Championship
Fixture: Wolves 1-3 Preston
Venue: Molineux (Wolves home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: Despite their lofty position just one place shy of the play-offs, it is very difficult to see Preston getting any change out of the league leaders at home. Wolves continue to be super impressive while Preston have suffered a dip in form of late losing away to play-off rivals QPR and failing to beat Burnley at home.
Betting Advice: 4pts Wolves to win at 4/6 (1.67 generally)
Fixture: Blackpool P-P Birmingham
Venue: Bloomfield Road (Blackpool home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: Birmingham take the Championship's best away record to Bloomfield Road knowing that they must extend their unbeaten run to three if they are going to keep pace with Reading and ward off Cardiff. Blackpool are no great shakes by the seaside this season and have a tendency to look for the draw at home against the bigger teams something that Birmingham's extensive artillery should exploit.
Betting Advice: 3pts Birmingham to win at 11/10 (2. 1 generally)
League One
Fixture: Southend P-P Crewe
Venue: Roots Hall (Southend home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: Southend have lost their way a bit of late, but there were signs that they could be back on track with a 93rd minute winner against ten-man Northampton over the Christmas period. That should give them some confidence and a home tie against bottom club Crewe, although I am having to put their freakish 4-1 win at Hartlepool down to the brief return of Crewe legend Dario Gradi.
Betting Advice: 2pts Southend to win at 4/5 (1.8 at Ladbrokes)
Fixture: Cheltenham P-P Millwall
Venue: Whaddon Road (Cheltenham home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: Millwall should make it a miserable new year for Cheltenham who were thumped 6-3 by Peterborough in an absolute cracker last time out. Millwall are a good outside bet to go up automatically with Leicester this season, although they will need to improve in front of goal to catch MK Dons in second.
Betting Advice: 2pts Millwall to win at 11/8 (2.38 at BlueSq and 888sport)
Fixture: Tranmere P-P Peterborough
Venue: Prenton Park (Tranmere home)
Kick-off: 3pm GMT
Verdict: A trip to Tranmere can test the best of teams, but I have every confidence in Peterborough, who are an attacking, exciting side to watch and one that are real dark horses for promotion.
Betting Advice: 2pts Peterborough to win at 7/4 (2.75 generally)
