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Horse Racing EFL Best Bets and Acca Tips: December 26th
bettingexpert News is bringing you the very best selections from the English Football League this Boxing Day with our EFL best bets. We’ve also got EFL acca tips with a five-match accumulator.
bettingexpert News EFL Best Bets: December 26th
| MATCHES | COMPETITION | DATE/TIME (UK) | SELECTION | ODDS | STAKES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull v Blackburn | Championship | Sun, 26th Dec, 15:00 | Yes on BTTS | 1.80 | 9/10 |
| Middlesbrough v Nottingham Forest | Championship | Sun, 26th Dec, 15:00 | Forest to win | 3.60 | 4/10 |
| Accrington Stanley v Rotherham | League One | Sun, 26th Dec, 15:00 | Under 2.5 goals | 1.90 | 8/10 |
| Wimbledon v Charlton | League One | Sun, 26th Dec, 15:00 | Draw | 4.00 | 3/10 |
| Cheltenham v Plymouth | League One | Sun, 26th Dec, 15:00 | Plymouth to win | 2.20 | 5/10 |
| Fleetwood v Shrewsbury | League One | Sun, 26th Dec, 15:00 | Shrewsbury to win | 3.10 | 4/10 |
| Carlisle v Rochdale | League Two | Sun, 26th Dec, 13:00 | Rochdale to win | 4.60 | 2/10 |
| Mansfield v Hartlepool | League Two | Sun, 26th Dec, 15:00 | Mansfield to win | 2.10 | 6/10 |
| Oldham v Scunthorpe | League Two | Sun, 26th Dec, 15:00 | Scunthorpe to win | 3.30 | 6/10 |
| Tranmere v Barrow | League Two | Sun, 26th Dec, 15:00 | Under 2.5 goals | 1.67 | 10/10 |
Odds listed are best odds available as at 23:00 December 22nd 2021. Odds may now differ.
Hull City v Blackburn Rovers – Both Teams To Score at 1.80
The billing
Blackburn’s Ben Brereton was named Ben Brereton Diaz off the back of his exploits with Chile and has taken the Championship by storm this season, but Hull’s Keane Lewis-Potter is out to prove there is more than one dangerous three-barrelled-named attacker in the Championship.
Hosts’ form
Outstanding. Since losing 7-0 to Fulham, Rovers have accrued a whopping 19 points from the 21 available after a 4-0 trouncing of Birmingham last time out. Could Tony Mowbray’s young, vibrant trailblazers be serious contenders for automatic promotion?
Visitors’ form
Hull will take inspiration from the Lancashire club’s success against the odds, and feel it is something they can emulate, possessing themselves a youthful outfit under Grant McCann.
The Tigers have risen out of the dogfight since switching to 3-5-2 and, with an impending takeover, better times are around the corner.
The Tactics Board
Hull’s performance will hinge on the showings from forwards turned wing-backs Ryan Longman and Lewis-Potter plus attacking midfielder, who will be tasked with keeping the shape for a 5-3-2 against the ball but then springing into the final third on turnovers for a 3-2-5.
Execute those movements correctly and the Tigers can knock the high-flyers off their lofty pedestal, fail to do so and they’ll fall short at both ends.
Middlesbrough v Nottingham Forest – Forest to win at 3.60
The billing
The battle of the right wing-backs.
Middlesbrough loaned Djed Spence to Forest and the 21-year-old has proved a major hit on Trentside, linking up delightfully with Brennan Johnson.
On paper, there should be no reason for Boro to lose a prized asset to a fellow Championship club next month, but with Isaiah Jones in excellent form, then the board could be willing to listen to the right offer.
Hosts’ form
After a couple of close shaves at the start of Chris Wilder’s reign, Middlesbrough are now racking up the wins – the Teessiders have accrued 10 points from the last 12 available.
Visitors’ form
Had the Championship season started when Steve Cooper took charge, the Reds would be top of the league. Plus, the East Midlanders have just won three in succession. ‘Nuff said.
