New Year's Day Championship Tips: Bets for all 12 games on January 1st | OneFootball

EFL Championship

Betting Tips and Predictions for the first set of Championship fixtures in 2026

The festive fixture list continues apace, and Jack Critchley has used the Betfair Sportsbook to select his best bets from the 12 Championship fixtures taking place on New Year's Day...

Blackburn vs Wrexham - Welshmen to leave Ewood Park with at least a point

Thursday, 12:30, Live on Sky Sports Football

Blackburn laboured to a 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Monday night, with many of their players appearing to be running on empty. It's been a busy few weeks for all Championship outfits, yet Val Ismael has been unable to make too many changes due to the ever-increasing list of absentees, including Ryoya Morishita and Ryan Alebiosu, who would almost certainly be starters. They looked bereft of ideas going forward with an over-reliance on Todd Cantwell to provide fleeting moments of magic.

On a positive note, Rovers' defence seldom looks like being breached, and they allowed their struggling opponents just five shots throughout the 90 minutes. The hosts have kept three consecutive clean sheets and have conceded 2+ goals just once across the last nine games.

Wrexham picked up consecutive Championship victories for the first time this season and there is plenty of optimism coming into this contest. They weren't at their best against Preston and they looked incredibly open at times against Sheffield United, yet going forward, they are starting to click. Nathan Broadhead has taken time to settle into his new surroundings, but he's starting to produce consistent performances, whereas Ollie Rathbone has quickly become a fan favourite.

Their away form needs improvement and they are winless in eight on the road, but this looks like an ideal opportunity to end that run against the leggy hosts.

Bristol City vs Portsmouth - Ponderous 90 minutes at Ashton Gate

Thursday, 15:00, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Some Bristol City fans blamed Gerhard Struber for their defeat at Millwall on Monday night. They believe the Austrian didn't utilise his bench sufficiently and made the wrong decisions once the Robins had managed to claw themselves back into the game. It's been an up-and-down season for the Struber's men and he has been careful to manage the minutes of their injury-prone squad. This is another quick turnaround and may result in a lethargic first half for the tired hosts.

They've only suffered four defeats at home all season, with their last two losses coming against Blackburn and Millwall, both of whom are set up effectively for away games.

Portsmouth were involved in late drama at Fratton Park, netting a 98th-minute goal to secure all three points against one of the club's perceived 'bogey teams'. Charlton thought they'd secured a point before Yang Min-hyeok's strike settled the tie and prevented the sides above them from opening a gap.

Pompey's away form is still a cause for concern, yet they managed to pick up a point at Derby and are unbeaten in four overall. There will be plenty of optimism amongst the squad, although with Callum Lang and Josh Murphy both potentially out for this game, they may lack the creativity to secure their first away win since August.

Charlton vs Coventry - Charlton to take a hard-earned point from the leaders

Thursday, 15:00, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Charlton were left devastated by the late drama at Portsmouth, with the Addicks believing that they'd done enough to secure a point. Some fans have overreacted to the defeat, suggesting that Nathan Jones' time at the club may be coming to a close, however, there are still a few reasons to be positive. Joe Rankin-Costello looked assured in his first league start and Reece Burke appeared to be back to his best following injury. Their home record is generally solid, beating Oxford here recently and putting up a decent second-half display against high-flying Boro.

Jones will quickly put that result to one side and he will make sure his team is highly competitive and motivated for this fixture with the leaders.

Coventry were second best all over the pitch at home to Ipswich on Monday night and there is the general consensus is that they have been below their best for the majority of December. They do possess quality with Ephron Mason-Clark proving a handful, but the likes of Victor Torp and Jack Rudoni looked a little undercooked at the CBS and this is yet another quick turnaround. Considering their lofty position, Cov's away form isn't the best, and they are winless in three on the road. This will be far from straightforward for Lampard's men.

Derby vs Middlesbrough - Back BTTS at Pride Park

Thursday, 15:00, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Derby's winless run extended to three matches as their barren festive period continued at the King Power. The Rams will look to the transfer market for reinforcements in January with Danish midfielder Oscar Fraulo seemingly set to sign to bolster the midfield. They could also do with increasing their firepower with Carlton Morris' long-term injury leaving them short of options in forward areas. They are consistent when it comes to finding the back of the net, scoring in all but two of their Championship matches so far, yet they've netted 2+ goals just once in their last seven and that came against rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday. PNE are the only team to have stopped them from getting on the scoresheet at Pride Park so far this campaign.

