talkSPORT betting tips – Best football bets and expert advice for Saturday 4 January

The first Saturday of 2025 brings with it a bumper schedule in the English football pyramid, as well as top-tier action in France, Italy and Portugal.

Our tips focus on three matches from the Football League, including League Two leaders Walsall as they look to maintain their impressive lead at the top.

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Bet of the day

Walsall to win to nil vs Cheltenham Town @ 11/5

Walsall are flying in League Two, with Mat Sadler’s men currently 12 points clear of second-placed Doncaster with a game in hand, and the leaders should have few issues defeating a Cheltenham side who have won just one of their last four matches.

The Saddlers boast the strongest away record in League Two, having recorded seven wins from their 12 matches on the road, and are seeking their fifth successive away victory at Whaddon Road.

Cheltenham have been fairly solid at home this term - the 21 points accrued in front of their own fans ranks eighth in the league - but they have struggled to keep their visitors to the Cotswolds at bay, with only Harrogate (20), Grimsby and Morecambe (both 21) conceding more home goals than Cheltenham's tally of 18.

A leaky rearguard isn't ideal when taking on the runaway league leaders and Walsall, who have conceded just six goals away from home, could run away with proceedings.

Special of the day 

Under 1.5 goals in Lincoln City vs Stevenage @ 31/20

Stevenage are the lowest scorers in League One with just 18 goals scored in their 22 outings.

However, they've conceded only 20 goals themselves and everything points to a low-scoring affair when they visit Lincoln on Saturday.

Boro’s last four away matches have finished 0-0, 0-0, 2-0 and 1-0 and there have been just 11 goals in their nine League One games on the road, the fewest in the third tier.

Host Lincoln, meanwhile, have lost their last three - losing to nil against Shrewsbury, Bolton and Rotherham - and their wastefulness in front of goal seems unlikely to change at Sincil Bank.

Long shot of the day 

Draw and Under 2.5 goals in Blackburn Rovers vs Burnley @ 13/5

Burnley were unable to capitalise on slip-ups from promotion rivals Leeds and Sheffield United on New Year's Day as they were held to a goalless draw by Stoke at Turf Moor. 

The Clarets have drawn their last two matches in the Championship and have failed to find the back of the net in either.

Their attack will be further hampered by Hannibal Mejbri’s suspension when they take on fierce rivals Blackburn this weekend and there is every chance that Burnley may have to settle for another stalemate.

Blackburn are without a win in four but both of their two draws in that run have come against Premier League hopefuls Sunderland (2-2) and Leeds (1-1) and they could show all their doggedness against another top-two aspirant.

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Odds correct at time of publish and subject to change*

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