English Football League / Alan Dudman / 24 December 2008 /

Alan Dudman found himself a little bored recently and took watching poor reality TV to a whole new level. But thankfully he's back to doing what he does best - tipping League one matches. Here's what he fancies for the Boxing Day fixtures.

I have found myself ever so bored over the past couple of days....something to do with everything and everyone winding down for Christmas. Although admittedly, I have been operating in this mode for some ten years or so now.

Things had got so bad this week that I found myself watching Celebrity Come Dine With Me. Well, if I were to mention that one of the celebrities were Michelle Heaton - you kinda know you're in trouble. Her quote when walking down the stairs of: 'I have no knickers on' meant it was only going to improve.

Sadly it didn't, but it's Christmas, who cares? And curiously I remained glued to the screen.

Anyway, Peter Stringfellow's Steak wasn't that nice, neither was Michelle's. Lee Ryan didn't know what thyme was (he called it fyme) and Linda Barker remains orange.

I have something in common with Barker. I too have in fact indulged in the odd fake tan or two. On more than one occasion I looked as though I had jaundice, but the final straw was using far too much on my arms and ending up looking like a stripey tiger.

Quite what that has to do with this week's football I don't know, but then that hasn't stopped me before.

Just before we look ahead to our Boxing Day fixtures, there is news of yet another managerial change in League One.....the ninth casualty of the season in this division alone!

Predictably Gary McAllister got the chop at Leeds after five successive defeats. Did this really warrant his sacking? I didn't think so. But then nobody gets any time these days. I for one am deeply saddened by this, as I have met McAllister, and he is a top professional and a top guy.

Incidentally Leeds are now as high as [20.00] to be crowned Champions, and trade at [4.00] for promotion. Leeds have no chance on both markets, they just can't defend.

Good luck Simon Grayson, you'll need it.

Walsall [2.90] versus Stockport County [2.66] the draw [3.55]

This game really caught my eye....the other eye was focussed on someone coming down the stairs.

Stockport are bang in form, Walsall are not. Stockport are grand away from home, Walsall at home are not. Stockport's Jim Gannon is manager of the month material, Jimmy Mullen isn't.

You get the picture.

The Hatters have moved up to fifth in the table and are fast emerging as genuine play-off contenders. Their away form has been sensational, they've only lost once on their travels all season, and are a young, quick team who excel on the counter-attack.

Gannon mentioned this week his team have caught everyone by surprise, well perhaps after the festive period, people will take note.

I like the make-up of their team. I always look favourably on a side with two genuine wide men. But eight goals conceded in 10 games away says they have a steeliness about them. Added to that the recent goals of on-loan Craig Davies...and bingo!

Yes that's the same Craig Davies who had a spell with Verona in Italy. Not the fella who sings those crappy, dreary love songs.

Walsall started the season well but have taken a dip in terms of recent results. Boss Jimmy Mullen has admitted he is feeling the pressure after recent grumblings from the stands, and he could be next in line for managerial casualty number 10.

Mullen is short on numbers, and two games in three days over Xmas may just be stretching a side that are struggling for goals at the moment.

Recommendations: Lay Walsall @ [2.80]
Back scorelines 0-1, 0-2

Carlisle United [2.54] versus Huddersfield [2.62] the draw [3.40]

This is basically a shoot-out between the two new managers. Greg Abbott of Carlisle and Lee Clark of Huddersfield....I for one am liking the latter.

The Terriers had been improving just before Clark took the job, and with back-to-back victories under the former Newcastle midfielder, they've made it six wins from their last seven.

Slowly they've crept into play-off contention, and have been nibbled at in one or two markets.

Clark has the makings of a good manager, his influence along with former Toon coach Terry McDermott appears to be the reaping rewards at The Galpharm.

Although Huddersfield don't score too many away from home, they are a side that are really tight at the back. They've conceded a miserly three goals in their last five. Carlisle may have trouble breaking down the walls.

That's key for me here. The home side are struggling for goals, and against a tight defence we can base our thinking around this.

Recommendations: Lay Carlisle @ [2.54]
Back under 2.5 goals
Back correct scores 0-1, 0-2

Hereford United [3.00] versus Tranmere Rovers [2.54] the draw [3.4]

Since my last swipe at Hereford, they have since been usurped as the worst team in the division (step forward Crewe), and amazingly have won a couple of games.

Can they win a third? C'mon, let's not be silly.

Actually, the Bulls have been playing a bit better, and I was as surprised as anyone when they managed to land Lionel Ainsworth on loan from Watford as I like him as a player.

Steve Guinan, who is older than the HMV dog, is still ploughing away up front at Edgar Street, whilst it also seems that boss Graham Turner has sorted out the keeper situation.

Tranmere meanwhile owe much to their position of 8th in the table to their terrific home form - they are not quite as good on their travels.

Ronnie Moore's side are inconsistent, they also don't score many. And with suspensions to Ben Chorley and Ian Moore, may not find it easy here.

Moore described the fixture planning for Boxing Day as crazy. Moore also said that if striker Bas Savage scores a hat-trick from now until the end of the season, he'll dye his hair blue. That is crazy!

Ronnie, if Savage scores a hat-trick in his career I'll dye my hair whatever colour you want it to be.

Recommendations: Back the draw @ [3.4]
Back under 1.5 goals
Back correct score 0-0

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