The Tactics Board
Martin Payero was one of the most exciting signings in the Championship in the summer, but now the Argentine magician cannot get into the Boro midfield, which speaks volumes for the creative Matt Crooks, controller Jonny Howson and the athletic James Tavernier.
Forest, though, can respond to problems well thanks to their manager’s in-game management and tactical flexibility, which was key to the 2-1 victory over Hull last time out.
Accrington Stanley v Rotherham United – Under 2.5 goals at 1.90
The billing
Can the Millers be stopped?
Paul Warne’s divisional leaders look League One’s clear, stand-out side, but Stanley are not as apprehensive about this fixture as they might have been a month ago.
Hosts’ form
Anyone who saw the Reds lose 4-0 at Burton a month ago in one of the worst team performances in League One might have feared for their League One status, but John Coleman and Jimmy Bell always seem to find a way.
A few tactical tweaks and the East Lancashire outfit have subsequently won three league games in four, rising to 10th.
Visitors’ form
Deep-lying playmaker Dan Barlaser, who dictates proceedings at the base of midfield in Paul Warne’s 3-1-4-2 system, is arguably one of the best players in League One.
The Geordie netted a fine winner to hand the South Yorkshire outfit a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Cambridge last time out, a third triumph in succession that kept the Millers two points clear at the summit.
The Tactics Board
If Stanley name the same back-four that defended manfully in a 1-0 win over Bolton, then their defence will have an average height of 6’3”.
Suffice to say, target man Michael Smith will not have things all his own way in his aerial duels, so the visitors will need to threaten by means of opportunistic long-rangers and incisive transitional attacks.
AFC Wimbledon v Charlton – Draw at 4.00
The billing
Mark Robinson and Johnnie Jackson were popular internal appointments for these London outfits, Wimbledon and Charlton respectively, albeit the former got the job last season, the latter last week.
Hosts’ form
Wimbledon are five games unbeaten in all competitions, as victories over Crewe and Stanley have been mixed in with draws against Fleetwood and Wycombe on top of an FA Cup triumph over Cheltenham.
Young talents Ayoub Assal and Jack Rudoni hold the key for the Wombles, in their attempt to put daylight between themselves and danger.
Visitors’ form
Jackson did a great job as caretaker manager, overseeing a return of a whopping 20 points from nine games; he has since been handed the permanent job and, following a 1-0 loss at Plymouth Argyle last time out, there are calls for him to go back to being interim boss!
Joking aside, the loss leaves the Addicks 10 points off the Play-Offs and needing some sensational post-Christmas form to enter the top six equation.
The Tactics Board
Charlton have proven to have a strong first XI under Jackson, but they will be after stronger attacking depth in January; two of the players on the bench last time out were youngsters who hadn’t featured before this season.
That could play into the hands of their hosts, who have scored 10 goals in the last 15 minutes of league matches this season – a record bettered only by Fleetwood and Wigan.
Cheltenham Town v Plymouth Argyle – Plymouth to win at 2.20
The billing
An exciting young manager took charge after a difficult time and led the club to promotion to League One, followed by further progress at that level, only for the 3-5-2 disciple in question to move on to a Championship job.
That’s a scenario Argyle have faced and Cheltenham may soon be asking them for tips, if Michael Duff attracts second tier interest next summer.
Hosts’ form
After a four-game winless run including a 5-0 defeat to fellow promotees Cambridge, the Robins might consider themselves fortunate that none of the main relegation candidates have displayed genuine progress in that time.
Visitors’ form
Argyle replaced Ryan Lowe with his assistant, Steven Schumacher, largely for the continuity factor and it’s been a reasonable start to life as number one for the 37-year-old.
After a 1-0 triumph over Charlton last time out, “Schuey” has overseen a return of four points from three games – all against top half opposition.
The Tactics Board
Duff has moved away from 3-5-2 this season due to the shortage of centre-backs, partly due to the loss of skipper Ben Tozer and the inconsistent fitness of Charlie Raglan and Will Boyle.
This means Argyle’s front-two will have chances to get themselves into dangerous one-on-one situations and Ryan Hardie, when on song, is a difficult striker to stop.
