Mark Langdon's Boxing Day Football: Predictions, Tips and Odds

The Racing Post's football betting expert Mark Langdon is on hand to deliver his best three bets on the Boxing Day coupon and he is looking to take on Manchester United for their away day at Wolves.

Mark Langdon's Boxing Day football betting tips and predictions

Wolves v Manchester United

Wolves or Draw - Double Chance - 5/6

There has been little festive cheer around Old Trafford this Christmas and Ruben Amorim's inconsistent start to life as Manchester United manager may not take a turn for the better at Molineux.

United are extremely difficult to trust as odds-on favourites away to Wolves after losing four of their last six matches in all competitions.

It could have been worse with a late two-goal swing against Manchester City turning the derby on its head and Rasmus Hojlund's 88th-minute winner earning the Red Devils a 2-1 UEFA Europa League success away to Viktoria Plzen.

A 2-0 loss at Arsenal is forgivable, however, it is less easy to turn a blind eye to the home losses to Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, who both scored three goals at Old Trafford. United also exited the League Cup in a chaotic 4-3 reverse at the hands of injury-hit Tottenham.

Amorim looks like he will be a decent manager in time, and he speaks well in press conferences, but the performances on the pitch have altered little since Erik ten Hag's departure.

Wolves, meanwhile, had the perfect start to life under Vitor Pereira as they beat Leicester 3-0 on Sunday, thanks in part to a helping hand from Foxes back-up goalkeeper Danny Ward.

Pereira made some interesting selections with his team, restoring goalkeeper Jose Sa to the side and the faith shown in Rodrigo Gomes and Goncalo Guedes was rewarded with goals.

The Molineux faithful will be right behind the new boss for his home debut and taking Wolves to avoid defeat on the Double Chance is the best bet.

Chelsea v Fulham

Fulham or Draw - Double Chance - 13/8

Fulham have been able to raise their game for the big matches this season and that could spell danger for their neighbours Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, who have failed to win four times at home in the Premier League already this season, look on the short side as they bid to bounce back from the disappointment of drawing 0-0 at Everton on Sunday when 75 percent possession went unrewarded.

Nicolas Jackson had a couple of opportunities in the first half on Merseyside, hitting the post and being denied by Jordan Pickford, but they soon fizzled out and offered little as the match went on.

The suspicion is that Chelsea are less comfortable when they don't have space to exploit and a savvy Fulham have the potential to make life awkward for the second-placed Blues.

Marco Silva's visitors have drawn four of their last five matches, but it has been a difficult run. The Cottagers took a point from trips to Tottenham and Liverpool and they also held Arsenal.

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace

Bournemouth to win - 17/20

There is no fluke about Bournemouth's run up to fifth in the Premier League table and they can maintain their push for European qualification by beating Crystal Palace at home.

Those who believe in expected goal data will note that Bournemouth are third on xG goal difference, which is usually a sound barometer of underlying data, and only Liverpool and Arsenal are ahead of the Cherries in the expected points table.

Bournemouth have taken several big scalps this season, beating Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham at home as well as Sunday's stunning 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United.

Andoni Iraola has several tricky forwards at his disposal - Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo were on target at Old Trafford - and leaky Palace could struggle to contain Bournemouth's lively attack.

Palace have kept only one away clean sheet this season and might find the hosts too hot to handle.

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.