Championship betting tips: The 28/1 double that could box off Xmas nicely

As our good friend Bing Crosby famously sang – and he was dead right – it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

So get your feet up, your leftover turkey sandwiches into you and prepare to make back the few quid you spent on deodorant sets for all the relatives you see once a year.

One too many times, if you ask me.

Preston to Win and Both Teams to Score (10/1)

Leeds v Preston, Thursday 17:15

Leeds will score, because they’ll never fully give their partisan fanbase enough of a reason to actually complain. If they went without finding the target, there might actually be grounds to boo or give out about being second in the most competitive division in England.

Preston have lost their way a bit, but a shift in style where Alex Neil is now leaning more towards exploiting space on the break could work out perfectly for them.

So, let’s consider the factors at play here: Leeds are at home on one of the biggest footballing days of the year; there’s a huge crowd in; half the country is watching – and they’re expected to win. You know what happens here, surely?

It’s a bit early for even a Leeds United meltdown, but the footballing Gods have had a meeting and they all agree that Preston walk out of this with three points. Them’s the rules, unfortunately.

George Puscas to Score Anytime (17/10)

Reading v QPR, Thursday 19:30

The best striker on pure ability in the Championship, Puscas has struggled recently to keep pace with his own incredible start to life in England’s second tier – but a Boxing Day goal just seems right for him.

When you factor in that QPR have the third-worst record in the division, and that these sides are only separated by two places in the table, the safe bet is to not go near a result market – instead, focus on the quality, because these games can often be mundane.

The Rs’ 20 goals shipped on the road this campaign is flirting with the two-goal-a-game mark and if they open up against a plucky Reading team, they’ll be punished by one man who can score from any angle.

Bet Summary

• Leeds v Preston: Preston to Win and Both Teams to Score (10/1)
• Reading v QPR: George Puscas to Score Anytime (17/10)

A £/€1 double on these selections returns £/€29.70 including stake on pp.com. Odds correct at time of posting, subject to change.