Boxing Day 2018 Bets of the Day: Racing; Football; Cricket

See all the Sporting Life team's best tips for the day across a range of sports right here.

• Click on the tipsters' name to read a full preview and more tips
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RACING

David Ord

• Lightly Squeeze - 1220 Wincanton

There was a lot to like about Lightly Squeeze’s first run for Harry Fry at Exeter and he can strike in the opening Jockey Club Ownership Syndicate Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton.

He eventually fourth behind Peterborough but only after travelling like a well handicapped horse for much of the contest.

The switch to this track will suit and he looks ready to win at the second time of asking for his excellent new yard. He was well supported in the market ahead of his reappearance and is one to follow right now.

Oli Bell

• Jetstrem Jack - 1210 Market Rasen

Four-time winner for Gordon Elliott in Ireland and started out in a warm heat for his new team at Aintree last time. This represents a significant drop in class and there's every chance he'll outclass these.

Simon Holt

• Coneygree - 1505 Kempton

The 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner's career has been punctuated by long absences but, when his unfortunate fragility doesn't get the better of him, he remains a serious chaser.

It was only three runs ago, in April 2017, that Coneygree put up a superbly game effort behind Sizing John and Djakadam at Punchestown and, while he bombed out in two starts last season, he returned with a great deal of vigour at Cheltenham last month when showing much of his old zest and jumping tremendously well until weakening into third behind Rock The Kasbah.

Ben Linfoot

• Alysson Monterg - 1410 Wetherby

Up at Wetherby the ground is soft and Alysson Monterg needs cut in the ground to perform to his best. He can be forgiven his seventh in the Ladbrokes Trophy last time, as tough an assignment as you can get after seven months off the track.

This is easier and he should come on for that, while the handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds to 142, meaning he’s only 5lb higher than when winning easily at Perth in April.

With just five chase starts under his belt he remains an unexposed handicapper over this sort of distance and Christmas Eve odds of 14/1 certainly underestimate his chance.

FOOTBALL

George Pitts

• Paul Pogba to score and Manchester United to win against Huddersfield at 2/1

We know Paul Pogba has happy to see Jose Mourinho go, so it would be no surprise to see him get on the score sheet so soon after Mourinho’s departure. He was impressive against Cardiff, setting up two and trying his luck on three occasions, and he is a general price of 9/5 to score anytime. You can bump that up to 2/1 in a score-and-win double, which is worth a small play considering an upturn in form is expected.

• 20+ Newcastle booking points against Liverpool at 5/4

The Magpies average around two bookings per game nd once the first card comes out they tend to come in a flurry. With the hosts expected to dominate possession, frustrations could kick in and the foul count could be high against a tricky attack, so backing 20+ Newcastle booking points at above evens looks a good shout for the Anfield clash.

Tom Carduff

• Mateusz Klich to score anytime in Leeds v Blackburn at 29/10

Klich had three shots on target in Leeds' come back win against Aston Villa, almost scoring the winner himself, but Roofe actually did minutes later. Leeds will expect to be on the front foot once again in this one, giving Klich plenty of chances to continue adding to his tally.

• David McGoldrick to be shown a card in Sheffield United v Derby at 10/1

McGoldrick has committed the joint-most fouls in this Blades squad, and at a huge price of 10/1, the value is definitely there in backing him to be shown a card in a game like this. With him on 30 fouls committed is Oli Norwood, and it's also worth backing him at that 4/1 mark to join McGoldrick in the book.

CRICKET

Richard Mann

• Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers - David Willey Man of the Match at 12/1

The surface will add great assistance to the seamers and with that in mind, the quicks on both sides might well be licking their lips and David Willey looks worth small bet to claim the Man of the Match award at 12/1.

The England all-rounder has been a key figure at the Scorchers over the last few years, his ability to swing the new ball and pick up early wickets coupled with his dynamic batting making him the perfect overseas signing.