Boxing Day Championship 3pm Kick-Offs: Back Derby to maintain solid form

Hull 2.88 v Derby 2.66; The Draw 3.50

Derby are one of the division's most in-form teams having won six of their last seven to move up to third in the table, just three points behind an automatic promotion place.

What has been very impressive about the Rams' current form is their excellent defensive record; all six of those latest wins were achieved without conceding a single goal, and they've only conceded twice in their last eight matches.

Away from home Gary Rowett's men are unbeaten in seven, and they've taken 13 points from the last 15 available, including recording wins at the likes of Norwich, Leeds, and Middlesbrough, impressive form indeed.

Derby travel to Hull on Boxing Day and I'm slightly surprised that they're not a bit shorter in the Match Odds market given the form of the hosts.

The Tigers were seven games without a win prior to Nigel Adkins taking over, and although the new boss got a much needed win in his first game in charge - a 3-2 victory over Brentford - he has since seen his men lose back-to-back away games without scoring a goal.

And quite the opposite to Derby's defensive record, Hull haven't kept a clean sheet in front of their own fans since beating then hapless Bolton in August. They've conceded an alarming 13 goals in their last five home games, so I'd be shocked if the Rams don't get on the scoresheet on Tuesday, and with their excellent defence then that should result in taking all three points.

Recommended Bet
Back Derby to Win @ 2.66 (best bet)

Cardiff 2.32 v Fulham 3.50; The Draw 3.50

Cardiff are in such good form on home soil that they have to be backed when they host Fulham on Boxing Day.

True, the Cottagers have improved of late, winning four of their last six league games, but that is also thanks to their form on home soil. Away from home Slavisa Jokanovic's men have lost four of their last five with their only victory coming in a freak nine-goal game against Sheffield United.

The Bluebirds have made the Cardiff City Stadium a bit of a fortress this term, remaining unbeaten there in the league, winning eight - including their last four on the spin - and drawing three of their 11 home games.

What's impressive about that terrific home form is that Neil Warnock's men haven't just been playing the whipping boys of the division so far in front of their home fans. They've actually hosted the likes of Aston Villa, Derby, Sheff United, Leeds, Brentford, Norwich, Hull, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday, all clubs who were expected to, or are, challenging in and around the top six.

Cardiff also have a decent record against Tuesday's visitors, losing just one of their last nine league clashes in the last four years, that coming away from home.

Recommended Bet
Back Cardiff to Win @ 2.32

Middlesbrough 1.54 v Bolton 7.60; The Draw 4.40

It would probably be a bit remiss of me not to mention Middlesbrough in this column given the Teesside club have just got rid of manager Garry Monk.

The bizarre aspect of the sacking was the timing. And I use the word bizarre lightly as there's no doubt in my mind that Monk had to go, but as I say, the timing was weird. Not least when it was reported that Monk had earlier in the week held talks with the board about his January targets.

So for Monk to be axed on Saturday night, 36 hours before Christmas, and just hours after recording a morale-boosting 2-1 win away to Sheffield Wednesday thanks to one of Boro's best performances of the season, was indeed quite surprising.

It also quickly emerged that Tony Pulis was a leading candidate to take over from Monk, so perhaps Steve Gibson acted before the former West Brom and Stoke boss was snapped up by another club.

Whatever the reasons behind the timing of the sacking there's no denying that Middlesbrough - pre-season title favourites remember - have been very disappointing this season. True, they are now just three points behind the play-off places, so hope is not all lost yet, and hosting Bolton on Tuesday afternoon gives them a great chance of picking up another three points.

The Trotters are second bottom in the table and they've conceded an alarming eight goals in their last two away games. I fancy Boro will be up for this in the same way some clubs get that 'new manager bounce', and I have to back the home side to win by at least two clear goals.

Recommended Bet
Back Middlesbrough -1 to Win @ 2.54