Kim Hellberg cut a forlorn figure following his side's home defeat to Hull on Monday night. His honeymoon period has been cut short with the Teesiders having taken just one point from a possible nine and failing to score in each of the last three. He must find a way to get more out of his misfiring strikers, none of whom has netted more than three goals so far. They still have defensive absentees, but given their promising xG numbers, it feels unlikely that they will draw a fourth consecutive blank on Thursday afternoon.

Hull vs Stoke - Tigers to take advantage of free-falling Stoke

Thursday, 15:00, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Hull produced a sensational defensive display to thwart Middlesbrough on Monday. Sergej Jakirovic deserves credit for switching to a back three and then improvising following the early injury to Ryan Giles. Youngster Cathal McCarthy was called from the bench and was excellent throughout, helping to earn his side a valuable three points and an unlikely clean sheet. There is a feel-good factor amongst the squad and they have dealt admirably with several injuries to key players this month.

Five wins from seven have helped to lift them up to fourth in the table and somewhat surprisingly, given their early-season defensive displays, they've managed three shutouts in their last five. Only three sides have left the MKM with maximum points this season.

Stoke's descent continued on Monday with a fifth defeat in seven. The fans booed the players following the full-time whistle with Mark Robins calling the supporters out in his post-match interview. With the fans and manager at loggerheads, it doesn't bode well for this fixture and they will also be without Ben Pearson, who was sent off on Monday night. They haven't scored an away goal since November 22nd, and they may struggle to break down the hosts here.

Ipswich vs Oxford - Tractor Boys to outclass struggling Yellows

Thursday, 15:00, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Ipswich served up one of their best performances of the season, completely dominating leaders Coventry at the CBS. It was a faultless display from the Tractor Boys, who have stuttered their way through the campaign so far. This turned out to be a perfect night for Kieran McKenna's men, who gained ground on the pacesetters and also saw Middlesbrough lose to Hull. With other teams being forced to fill their benches with youth teamers, the fact that McKenna could turn to Wes Burns, Chuba Akpom and Jaden Philogene speaks volumes about squad depth.

At home, they barely put a foot wrong, conceding just 0.83 goals per game and having restricted Coventry to an xG of just 0.8 on their own patch, they should be able to keep Oxford at arm's length.

The visitors came back down to earth with a bump as they were tamely defeated 1-0 at home to Swansea. The Yellows have seemingly identified their top managerial target and are likely to make the announcement following this fixture, Craig Short will continue to take short in the interim. They've failed to score in two of their last three and have netted just six times in their last nine away trips.

Preston vs Sheffield Wednesday - Owls to fight valiantly but fall short

Thursday, 15:00, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Preston's games are generally extremely tight. Five of their last eight have ended all-square and they haven't been involved in a game which has been decided by more than a one goal margin since November 1st. Nevertheless, many of their fans have been left a little disappointed by some of their recent performances, mostly linked to the inclusion of Liam Lindsay. The defender has been blamed for PNE's slack defending at times, although he may have a slightly easier time of it here.

The Lilywhites have failed to win any of their last four matches at Deepdale which may be part of the reason for the fan frustration, however, they are yet to be defeated when hosting top half sides. This is a different proposition completely and they will be expected to dominate and the fans will be extremely disappointed if they aren't able to collect maximum points.

It's been a terrible season so far, yet Sheffield Wednesday's festive period has been perfectly acceptable with two battling performances helping to secure points against both Hull and Blackburn. With several players missing, they have had to count on youth players and they have stepped up admirably. Another quick turnaround is far from ideal and they may just come unstuck against a side with plenty of nous.

QPR vs Norwich - Points shared at Loftus Road

Thursday, 15:00, Live on Sky Sports+ App

QPR turned in one of the poorest performances of the season on Monday night going down 2-1 at WBA. It was a concerning performance with the R's managing just three shots in target and failing to land a single effort on target. Koki Saito struggled throughout, Sam Field was anonymous and Esquerdina's performance suggested that he isn't ready for this level yet. At home, they've been flying and scoring for fun, but they may not find it easy against a Norwich side, who have become a lot tougher to beat throughout December.

