Preston can take advantage of Barnsley's bad run

Barnsley v Barnsley fans were given an early Christmas present when a cash-rich consortium completed a takeover of the club last week but they have been starved of points in recent weeks and the team's winless run is set to extend to nine games with a defeat to Preston at Oakwell.

The Tykes have taken just two points from their last eight matches and are facing a Sky Bet Championship relegation battle unless the new investment can help them secure some better players in January.

They haven't scored a goal in their last three home matches and the defence is suffering from the absence of centre-back Angus MacDonald, who has been sidelined for the last four weeks.

Barnsley's problems are good news for Preston, who need a fruitful festive period to advance their playoff push.

North End were frustrated to draw 1-1 at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday although manager Alex Neil said he was pleased with the performance.

His team are unbeaten in their last seven matches and look value to make it eight with a victory in Yorkshire.

Recommendation
Preston
2pts 13-10 bet365, Betfred

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Hull v Ten wins in 13 games have lifted Derby from 15th to third in the Championship and the Rams' remarkable rise can continue with a victory over sixth-bottom Hull at the KCom Stadium.

Automatic promotion looks a big possibility for Derby, who are only three points behind second-placed Cardiff.

They have a solid defence and two quality strikers in David Nugent and Matej Vydra who are playing with bags of confidence.

Vydra is the league's second top scorer with 14 goals and was on target in Saturday's 3-0 victory at home to Millwall.

But the star of that match was Nugent, who supplied brilliant finishes for the first and third goals.

Derby are just as dangerous on their travels and head to Hull looking for a fifth win in six away games.

Hull have played better football since Nigel Adkins replaced Leonid Slutsky as manager this month.

But they still have the losing habit, going down to 1-0 defeats at Cardiff and Leeds in their last two matches, and may struggle to prevent Derby from registering a fifth straight victory.

Recommendation
Derby draw no bet
2pts 10-11 Hills

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Millwall v Millwall have taken some big scalps at the Den this season and have a decent chance of earning a point or three against Sky Bet Championship leaders Wolves, who are aiming to build on a seven-point lead at the top of the table.

Wolves have racked up 54 points at the halfway point in the season and are on course to set a new Championship record, surpassing the 106 points Reading amassed in the 2005-06 campaign.

However, their performances have dipped in recent weeks and it might be a good time to oppose them.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side have scored just three goals in their last four games and might not be fully prepared for the physical test and noisy atmosphere which awaits them in south London.

All of Millwall's six league wins this season have come at home and three of those were against teams in the top nine.

Facing Wolves is the ultimate test but a tight game is in store and Millwall look value to avoid defeat.

Recommendation
Millwall or draw double chance
1pt Evs bet365

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MK Dons v MK Dons had planned a promotion push in Sky Bet League One this season but they are 19th and could be dragged deeper into trouble by a failure to defeat Plymouth.

Offensively, the Dons look better equipped now that key striker Osman Sow is free from injury.

But they are having a tough time at the back with no clean sheets in their last eight games and look poor-value odds-on shots to defeat improving Argyle, who are only two points below them.

Plymouth have lost just two of their last 11 league matches and can add at least another point to their tally.

Recommendation
Plymouth or draw double chance
1pt 21-20 bet365

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