EFL Betting Tips: Leicester City target big Premier League step on football’s busiest day

December 26, the busiest day on the English football calendar, and it’s going to be no different this year as football fans flock to stadiums full of Christmas dinner – a few with some heavy heads. 

As per usual there are some huge games coming up across the English Football League, and millions of television sets around the world will be tuned in to check out what’s happening across the Championship, League One and League Two.

We’ve picked one from each to pay particularly close attention to, and there is a lot on the line…

Championship

Ipswich Town v Leicester City

Kick off: 7.45pm Tuesday

It’s a biggy for both teams, this one. For the hosts, who may still be a bit shell-shocked after conceding four in defeat to Leeds United, they’re out to show their mettle against the table-topping visitors – but for them it’s a chance to take a big step towards the Premier League.

The Foxes are the favourites (2.22) after their monstrously good opening half of the season, but the Tractor Boys’ home record of just one defeat in the Championship in 2023/24 will give them confidence of getting something out of it.

Kieran McKenna hasn’t lost back-to-back games since October 2022, but Leicester have won all of their last five and scored 3+ in four of them. It’s why both teams to score is at 1.57.  

An away win would take the leaders nine points clear heading into 2024 while victory for Ipswich would see them cut the gap to three. It doesn’t get much bigger in this round of fixtures.

Prediction: Leicester to win and both teams to score @ 3.95

League One

Lincoln City v Bolton Wanderers

Kick off: 3pm Tuesday

December has been a topsy-turvy month for Bolton, winning three and drawing two, but this round of fixtures potentially offers a huge opportunity to potentially climb into the top two. They’re at 2.2 for victory. 

Lincoln are a difficult opponent on their home turf even if they don’t come out on top, and they’ve drawn all of their last three fixtures at LNER Stadium - they’ve only got one clean sheet in their last eight in their own backyard, though, so the division’s second top scorers will back themselves to get on the scoresheet. A home shutout is at 3.9.

Prediction: Bolton to win @ 2.20

League Two

Bradford City v Morecambe

Kick off: 3pm Tuesday

The Bantams are flying high on confidence as 2023 comes to an end, and after a rocky start to the season saw Mark Hughes leave his position there’s a chance they could start the new year within touching distance of the play-off positions in League Two.

A victory (which is at 1.69) would see them hit 35 points – which AFC Wimbledon are on as things stand – but their opponents, Morecambe, aren’t too far behind either. However while Bradford have won six in a row in all competitions the Shrimps have won only two of their last 10. 

There have been three or more goals in 14 out of 21 games involving Morecambe this season (over 2.5 is at 1.86), but it’s the hosts who will be the most confident for this one.

Prediction: Bradford to win and over 2.5 goals @ 2.78

Recommended Bets

Back Leicester to beat Ipswich and BTTS @ 3.95
Back Bolton to beat Lincoln @ 2.20
Back Bradford to beat Morecambe and over 2.5 goals @ 2.78