The Canaries lost 1-0 to Watford, although they probably deserved a draw. They are still in the relegation zone and needed to improve their output in the final third. They badly missed Jovon Makama on Monday, with Josh Sargent drawing a blank whilst leading the line. They won't make this easy, yet they're also unlikely to create a bucketload of chances with injuries taking their toll on Philippe Clement's squad.

Southampton vs Millwall - Lions to frustrate the faltering Saints

Thursday, 15:00, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Southampton have failed to win any of their last four matches, with Tonda Eckert's side hitting a sticky patch. Fans have complained that their side have looked far less adventurous since their nervy 3-2 success over WBA on December 9th, with players preferring to pass sideways and backwards instead of taking a far more cavalier approach.

Eckert opted to rest Leo Scienza for their 1-1 draw with Birmingham and the Brazilian may be reinstated for this game. He is capable of offering something a little different and can break the lines of the opposition defence. Supporters may also be concerned by their team's lack of clean sheets, with Eckert failing to tighten up the defence. It's just three shutouts all season and just one clean sheet since October 18th.

Millwall enjoyed a positive festive period, taking four points from a possible six. Alex Neil's side are badly in need of reinforcements and are finding a way to improvise until the January transfer window opens. That approach has served them well and allowed them to nullify Ipswich. They will take a similar approach here. They are decent on the road and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them leave St. Mary's with a point.

Swansea vs West Brom - Baggies to struggle on the road once again

Thursday, 15:00, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Although they cannot take it easy just yet, Swansea have managed to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone. Vitor Matos' side have won four of their last six and have become a lot tougher to beat since the change of management. Matos is still unbeaten at home and the hosts have won each of their last three here. They lack quality in the final third, yet in Zan Viptonik, they have a player in double figures, something that very few Championship teams possess.

There is plenty of work to do in January with attacking reinforcements required, however, until they can recruit, they are making the most of resources and grinding out results.

Ryan Mason has bought himself a little more time with a 2-1 victory over QPR on Monday. Baggies fans remain mostly unconvinced by the former Spurs boss, yet he seems to pick up victories at crucial times allowing him a little more breathing room. If he is the long-term solution, Mason must find a way to sort out their inferior away form. The Baggies have lost eight consecutive matches on the road and have failed to find the net in 50% of those. This could be another tough afternoon on their travels.

Watford vs Birmingham - Brum to fall short in Hertfordshire

Thursday, 15:00, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Across the last six matches, Watford have the best form in the division, taking 14 points and scoring ten times. Javi Gracia's men probably didn't deserve to take all three points at Norwich on Monday, but they are persistent and the squad is clearly playing for the manager. Their home form has been solid all season, and they've had no issues picking up points at Vicarage Road and odds of 13/10 suggest that their fine run of form is expected to continue here.

They have difference makers in their XI and Gracia opted to go unchanged for their previous two games. Given the hectic nature of the schedule, he may opt to mix things up for this one, although Vivaldo Semedo and Nestory Irankunda aren't bad deputies.

Birmingham lost Jay Stansfield to injury on Monday and are reliant on the misfiring Kyogo Furahashi. The Blues are expected to strengthen substantially in the January window, although they will need to mend and make do with their existing squad for this fixture. They haven't won since beating Watford at St. Andrews on December 1st and have taken just a single point from a possible 18 on the road since mid-October.

Sheffield United vs Leicester - Another entertaining televised tie at Bramall Lane

Thursday, 17:30, Live on Sky Sports Football

Sheffield United are still too inconsistent, yet they've progressed well under Chris Wilder, and they've undoubtedly improved their output going forward. With players returning from injury and options for rotation, the Blades are free-flowing in the final third, netting eight times in their last three. They've looked dangerous at Bramall Lane with the home crowd witnessing 11 goals across their last four games here, and they should cause plenty of issues for Leicester's flimsy back-line.

For all their quality going forward, the hosts' defence has struggled with the combination of Tyler Bindon and Japhet Tanganga struggling to dominate aerially.

Leicester got a much-needed victory over Derby on Monday, giving Marti Cifuentes some much-needed respite. The Foxes have conceded an average of 1.67 goals per game on the road, and their away matches have averaged 3.08 goals. They haven't kept a clean sheet away from the KP since August 23rd and they are unlikely to keep the hosts quiet for long in the Steel City.

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