League Two Boxing Day Betting Preview

Monday, December 26th

AFC Wimbledon (17th) v Oxford United (8th)

Home: 7/4             Draw: 11/5            Away: 27/20

The Dons’ early-season form has deserted them in recent weeks as they have not won in nine games in League Two and find themselves sliding closer to the relegation zone. The Us come in to this clash in inconsistent form but know a good festive period will see them back in contention for a play-off spot Oxford have kept clean sheets in their last two league games while Terry Brown’s Wimbledon haven’t scored in nearly four hours. The Dons are 9/4 to fail to score here – well worth consideration.

Aldershot Town (16th) v Southend United (2nd)

Home: 31/20        Draw: 11/5            Away: 31/20

The Shrimpers haven’t won in six games in all competitions and their fans will be concerned that a continued poor run of form over the next few games could hamper their automatic promotion challenge. Paul Sturrock takes his side to the Rec knowing they will face an Aldershot side who have failed to score in three of their last four games. I fancy Southend to return to Roots Hall with all three points in a comfortable win. Consider giving Aldershot a 1-0 lead and back the Shrimpers at 9/2.

Bristol Rovers (18th) v Plymouth Argyle (23rd)

Home: 17/20        Draw: 23/10         Away: 57/20

The Pilgrims have enjoyed this fixture in recent years, having won the last four meetings between the two sides. Carl Fletcher’s men are unbeaten in their last three games and will be hoping that form can continue when they visit the Memorial Stadium on Boxing Day. Rovers have only won twice in their last ten league matches but will fancy picking up the victory against struggling Plymouth. The Pirates have scored six of their last seven goals after the break and I fancy them to win here, but probably being forced to wait until the second half. So back  draw/Bristol Rovers in the half-time/full-time market at 4/1.

Dagenham and Redbridge (24th) v Barnet (19th)

Home: 7/5             Draw: 11/5            Away: 17/10

Fans of the Daggers know if they are to pull themselves from the foot of the table then they must pick up three points against fellow strugglers Barnet. The Bees arrive having only lost once in their last five games in League Two and Lawrie Sanchez will be confident his side can come out on top in this six-pointer. Expect goals in this game as both sides’ last ten league games have averaged over three goals. Take a punt on there being over 3.5 goals here at 39/20.

Hereford United (21st) v Port Vale (10th)

Home: 19/10        Draw: 11/5            Away: 5/4

The Bulls have only picked up two points from a possible 18 in League Two and entertain a Vale side who are unbeaten in their last three league fixtures. Neither side has been free-scoring of late so don’t expect a goalfest here. It is worth noting that the Valiants have only taken the lead in four of their last ten league games so if they are to get anything from this, which I think they will, expect them to come from behind. I fancy a draw, so take the lead-draw selection in the run of play market at 31/10.

Bradford City (20th) v Crewe Alexandra (14th)

Home: 6/5             Draw: 11/5            Away: 2/1

The Bantams will be boosted by their impressive 1-0 win at high-flying Southend last weekend but face a side who have won on their last three visits to Valley Parade. Crewe are currently sitting in mid-table and are on a four-game unbeaten run going in to this Boxing Day clash. Both sides are low scorers in the league and I expect a low-key affair here. Back there to be under 1.5 goals at 13/5.

Cheltenham Town (3rd) v Shrewsbury Town (4th)

Home: 13/10        Draw: 11/5            Away :9/5

The Robins have won eight of their last ten games in the league and have only suffered two defeats at home all season. The Shrews are also in fine form having only tasted two losses in their last ten League Two clashes. Mark Yates’ side have won four of their last five games on home soil and will provide a tough test for Graham Turner’s men. I can’t separate these two sides and think this will be an evenly fought game from start to finish. Take draw/draw at 18/5 in the half-time/full-time market.

Crawley Town (1st) v Gillingham (7th)

Home: 11/20        Draw: 13/5            Away: 9/2

League leaders Crawley look to be unstoppable in their promotion aim as they currently hold a four-point lead over Southend. The Gills occupy the last play-off spot and after narrowly missing out last season, their fans will be hoping for their side to go at least one stage further this campaign. This will be a tough test for Andy Hessenthaler’s men, though, as Crawley have only lost once at Broadfield Stadium all season. It is worth noting that in six of Crawley’s last seven home games they have led at the interval and gone on to win them all. I fancy Crawley here and will back them to be leading at both half-time and full-time at 13/10.

Macclesfield Town (15th) v Rotherham United (9th)

Home: 19/10        Draw: 11/5            Away: 5/4

This is a fixture that Rotherham have enjoyed down the years, having won on their last three visits to Moss Rose and winning six of the last seven meetings between the two. The Silkmen’s recent home form has not been impressive, with only one victory in their last five games in front of their own fans. The Millers have recorded four wins in their last five, continue to climb the league ladder and are favourites to win here. Given their recent history, I fancy Andy Scott’s men to travel back to the Don Valley Stadium with three points. Consider giving Macclesfield a 1-0 lead and back Rotherham to win at 7/2.

Morecambe (11th) v Accrington Stanley (13th)

Home: 11/10        Draw: 11/5            Away: 11/5

Even though the table shows these two to be evenly matched, in recent weeks these sides have been on very different paths. Morecambe have only won twice in their last ten league games, while their visitors haven’t lost in their last six outings in League Two. Stanley have only won once on the road but have drawn seven of their ten away games in the league. The Shrimps drew their last home game and I fancy another draw here at 11/5.

Northampton Town (22nd) v Burton Albion (6th)

Home: 8/5             Draw: 11/5            Away: 3/2

Cobblers fans haven’t seen their side win since October 1st and they haven’t witnessed a home success since September. Aidy Boothroyd has recently taken charge at Sixfields and will be looking for his first win at the third attempt. The Brewers have only lost once in their last five league games and are six points off the automatic places going in to the festive period. Expect there to be goals here as both sides fight it out for a valuable three points. Odds of there being over 3.5 goals in this one are at 33/20 – well worth a punt.

Torquay United (12th) v Swindon Town  (5th)

Home: 9/5             Draw: 11/5            Away: 13/10

The Gulls have won their last four games at Plainmoor but that winning run will face a serious test when in-form Swindon visit the English Rivieira. Paolo Di Canio’s men are on a 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions and should they keep this form up will surely end the season with promotion from League Two. Swindon have picked up 11 points from a possible 15 on the road of late and I fancy their fine run to continue here. Torquay will give them a hard-fought game but I’m backing the Robins to come out on top. Back draw/Swindon at 19/4 in the half-time/full-time market.

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