Expert EFL predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs

When to bet

Kick-offs from 12.30pm

Best bets

Swansea
Kick-off 3pm
2pts 13-10 Betfair

Lincoln draw no bet
Kick-off 3pm
2pts 31-20 Betfair, Paddy Power

Exeter
Kick-off 3pm
3pts 17-20 Hills

Bradford
Kick-off 3pm
3pts 11-8 Coral, Ladbrokes

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Dan Childs's EFL predictions

Swansea vs Luton

Swansea gave their supporters a belated Christmas gift with an impressive 3-0 home triumph over QPR on Boxing Day and they can wrap up 2024 with a win over struggling Luton.

Pushing towards the playoff places in the Championship will be Swansea's goal for 2025, but they will need to display greater consistency than they have done this season.

Luke Williams' Swans have recorded back-to-back league victories on only two occasions this term but they should be in high spirits after one of their most accomplished performances of the campaign.

Swansea impressed from the off against QPR and had the game sewn up with barely half an hour on the clock thanks to a three-goal blitz.

It was the sixth time in eight games that Swansea had scored at least two goals and they also limited to Rangers to just four shots, none of which were on target.

Luton will hope to offer more of a threat but they head to South Wales on a dismal run of eight successive away defeats.

The Hatters were edged aside 1-0 in an even contest at Bristol City on Thursday and find themselves 18th in the second-tier standings, a major disappointment for a team who began the season with high hopes of challenging for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Manager Rob Edwards has persisted with a direct approach which has been far more effective at Kenilworth Road, where the Bedfordshire side have amassed 21 of their 25 points.

Luton have been far too easy to play against on their travels and may fall to a tenth away loss of the campaign.

Bolton vs Lincoln

Lincoln's playoff aspirations took a hit on Thursday as they were beaten 1-0 at Shrewsbury, but they could produce the perfect response on their trip to Bolton.

The Imps were unbeaten in four games prior to their narrow loss to the Shrews, who are showing improvement under boss Gareth Ainsworth.

Michael Skubala's visitors had drawn 2-2 at highflying Huddersfield on their previous awayday, and a similar performance would give them every chance of beating a Bolton side going through a difficult patch.

The Trotters started the season with automatic-promotion hopes but they have slipped to tenth in League One after taking just one point from their last three games.

Bolton were beaten 2-1 at home by Barnsley on Boxing Day and Lincoln may add to their worries.

Exeter vs Crawley

Back-to-back victories have helped propel Exeter into the top half of League One and the Grecians can continue their resurgence with a victory over struggling Crawley at St James Park.

There are several big clubs in the third tier this season but Exeter are showing what can be achieved on a modest budget.

The Grecians are only four points adrift of the playoffs positions and should have the measure of fourth-bottom Crawley, who were fairly uncompetitive in their 3-0 loss at Leyton Orient on Thursday.

Crawley are hampered by several problems and may be low on energy as they prepare to tackle their third match in seven days.

Bradford vs Chesterfield

Injuries are becoming a major issue for League Two promotion chasers Chesterfield, who head to Bradford just three days after a dispiriting 2-0 defeat at Fleetwood.

The threadbare Spireites struggled against a Fleetwood side who went into Thursday's contest without a win in six games. And they are unlikely to fare any better against Bradford, who moved up to tenth after star striker Andy Cook netted a double in their 2-1 home triumph over second-placed Port Vale.

Accumulator

Swansea 5-4, Exeter 17-20, Bradford 13-10, Salford 3-4
£1 acca returns £16.75 with Hills

First goalscorer

Mark Harris Oxford v Plymouth
at 6-1 Betfair, Power

Harris opened the scoring in Oxford's 3-2 victory at home to Cardiff and he can cap off a great week by breaking the deadlock against Plymouth.

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New customers only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1x £10 Free Bet on Football, 1x £10 Free Bet on Horse Racing, 2 x £10 Free Bet Builders. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply.

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