EFL Betting Tips: Leeds United’s must-win encounter as former Premier League duo battle for survival

It’s that busy time of year where it feels like you’re never more than a few hours away from the next game of football, and there is drama galore in the English Football League.

This weekend sees the final round of fixtures before Christmas take place in the Championship, League One and League Two, with teams across the country looking to try and finish 2023 on a high as they create building blocks for the year ahead. 

We’ve picked a big game from each division to take a close look at ahead of the upcoming clashes, and there could be plenty of fireworks. 

Championship

Leeds United v Ipswich Town

Kick off: 12.30pm Saturday

It’s second v third in the Championship, but victory in this fixture is much more important for Leeds than it is for Ipswich. The hosts are at 1.86 to triumph, but the Tractor Boys are flying and will head to Elland Road full of confidence.

A few dropped points for Daniel Farke’s men recently has seen the gap between these two open up to 10 points, and should the visitors come out on top here then it would hand Leeds a huge blow in their bid for automatic promotion. In some ways it’s a must win for the team in white.

Meanwhile, those waiting for the bubble to burst for Kieran McKenna and his side have been left waiting. They’ve scored 2+ in all of their last five league games, and with Leeds hardly having a watertight defence it’s no shock to see both teams to score at 1.6.

Prediction: A draw and both teams to score @ 5.0

League One

Reading v Wigan Athletic 

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

Just over a decade ago this was a Premier League fixture, but this weekend Reading and Wigan face off in League One with relegation very much still a concern heading into the second part of the season. Both have had points deductions.

The Royals may be lowest in the table, with eight fewer points, but after a slight upturn in fortunes they’re favourites (at 2.21) to come out on top at the Madejski Stadium. Ruben Selles’ side have lost just one of their last five league games, while Wigan travel to Berkshire on the back of a 3-2 loss to Port Vale. 

Between them the two sides have drawn six games since the start of November, and though neither would be described as ‘free scoring’, they do seem to have a knack of at least getting on the scoresheet. Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is at 2.18.

Prediction: A draw @ 3.50

League Two

Morecambe v Milton Keynes Dons

Kick off: 3pm Saturday

With a host of games happening on Friday night the League Two table could look very different by the time these two kick off, but heading into the weekend both were harbouring hopes of climbing into the play-off places. 

They’ve had similar seasons so far, but it’s the visitors that head into this encounter in the better form – which is why, even on home soil, the Shrimps are slight outsiders (at 3) for victory. They have only lost once at the Mazuma Stadium this season, though, and the Dons have picked up just three wins on the road all season.

Morecambe picked up their fifth clean sheet in the 5-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers last time out, and four of them have come at home, but Mike Williamson’s side have scored in 16 of their 20 matches so far, so a home clean sheet on this occasion is at 3.65.

Prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.60

Recommended Bets

Back a draw and BTTS in Leeds v Ipswich @ 5.0
Back a draw in Reading v Wigan @ 3.50
Back BTTS in Morecambe v MK Dons @ 1.60