League 1 Predictions Boxing Day – Friday 26th December 2025

SEASON’S greetings to all League One devotees as we approach a massive Boxing Day programme.

Bumper crowds are expected because all of the best supported teams are playing on home soil. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are four crowds of 20,000-plus. Accordingly, League One betting activity is proving very popular.

Here are the pairings I am anticipating most alongside considered score predictions to guide your football betting…

Cardiff City v Exeter City

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 1st versus 20th

Cardiff City preview – Three points clear in pole position and leading League One scorers amassing 37 goals. Christmas number one Cardiff may well attract a massive 30,000-plus gate on Boxing Day.

They had 33,027 present for the recent League Cup visit of Chelsea. Saturday’s 2-1 reverse at fellow promotion candidates Lincoln City abruptly terminated five straight EFL victories for the Bluebirds.

Exeter City preview – Avoiding the dreaded dotted relegation line on goal difference after two wins amid three League outings. Also battling much publicised financial concerns.

Score prediction: Bluebirds’ Boxing Day bonanza 5-0.

Stockport County v Lincoln City

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 5th versus 2nd

Stockport County preview – League One’s top match of the day. Stockport lie three points beneath their imminent opponents following two wins across three EFL engagements. Boosted this week due to the return from blood clot surgery of midfield man Ollie Norwood.

Lincoln City preview – Three points off first spot protecting a four match unbeaten EFL run. In fact, four maximum pointers inside six games. I was particularly impressed by Saturday’s 2-1 home triumph over frontrunners Cardiff City. The Imps haven’t graced English football’s second tier since 1961.

Score prediction: A thriller 3-3.

Bradford City v Wigan Athletic

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 3rd versus 14th

Bradford City preview – One point below automatic promotion discussions. Saturday’s 2-1 beating at Leyton Orient ended a four match EFL unconquered spree containing four clean sheets. Their single home defeat throughout 2025/26 was 2-1 against Burton Albion on Saturday 8th November.

Wigan Athletic preview – Three points higher than relegation danger. However, Saturday’s 2-0 home setback versus Blackpool signalled a first EFL loss in eight matches. Contrastingly, the Latics’ only away League win in 2025/26 arrived on Saturday 22nd November, 2-1 at AFC Wimbledon.

Score prediction: Wigan wonderland 1-0.

AFC Wimbledon v Stevenage

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 13th versus 4th

AFC Wimbledon preview – Nursing seven EFL games lacking victories. The Dons’ last League home win came 2-1 against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday 27th September.

Stevenage preview – Their greatest ever campaign sitting three points shy of those automatic promotion rungs. One defeat during six EFL matches. In addition, Boro boast the division’s tightest defensive rearguard being breached merely 15 times overall.

Score prediction: Stevenage shipshape 2-1.

Bolton Wanderers v Rotherham United

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 6th versus 18th

Bolton Wanderers preview – Enjoying a three point cushion filling the final Play-Off place. But their 2-1 defeat away to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday shattered Bolton’s seven match unbeaten EFL sequence. The Trotters are yet to lose at home all season registering seven League wins and three draws.

Rotherham United preview – One point above relegation matters. Rotherham haven’t won in six EFL attempts whilst losing the past three games.

Score prediction: Trotters hot to trot 3-0.

Huddersfield Town v Port Vale

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 7th versus 24th

Huddersfield Town preview – Three points under the Play-Off conversations. Three EFL matches unbeaten with one defeat in five.

Port Vale preview – Rock bottom some eight points short of safety. Vale haven’t won in 10 EFL affairs. Furthermore they are League One’s lowest scorers recording 13 goals. Thus, boss Darren Moore features heavily in divisional sack race odds.

Score prediction: Huddersfield home and hosed 4-1.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*