Our League One Tips for the Weekend - 26/12/21

Lincoln City welcome MK Dons in a mid-table Championship fixture at the LNER Stadium. The hosts sit 19th, winless in five, and failing to score in all but one of these fixtures whereas in contrast, the visitors have two wins and a draw from their past five, and have scored on each occasion.

From 10 away games this season, Liam Mannings's side have only lost three times, with the Dons seeming to be a tough visitor for any opponent. We expect all three points to return to Stadium MK, and with Lincoln's recent troubles in front of goal, our tip is MK Dons to win to nil priced at 10/3.

Second-placed Wigan Athletic face bottom side Crewe Alexandra as the Latic’s will look to take home all three points. Wigan are undefeated in their past five and have scored an impressive 40 goals this season, only bettered by top side Rotherham.

Although rock bottom, Crewe have seen a recent upturn in form, winning two of the last five and scoring seven of their 19 league goals in the process, an increase from the 12 goals in 17 held prior to these games. With this in mind, the superior position and form of Leam Richardson’s side will likely see the points return to the DW Stadium, however, the home side may fancy their chances to make the score sheet, with our tip Wigan to win and both teams to score priced at 5/2.

High-flying Rotherham will celebrate Christmas at the top of the table ahead of a trip to face Accrington Stanley at the weekend. Both teams are in good form with the league leaders winning four of their past five, with the visitors just one behind on three setting this up to be a highly competitive affair.

Rotherham forward Michael Smith is the league's second top scorer with 12 goals, however, he has failed to find the back of the net since a brace against Sunderland in late October. Through his goal drought, manager Paul Warne has seen others step up, with midfielder Daniel Barlaser seeing all five of his goals this season come within the past six games, including scoring in the last three. We back Barlaser to continue his fine form, with the midfielder to score anytime priced at 15/4.

Following last season's relegation, hosts Sheffield Wednesday are looking for an instant return to the Championship and with the season nearing the halfway mark, Darren Moore’s side are within touching distance of a play-off spot. The Owls are in good form, winning three times and drawing twice in their last five, and this weekend welcome Burton Albion, who have two wins on the bounce.

Moore’s side have also scored twice in four of their last five games, whereas the visitors haven’t managed to score more than once per game in this timeframe. With this in mind, our prediction is Sheffield Wednesday to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1, priced at 7/4.

Plymouth Argyle started the season immensely looking likely the early favourites for automatic promotion to the Championship, however after a downturn in form seeing the Pilgrims lose four of the past five, new manager Steven Schumacher will have to settle for fifth place on Christmas Day.

Hosts Cheltenham sit 14th and haven’t won since a victory over Gillingham in late November, taking just two points from the last four games. Although being poor of late, after winning last time out Schumacher's side may look to rekindle their chances of Championship football next season, and will look to take all three points back to Home Park, with a win priced at 6/5.