We have a bumper round of Boxing Day fixtures to look forward to from the EFL Championship. As we enter matchday 21, things are starting to hot up in England’s second tier. On Saturday, Cardiff City host Brentford, while league leaders Norwich City travel to Watford in Boxing Day’s evening game.
EFL Championship Matchday 21: Best Betting Football Tips
Blackburn Rovers vs. Sheffield Wednesday: EFL Betting Tip
Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn Rovers and Tony Pulis’ Sheffield Wednesday square off in a tasty Championship fixture at Ewood Park on Boxing Day. Rovers have won four of their past five at home, while the Owls picked up their first win under Pulis last time out.
Blackburn are in poor form, but Mowbray’s men have managed to keep up their good home record, accumulating an impressive 12 points from the last 15 available on their own patch. After a narrow loss at Stoke City last time out, the Blue and Whites could do with maximum points from this one.
Pulis failed to win any of his opening eight games in charge of Sheffield Wednesday, losing five and drawing three. However, the Welshman finally got that monkey of his back last weekend, with a second-half Tom Lees goal giving the Owls a 1-0 home win over Coventry City.
Wednesday will be buoyed from their vital victory last Saturday, but Rovers are an excellent home team, and the hosts should nick this one. Back the Blackburn win at 8/11.
Blackburn Rovers 8/11
Draw 27/10
Sheffield Wednesday 4/1
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 8/11 odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 24 December
Cardiff City vs. Brentford: Best Football League Betting Predictions
Neil Harris’ Cardiff welcome Thomas Frank’s Brentford to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday. The Bees are the favourites with the bookies, but the Bluebirds can be a tough team to beat on their own patch. This one in South Wales could go either way.
Cardiff head into this Boxing Day clash having won five of their last seven. Last weekend, though, City were beaten 2-0 at Norwich. Nevertheless, the Welsh side have won four of their previous six at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Brentford are on a real roll at the moment. Last Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory over Premier League Newcastle United extended their unbeaten run to 14 league and cup games. The Bees have won four and drawn two of their past six away league matches, also.
When these two sides clashed at the Cardiff City Stadium back in February, Cardiff came from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw. We can see something similar unfolding in South Wales on Boxing Day. Take a punt on the draw and over 3.5 goals at 12/1.
Cardiff City 9/4
Draw 12/5
Brentford 5/4
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 12/1 odds taken 2012 GMT, Thursday 24 December
Queens Park Rangers vs. Swansea City: EFL Betting Odds & Predictions
In-form Swansea City make the trip to west London to face Mark Warburton’s Queens Park Rangers on Boxing Day. As you would expect, the high-flying Swans are the clear favourites to get the win at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
QPR have struggled for wins in recent months, failing to take three points since a 3-2 home victory over Rotherham United a month back. Since then, the R’s have lost four and drawn three of seven. Rangers languish down in 19th spot as a consequence.
Swansea are riding high in third with almost half of the season now played. Steve Cooper’s men have won 50% of their 20 league matches, winning four of the last seven. After a poor 2-0 loss at Derby County, the Swans sealed an impressive 2-0 home victory over in-form Barnsley at the Liberty Stadium last Saturday.
With QPR in poor form, we are backing Swansea to return to South Wales with three points in the bag this Boxing Day. There is good value in the away team to be winning at half time and full time at 3/1.
Queens Park Rangers 43/20
Draw 47/20
Swansea City 27/20
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 3/1 odds taken 2030 GMT, Thursday 24 December
Watford vs. Norwich City: Best EFL Championship Betting Tips on Matchday 21
The final Championship fixture of the round is a cracker at Vicarage Road, as Watford and Norwich clash on Saturday night. These two were relegated together from the Premier League last term, and both teams are looking for an instant return to the top tier.
Watford have had a little slump in form in recent weeks, winning two, losing two and drawing one of their last five. After a disappointing 2-0 loss to Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium last time out, the Hornets will want to bounce back in this one. Vladimir Ivic was sacked recently, with the club quickly bringing in Xisco.
League leaders Norwich have been in stunning form of late. Since a shock 3-1 loss to Luton Town earlier in the month, the Canaries have gone on to win five on the spin, scoring ten times along the way.
Norwich opened up a five-point gap at the top of the Championship table after last weekend’s results, and we fancy Daniel Farke’s troops to secure a sixth victory in a row on Saturday. Four of their last five have ended in 2-1 wins – a repeat scoreline here is available at 9/1.
Watford 33/20
Draw 11/5
Norwich City 37/20
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 9/1 odds taken 2055 GMT, Thursday 24 December
