Christmas Football: The five best football bets over the festive period

QPR have a great home record this season

While the rest of Europe closes for a winter break, English football is about to descend into the frenzied chaos of its annual "hectic Christmas schedule". While it can often be a headache for managers, for fans around the country the festive period just wouldn't be the same without it. Evan Bartlett has trawled through the fixtures and picked out his five best bets from around the leagues...

Brentford  v Fulham
Boxing Day, 13:00

Along with table-topping Bournemouth, Brentford have been the real surprise package of the Championship this season. Sitting in third place, the Bees have now won an impressive seven of their last eight games.

Opponents Ipswich have also had a fantastic start to the season and sit one place above Brentford after an unbeaten run of nine games. With both teams in such impressive form the result in this one is tough to call. 

Instead, with Griffin Park having witnessed 32 goals in the 11 games there this season (2.91 per game) and all nine of Brentford's previous games having witnessed over 2.5 goals, odds of 1.9210/11 on that happening in this one is a good option.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.9210/11

Everton v Stoke City
Boxing Day, 15:00

After a bright start for Roberto Martinez last season, Everton have suffered from inconsistency this year and sit down in 11th. Similarly, while Stoke have managed to beat the likes of Manchester City on the road and Arsenal at home, they've lost more games than they've won and sit two places below the Toffees. 

This game is therefore too unpredictable to choose a result with any certainty. However, what really catches my eye is the odds on over 2.5 goals. There have been 30 goals at Goodison Park this season in just eight games (3.75 per game) and even taking the anomalous 6-3 defeat to Chelsea out of the equation there have still been 23 goals in seven (comfortably over 3 per game).

While Stoke are just a notch under 2.5 goals per game in their fixtures so far this season, odds of 2.186/5 on there being over 2.5 goals in this game seem far too good to miss.

Recommended Bet
Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.186/5 (NB)

Chesterfield v Peterborough
Boxing Day, 15:00

Newly-promoted Chesterfield lost just two games at home last season as they won League Two. While their form has not been quite as impressive in League One this year, the Proact Stadium is still not an easy place to visit, particularly with the league's top scorer, Eoin Doyle (16 goals in 20 apps), in the side. 

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson admitted earlier this month that he is under pressure after a poor run of form. With the Posh having won just one of their last eight in the league and the Spireites buoyed after their 3-2 win against Gillingham on Saturday, get on Chesterfield to win this one at odds of 2.588/5.  

Recommended Bet
Back Chesterfield to win @ 2.588/5

Tottenham v Man Utd
Sun 28th Dec, 12:00

After another slow start this season, people have now started talking about Manchester United as title contenders again. A recent run of five games in a row has seen them climb up to third in the table and they looked destined for Champions League football again next season. Their one real area of weakness is in defence where you feel they are susceptible to conceding almost two goals in every game. 

Similarly, after a relatively slow start under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs have started to gather momentum and now sit in 7th, just four points short of the top four, winning 10 of their last 15 games. 

In the last two seasons Spurs are unbeaten against United and following United's underwhelming display against Aston Villa, there's no reason this run shouldn't continue. Odds of 2.35/4 on a United team who have won just twice on the road this year seem to short against in form Spurs and therefore are a good option to lay.

Recommended Bet
Lay Man Utd to win @ 2.35/4

QPR v Crystal Palace
Sun 28th Dec, 15:00

After what looked like an ominous start, Crystal Palace have recovered well under Neil Warnock, but their away form will be a real concern to the manager. The Eagles have won just one game away from home this season and have picked up just three points from the last 18 available on the road.

Meanwhile QPR suffer an even worse away record - the worst in the league in fact - having picked up no points from their eight games. However, where Harry Redknapp's men really prosper is at Loftus Road where they've picked up 17 points from a possible 27 - better than the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool. 

With a tough away fixture to the Emirates on Boxing Day, Redknapp may just choose to rest one or two players and sacrifice that game in the hope of winning the one two days later against Palace. With their strong home record and striker Charlie Austin in great form, a QPR win at odds of 2.47/5 is a good option.

Recommended Bet
Back QPR to win @ 2.47/5 (NAP)

You can follow Evan on Twitter @ev_bartlett