Leyton Orient vs. Crawley (Thursday, 1.00pm)
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Leyton Orient square off against Crawley Town on Boxing Day looking for the win that could take the club into the top half of the League One table.
However, the visitors make their way to Brisbane Road sitting just six points adrift of their hosts, despite being in the relegation zone.
We say: Leyton Orient 2-1 Crawley Town
With both teams having been in relatively good form of late, this should prove to be a competitive encounter. However, with an unbeaten run and longer recovery period in their favour, we have to back Orient to come through this game, potentially during the closing stages.
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Birmingham vs. Burton Albion (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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Looking to move off into the third-tier sunset with 2025 on the horizon, Birmingham City will welcome relegation-threatened Burton Albion to St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Boxing Day in League One.
Blues delivered late on the road last time out at a disruptive and stubborn Crawley Town, whilst the Brewers suffered a home defeat to Exeter City on the weekend.
We say: Birmingham City 3-0 Burton Albion
With a sold-out St Andrew's crowd expecting a routine win, Birmingham should be more than capable of breezing past the attentions of Burton.
The Brewers are likely to enjoy just a slither of the ball in the Second City and could be overwhelmed by the occasion as they battle the title favourites.
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Bolton vs. Barnsley (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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Bolton Wanderers are set to host Barnsley at Toughsheet Community Stadium on Boxing Day in what could be a crucial match in the race for promotion from League One.
Neither side are in the best form at the moment, but the visitors have lost four of their last five games and the hosts may see this as the perfect opportunity to take points from their rivals.
We say: Bolton Wanderers 1-2 Barnsley
Given that Barnsley have been so strong away from home this season, Clarke's side are likely to score at least once on Thursday.
Additionally, while Bolton will put up a fight, their defensive weakness this term may cause them to surrender all three points to their playoff rivals.
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Charlton vs. Cambridge (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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Charlton Athletic play host to Cambridge United on Boxing Day looking for the win that will keep the Addicks in close proximity to the playoff places.
At a time when the home side sit in 10th position in the League One table, Cambridge head to The Valley four points adrift of safety.
We say: Charlton Athletic 3-1 Cambridge United
Having suffered two heavy defeats of late, we have to anticipate that Cambridge are not high on belief right now. With that in mind, we are backing Charlton to come through with a comfortable win, one that would keep them interested in the top six.
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Exeter vs. Bristol Rovers (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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Gary Caldwell's Exeter City are set to host David Horseman's struggling Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day at St James Park in League One.
The Grecians came from behind to win 2-1 last time out against Burton Albion, while Bristol Rovers ended a three-game loss streak in the league with a 1-1 draw against high-flying Wrexham.
We say: Exeter City 1-0 Bristol Rovers
Neither side come into this match in the best form, though Exeter may have gained some confidence having won last time out.
Additionally, with the Gas' struggles in front of goal it is difficult to see them scoring in this game, and the Grecians can be expected to pick up all three points in a narrow win.
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Huddersfield vs. Stockport (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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In a promotion 'six-pointer', Huddersfield Town are set to host Stockport County at John Smith's Stadium on Boxing Day in League One.
Last time out, the Terriers put on a dominant display and won 4-0 away to relegation-threatened Cambridge United, while the Hatters beat high-scoring Peterborough United 2-1 at home.
We say: Huddersfield Town 3-1 Stockport County
Both Huddersfield and Stockport are certainly capable of winning this 'six-pointer', and it is reasonable to picture both sides scoring at some point during the match.
However, the Terriers are currently the most in-form team in League One, and given their momentum is undeniable, it is hard to see anything other than a win for Duff's side on Boxing Day.
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Peterborough vs. Mansfield (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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High-scoring Peterborough United are set to host playoff hopefuls Mansfield Town at Weston Homes Stadium on Boxing Day in League One.
Last time out, the hosts missed out on the chance to make it three wins on the bounce when they lost 2-1 to Stockport County, while the visitors picked up all three points in a 1-0 win over Rotherham United.
We say: Peterborough United 2-1 Mansfield Town
Given Peterborough's shocking defensive record, it is highly likely that Mansfield will score on Thursday.
However, the Posh's contrastingly potent attack may prove too much for Clough's promoted side to handle, and that firepower could earn the home side all three points on Boxing Day.
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Reading vs. Northampton (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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Reading and Northampton Town hope for some festive League One cheer when they face off at the Madejski Stadium on Boxing Day.
Neither side enters gameweek 22 in pleasing form: the Royals are winless in three league games (losing two) and take on a relegation-threatened opponent who have lost three on the trot without scoring.
We say: Reading 2-0 Northampton Town
While Northampton could be boosted by a different voice in the dressing room, the hosts should secure a routine win on Boxing Day.
Reading have the fifth-best home return in League One, and that statistic should be advantageous against an opponent winless in their last eight road matches (five losses).
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Rotherham vs. Wigan (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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Aiming for a fourth consecutive League One victory at the New York Stadium, Rotherham United welcome Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day, keen to secure maximum points in gameweek 22.
Although the visitors have avoided losing in two matches, it will be interesting to see if the Latics' mixed away record holds out against one of the in-form home sides in the third tier.
We say: Rotherham United 1-1 Wigan Athletic
Wigan have had Rotherham's number in recent meetings, winning three and playing out as many draws in the past six match-ups since the Millers' 3-1 EFL Cup success in 2018.
With recent history in the Latics' favour, we back Maloney's men to frustrate the home team and eke out a low-scoring draw.
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Shrewsbury vs. Lincoln (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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Boxing Day action in the English third tier pits bottom Shrewsbury Town against a Lincoln City outfit 18 places higher in the League One table heading into the gameweek 22 fixture at New Meadow.
The hosts, nine points from safety, showed some fight to draw against Wigan before Christmas, but they face a different test against play-off hopefuls on Thursday.
We say: Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Lincoln City
Cellar-dwelling Shrewsbury have struggled for clean sheets all season, failing to add to August's shut-out against Leyton Orient, and that pattern should continue against Lincoln.
Despite the away side's ranking, their inability to win on the road in seven attempts, including a meek loss to relegation-threatened Crawley (3-0), suggests Thursday will be far from straightforward; thus, the spoils could be shared on Boxing Day, with both teams scoring.
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Stevenage vs. Wycombe (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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Wycombe Wanderers make the trip to Stevenage on Boxing Day looking to retain their place in the top two of the League One table.
However, they travel to the Lamex Stadium to face a team that have recently put together a five-match unbeaten streak in the third tier.
We say: Stevenage 1-3 Wycombe Wanderers
Having recently taken the scalp of Stockport, Stevenage know that they have the qualities to overcome some of the best teams in this division. However, we cannot back them to get the better of this Wycombe side, who we expect to finish strongly to claim the win.
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Wrexham vs. Blackpool (Thursday, 3.00pm)
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In a clash that could affect the race for the title and the race for promotion, Wrexham are set to welcome Blackpool to the Racecourse Ground on Thursday in their 22nd League One game of the campaign.
The hosts are in third place with 42 points following their 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers on December 21 and are just three points from first-placed Birmingham City, whereas the visitors are 12th with 27 points and are four points from sixth-placed Lincoln City, who occupy the league's final promotion playoff spot.
We say: Wrexham 2-1 Blackpool
Wrexham have a healthy squad compared to Blackpool and should be confident of regularly threatening their opponents.
The hosts' form at home is also excellent, and it is difficult to see how the visitors can avoid defeat on Thursday.
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Barney Corkhill
