they’ve been handed a very winnable looking fixture and they will fancy their chances of bouncing back against out-of-form Birmingham. The Blues were comprehensively beaten last time out by high-flying Blackburn Rovers and have secured just a single away win since mid-August. Lee Bowyer’s side have been hampered by injuries, however, their failure to score in seven of their last nine away games is a significant concern. There were a number of underwhelming performances at Ewood Park last weekend and although they look set to strengthen in January, this fixture is far from ideal for the beleaguered Blues.

Recommended Bet: Back Fulham to Win and Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.1011/10

Terriers to sneak past the Seasiders

Huddersfield 2.265/4 v Blackpool 3.55; The Draw 3.412/5

Huddersfield have been far stronger at home this season, however, the Terriers upset the odds to beat Bristol City at Ashton Gate last weekend and they will be full of confidence heading into this Boxing Day clash. They’ve been excellent defensively, and they have yet to concede a goal at this ground when hosting teams who sit below them in the table.

They’ve managed to keep four clean sheets in their last six and only a rejuvenated Middlesbrough have left the John Smith’s with maximum points since mid-September. Although they have missed the influence of captain Jonathan Hogg in the centre of the park, the West Yorkshire club have managed to maintain their form despite his absence.

Blackpool ended their barren run of form last weekend as they beat poor travellers Peterborough at Bloomfield Road. The Seasiders weren’t at their best, however, the result gave them a much-needed confidence boost and helped to keep Neil Critchley’s side safely entrenched in mid-table.

They’ve failed to score in their last two away matches and have struggled to find any rhythm on the road recently. The Tangerine Army will be in excellent voice, however, the visitors have lacked cutting edge on their travels and against one of the best home defences in the division, they could struggle to find a way through.

Recommended Bet: Back Huddersfield to beat Blackpool @ 2.265/4

Rovers to continue hot streak

Hull 3.211/5 v Blackburn 2.47/5; The Draw 3.45

Hull’s remarkable upturn in form was ended by Nottingham Forest last weekend, however, the Tigers will feel as though they should have taken something from the game. The men from Humberside have picked up 14 points from a possible 21 and have eased their relegation concerns in the process.

George Honeyman has been integral to their improvement, and despite picking up a minor injury last weekend, Grant McCann expects the former Sunderland midfielder to be fit for this contest. With Greg Docherty and Richie Smallwood providing a solid platform, this has allowed many of the more attack-minded players to flourish in recent weeks.

Since switching formation to 3-4-1-2, Blackburn Rovers have hit top form and they are yet to concede a goal since Tony Mowbray implemented the changes. The Lancashire outfit also possess one of the division’s most potent strikers in the shape of Ben Brereton-Diaz and the Stoke-born Chilean international will be hoping to net his 20th Championship goal of the season in this fixture.

Rovers are fearless, and they are full of confidence and they are likely to be quick out of the blocks on Sunday afternoon. Earlier in the campaign, they could rarely be trusted to keep a clean sheet, however, they are a far more reliable prospect at the back and should be able to edge this clash against much-improved opposition.

Recommended Bet: Back Blackburn to beat Hull @ 2.47/5

Hatters to pick holes in the Robins’ defence

Luton 1.75/7 v Bristol City 5.39/2; The Draw 43/1

Luton remain a tricky side to analyse, however, Nathan Jones’ outfit are impossible to write off and they often take points from sides above them in the table. Despite winning just one of their last six Championship ties, they have become hard to beat at Kenilworth Road and have conceded just five times here since mid-September.

Summer signing Allan Campbell is starting to find his feet at this level and although being labelled ‘the Bedfordshire Kante’ by some fans may be a little premature, he has certainly showcased his ability to break up play and dictate the pace of the game in recent weeks.

Although they lack firepower, the Hatters have already stuck three past both Swansea and Middlesbrough here and also hit Coventry for five earlier in the campaign. They should relish the chance to play against one of the leakiest defences in the division on Sunday afternoon.

Bristol City took an early lead against Huddersfield last weekend, however, the Robins looked shaky at the back and slumped to yet another defeat at Ashton Gate. Although they picked up a point against in-form Hull last time out, Nigel Pearson’s men have struggled on the road this season and have conceded 2+ goals in each of their last six away games. They’ve been unable to keep a clean sheet on their travels so far and having failed to score in three of their last five away games, they may come up short once again here.

Recommended Bet: Back Over 1.5 Luton team goals (vs Bristol City) @ 1.728/11

Boro to edge the battle of two in-form sides

Middlesbrough 2.1211/10 v Nottingham Forest 3.953/1; The Draw 3.39/4

Chris Wilder has transformed Middlesbrough into potential play-off contenders and although the former Sheffield United boss is unlikely to be looking too far ahead, the Teessiders’ recent performances suggest that they almost certainly have top six credentials this season. He’s made one or two small tweaks which have completed changed the mentality of the squad and the intensity of their play against Bournemouth last weekend was hugely impressive.

Boro have started to press effectively and their fitness levels have visibly improved since the Yorkshireman arrived at the Riverside Stadium. The form of Isaiah Jones has been one of stories of the season and if Wilder can get a little more out of Andraz Sporar in the coming weeks, they should be able to muscle their way into play-off contention. They have kept three consecutive clean sheets and will make it tough for in-form Nottingham Forest.

Steve Cooper has lost just a single game since taking charge, however, historically, the Tricky Trees have a poor record at this stadium, winning just two of their last 16 visits here. They have been victorious in just one of their last 12 away games staged on Boxing Day and will need to be at their best in order to take maximum points from this tricky tie. Cooper has transformed the previously underperforming East Midlands outfit, however, they’ve won just one of their last four away matches and were far from vintage against Hull eight days ago.

Forest’s unbeaten run has to come to an end at some point and they may struggle to contain their energetic hosts this weekend.

Recommended Bet: Back Middlesbrough to beat Nottingham Forest @ 2.1211/10

PNE and Blades to play out an entertaining 90 minutes

Preston 3.185/40 v Sheffield United 2.427/5; The Draw 3.3512/5

Ryan Lowe got off to a winning start as Preston manager with the Liverpudlian overseeing a 2-1 victory against Barnsley. The former striker has had time to work with his squad on the training ground this week and having implemented an easy-on-the-eye style at his two former clubs, fans will be expecting to see their side keep it on the ground a lot more over the coming weeks.

Lowe is an affable gaffer and although he tends to have his favourites, the majority of players are likely to enjoy working under him. Senior players such as Alan Browne and Daniel Johnson looked energised by his arrival during his first game in charge and that could be key to North End’s chances of pushing up the table.

Sheffield United are also enjoying a new manager bounce with Paul Heckingbottom having overseen a superb 1-0 victory over Fulham on Monday night. The Blades have got back to basics under the former Barnsley boss and although some fans have suggested that this purple patch is unlikely to last, they are playing with a renewed confidence and the likes of Oliver Norwood, Chris Basham and John Egan have all upped their performance levels since the management change.

The South Yorkshire outfit have kept clean sheets in four of their last five, however, they are unlikely to keep a rejuvenated Lilywhites off the scoresheet here.

Recommended Bet: Back BTTS in Preston vs Sheffield United @ 1.758/11

You can follow Jack Critchley on Twitter @jcritch7