Fleetwood Town v Shrewsbury Town – Shrewsbury to win at 3.10
The billing
Not quite a six-pointer: both sides are two points above the drop zone and will see this clash as a great opportunity to pull clear after favourable recent results. Three-pointer?
Hosts’ form
Fleetwood have accrued seven points from four games under the interim guidance of Stephen Crainey, enough for the former Under-23s boss to earn the Head Coach gig until the end of the season.
Crainey takes credit for the continued development of youngsters like defender James Hill, who has been linked with a January move to Birmingham.
Visitors’ form
Daniel Udoh grabbed the headlines in Shrewsbury’s 3-1 victory over Cheltenham last time out by grabbing a brace, but equally deserving of recognition is Steve Cotterill’s makeshift three-man defence.
Granted, Matthew Pennington is a natural fit on the right, but George Nurse and Luke Leahy were also deployed in defence when both would see themselves as left wing-backs.
The Tactics Board
Talking of players out of position, Fleetwood’s Conor McLaughlin is a right-back by trade who is now not only operating out of position at centre-back, but in a back-four rather than a back-three.
Whereas Fleetwood arguably lack the physicality to take advantage of Shrewsbury’s defensive imperfections, Udoh can do serious damage at the other end and the former Telford striker could be the man who separates these two sides.
Carlisle United v Rochdale – Rochdale to win at 2.60
The billing
Carlisle and Rochdale have both had stints as mainstays in the top half of League One this century, so their current status in the bottom half of League Two is something of a comedown.
Nonetheless, the Cumbrians have boosted their hopes of beating the drop with two wins in three, while their visitors come into this off the back of a resounding 3-0 victory over Newport – have these sides turned a corner?
Hosts’ form
Keith Millen will have half an eye on January, when he will seek experienced, reliable figures at both ends.
A seasoned centre-back would allow Corey Whelan to ball-win in midfield, freeing up Callum Guy to playmake in the process, while the arrival strong, battle-hardened centre-forward would take the pressure off young grafter Sam Fishburn.
Visitors’ form
Dale’s January requirements look opaquer now left-sided defender Jeriel Dorsett’s form is picking up and striker Jake Beesley, who had threatened to catch fire in recent games, bagged a brace against Newport.
Stephen Dooley’s busy midfield showing in that victory means there is already some heat on technician Aaron Morley to better his off-the-ball contributions, so Robbie Stockdale’s Play-Off chasers have a formula – now they need form.
The Tactics Board
Rochdale will undoubtedly be the side calling the shots, looking to build through triangle sequences in the channels involving the relevant wing-back and wide forward plus either a midfielder or wide centre-back.
Carlisle’s job, meanwhile, will be to ensure those triangles do not yield any space in central areas, which they will look to block out with two narrow banks of four.
The Cumbrians will try to use Sam Fishburn and Jon Mellish’s respective height and physical advantages against Rochdale’s young wide centre-backs, hoping to use that as a platform to bring the likes of Jordan Gibson and Callum Guy into the game.
Mansfield Town v Hartlepool United – Mansfield to win at 1.91
The billing
On 29th October, Mansfield found themselves in the drop zone while Hartlepool were outside the Play-Offs only on goal difference.
Less than two months on, it’s the Stags who look credible Play-Off outsiders, while the Pools are looking to tick off 50 points as soon as possible.
Hosts’ form
After a poor start to the season involving a double-figured winless run, Mansfield were inspired by a 1-0 FA Cup victory at Sunderland prompting excellent winter form, but a drop off early in the New Year put pay to any Play-Off aspirations.
That was what happened to the Stags last season and a pessimist would fear a case of de ja vu for Nigel Clough’s side who, after a run of six league wins in seven, are out to prove they are in this Play-Off scramble for the long haul.
Visitors’ form
Graeme Lee has had a roundly positive start in County Durham, overseeing four points from his first two games in charge on top of an FA Cup victory at Lincoln.
