Dan Childs' expert predictions and betting tips for the New Year's Day fixtures in the EFL

When to bet

Kick-offs from 12.30pm

Best bets

Coventry
Kick-off 3pm
2pts 11-8 Hills

Charlton
Kick-off 3pm
3pts 10-11 general

MK Dons draw no bet
Kick-off 3pm
2pts 13-10 BoyleSports, Hills

Salford
Kick-off 3pm
2pts 10-11 Coral, Hills, Ladbrokes

Dan Childs's EFL predictions

Cardiff v Coventry

Frank Lampard has made a positive start to his stint as Coventry manager and the Premier League legend can begin 2025 on a winning note at Championship strugglers Cardiff.

Taking over from the revered Mark Robins was never going to be an easy task but Lampard appears to be winning over the doubters.

The 46-year-old has presided over three wins, two draws and two defeats to lift the Sky Blues a couple of places in the table. But there is a lot more work to be done if Lampard is to satisfy the ambitions of Coventry owner Doug King, who wants to see the team competing for promotion.

Nevertheless, Lampard has impressed by overseeing some early improvements without the help of top scorer Haji Wright, who remains sidelined by an ankle injury.

Coventry had to settle for a 0-0 draw at home to a stubborn Millwall side on Sunday but they should find it easier to create chances against Cardiff, who have gone 11 matches without a clean sheet.

Cardiff snapped a nine-game winless run at the weekend with a deserved 2-1 victory at Watford, who had been previously unbeaten at Vicarage Road.

However, it was a disjointed performance from the Hornets, who started the game without suspended attacker Kwadwo Baah and were forced to substitute classy midfielder Imran Louza and exciting winger Rocco Vata in the second half.

Cardiff sat back and successfully soaked up pressure on Sunday but similar tactics are unlikely to payoff against Coventry, who can pick up their eighth league win of the campaign.

Crawley v Charlton

Charlton have racked up three straight League One wins for the first time since August and can continue their push towards the playoffs with victory at Crawley.

There is a lot of expectation on Charlton and after a period of inconsistency, they are starting to show their potential.

The Addicks have benefited from having a healthier squad with several key players returning. And the biggest positive has been the availability of striker Miles Leaburn, who started his season in October after returning from a ten-month layoff.

Leaburn took a while to get back to full match sharpness but he has netted four times in his last three matches and should make a huge impact over the rest of the season.

While Charlton begin the new year in excellent shape, Crawley looked stretched as they prepare for their fourth match of five inside 13 days.

The Red Devils had a lot of injuries going into those fixtures and were not helped by having to host Birmingham just two days before Christmas Day.

They were beaten 3-0 at Leyton Orient on Thursday and then drew 4-4 at Exeter on Sunday despite having led 4-1 at half-time.

Fatigue played a part in Crawley's collapse at Exeter and a lack of energy could also hamper their efforts against Charlton.

Chesterfield v MK Dons

MK Dons signed off for 2024 by taking only one point from four games, but they are still just five points adrift of the playoffs in League Two and can re-energise their promotion bid with victory at Chesterfield.

Scott Lindsey's Dons had lost three in a row before an improved performances on Sunday helped them draw 1-1 with Crewe.

Three points separate the visitors in 11th from ninth-placed Chesterfield, who are doing okay on their return the Football League but nothing more.

However, the Spireites have suffered a spate of injuries and could suffer a third successive defeat.

Harrogate v Salford

Promotion-chasing Salford are one of the form teams in the entire EFL and they can make it six wins in seven league outings by defeating strugglers Harrogate at Wetherby Road.

The Ammies have won just  twice on their travels in League Two this season but should have too much quality for their hosts, who have taken only one point from their last six fixtures.

Accumulator

Burnley 8-13, Coventry 11-8, Charlton 10-11, Salford 10-11
£1 acca returns £14.07 with Hills

First goalscorer

Ben Tollitt Morecambe v Tranmere
at 7-1 Betfair, BoyleSports, Power

Morecambe winger Tollitt has starred in a struggling League Two side, scoring six goals, and can deliver the opening blow in a key fixture against relegation rivals Tranmere.

Read more EFL predictions . . .

• Sunderland vs Sheffield United predictions, betting tips and odds: Black Cats can bounce back 
• Top tips and betting odds for QPR vs Watford, Swindon vs Colchester and Hull vs Middlesbrough 
• Football accumulator tips for Wednesday, January 1: Back our 12-1 acca with Ladbrokes

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