League 1 Predictions New Year’s Day – Thursday 1st January 2026

WE kick-off the New Year 2026 with a full appetising programme of EFL League One matches.

All of the leading five contenders won on Monday evening. Therefore, promotion stakes are hotting up and 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…

Wycombe Wanderers v Cardiff City

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 9th versus 1st

Wycombe Wanderers preview – Eight points shy of Play-off discussions following a single win in eight attempts spanning all competitions. EFL home form is decent though bringing six victories, two draws and three defeats throughout 2025/26.

Cardiff City preview – Boasting a three point cushion. Seven maximum pointers within a potent eight match League sequence. Yousef Salech netted the late decider in Monday night’s important 2-1 success against visitors Stevenage and he is this division’s joint foremost scorer amassing 11 goals.

Score prediction: Cardiff cruise 2-0.

Lincoln City v Huddersfield Town

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

Lincoln City preview – League 1’s stand out match of the day. Lincoln lie three points off pole position and a point ahead of third place. Enjoying six games unbeaten incorporating five victories.

One home EFL defeat this season which was 1-0 against Exeter City on Saturday 4th October. The Imps haven’t graced English football’s second tier since 1961.

Huddersfield Town preview – Seven points behind their imminent hosts. The Terriers protect five undefeated EFL games.

That run culminated in three straight victories where 10 goals were scored and one conceded. Indeed they are divisional highest scorers on 42.

Score prediction: Tension fraught 1-1.

Mansfield Town v Bradford City

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 11th versus 3rd

Mansfield Town preview – Sitting in the upper half but merely three points above the dreaded dotted relegation line. Two consecutive victories – both on the road – overturning a six match winless streak containing five defeats.

Their previous EFL home triumph came on Tuesday 28th October when Plymouth Argyle were dispatched 2-0.

Bradford City preview – A point under the automatic promotion rungs after five wins among six League affairs. Building nicely on last season’s elevation from League Two.

Score prediction: Bradford City buoyant 1-0.

Northampton Town v Stockport County

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 19th versus 4th

Northampton Town preview – One point clear of relegation danger due to three defeats during four EFL outings. Furthermore, a solitary victory in five matches.

Stockport County preview – Six points beneath the top two. Currently delivering three wins inside five League games. Away fortunes are good this campaign reflecting six victories, two draws and two reverses.

Score prediction: Stockport sizzling 3-1.

Doncaster Rovers v Bolton Wanderers

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 23rd versus 6th

Doncaster Rovers preview – Five successive EFL defeats leaking 16 goals leave Donny four points short of safety.

Bolton Wanderers preview – Two losses in three League 1 engagements.

So the Trotters hover seven points below those automatic promotion spots. They must improve upon two away EFL victories across 2025/26.

Score prediction: Wanderers wizards 4-2.

Port Vale v Blackpool

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 24th versus 13th

Port Vale preview – Rock bottom Vale sacked manager Darren Moore on Sunday. Lead first team coach Jamie Smith has assumed interim duties and narrowly lost 1-0 away to Bradford City 24 hours later.

Presently 11 points adrift of the survival area and only three wins in 2025/26. The Valiants haven’t won an EFL encounter beyond beating Barnsley 2-0 at Oakwell on Saturday 27th September – some 13 fixtures ago.

They are also League 1’s lowest scorers by far recording 13 goals. Names being mentioned to fill the vacant post include Darren Ferguson, Jon Brady, Matt Bloomfield, Mark Kennedy and Liam Manning,

Blackpool preview – Four wins in a five match unconquered League spree. Yet just three points in front of the relegation zone.

Score prediction: Blackpool bound onwards 5-0.

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