The Tactics Board
Lee, formerly Middlesbrough Under-23s coach, will be keen to remind his players of the importance of switching play quickly to get wing-backs Jamie Sterry and David Ferguson involved in the final third as often as possible. That was what got Pools to promotion, as well as Play-Off form in the first three months.
Oldham Athletic v Scunthorpe United – Scunthorpe to win at 3.30
The billing
Key relegation clash. With Carlisle securing two wins in three, Oldham and Scunthorpe now occupy the bottom two and must gain all three points if they are to climb out of the drop zone on Boxing Day.
Hosts’ form
Abdallah Lemsagam claimed on national radio on Wednesday that the club is within it’s rights to ban those who protest against his woe-ridden ownership regime.
To say those comments have soured the mood at Oldham would be a stretch, given the sense of apathy that has long engulfed the fanbase, but interim head coach Selim Benachour has his work cut out to cultivate a sense of unity – even after an impressive comeback in the remarkable 5-5 draw with leaders Forest Green last time out.
Visitors’ form
Scunthorpe are winless in seven league games after starting Keith Hill’s tenure with four consecutive draws, but there is more optimism in the Iron camp than one might expect from your average bottom of the table side.
Performances have improved significantly under Hill, someone who has twice won promotion from this level as well as having managed in the Championship, and there is a feeling that a win is just around the corner.
The Tactics Board
The neat ball-carrying ability of Myles Hippolyte and the canny movement of Alfie Beestin looks a significant facet of Scunthorpe’s midfield rotation under Hill, and they will be hoping to catch out an Oldham side lacking grit and experience in key defensive areas.
Tranmere Rovers v Barrow – Under 2.5 goals at 1.67
The billing
The game that will help you decide whether Rovers are the real deal and whether Barrow are truly out of their slump.
Hosts’ form
Since averting the danger of a four-game losing streak by coming from two down at Bristol Rovers to earn a point, Tranmere have in fact gone on a four-game winning streak.
Each of those victories, though, came by one goal and nobody could say with any real conviction that Micky Mellons’ troops were the better side against Leyton Orient.
So, is this a serious promotion contender with the nous and resolve to edge tight games? Or could they conceivably have a barren spell without performances changing drastically?
Visitors’ form
Successive 2-0 victories were just the tonic for Mark Cooper, with Swindon defeated in the league before Ipswich toppled out of the FA Cup at Holker Street.
Barrow dropped off too much in October and November for any resurgence to reignite their Play-Off aspirations but, the way attacking left centre-back Joe Grayson is playing, there is hope that the Bluebirds can start to haul themselves into the safety of midtable.
The Tactics Board
Stopping Grayson’s deep deliveries for Offrande Zanzala or Josh Gordon at the back-post will be a central part of Mellon’s game plan, but the Scot will have great confidence in Kieron Morris to do a job on the 22-year-old.
Morris, liked at Walsall for his infectious work rate, will track back willingly and put significant pressure on Grayson whenever he gets the ball, which could impact the quality of service.
Odds listed are best odds available as at 23:00 December 22nd 2021. Odds may now differ.
bettingexpert News EFL Acca Tips: December 26th
| Match | Selection | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Accrington Stanley vs Rotherham | Under 2.5 Goals | 1.90 |
| Hull vs Blackburn | Yes on BTTS | 1.80 |
| Middlesbrough vs Nottingham Forest | Forest to win | 3.75 |
| Mansfield vs Hartlepool | Mansfield to Win | 1.90 |
| Tranmere vs Barrow | Under 2.5 Goals | 1.65 |
| Total Acca Odds: | 40.39 |
Odds correct from bet365 as at 15:30 December 23rd 2021. Odds may now differ.
What is an EFL Acca?
An EFL Acca is a type of betting that involves combining several selections across different matches with one single stake. An acca or accumulator usually has at least four selections but it can include many many more. An EFL acca is one such bet that only involves matches from the EFL or English Football League, the second to the fourth tiers of English football. The benefits of an EFL acca are that the odds can be massive with a very small stake as the odds for all selections are multiplied together. Every pick needs to win or your EFL acca will lose.
