AFCON Dark Horses & Boxing Day Blues

Boxing Day Blues and Christmas Crackers

With less than a week to go until Christmas, the usual festive hustle is colliding head-on with football's packed calendar—and this year, the schedule has a few surprises. For the first time in two decades, some of your favorite commentators are getting Boxing Day off. That’s right, no Premier League wall-to-wall action on the 26th. Instead, fans will have to settle for an 8 p.m. kickoff between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford. Not exactly turkey and stuffing timing, is it?

While top-tier Premier League fixtures are limited this holiday, the EFL is stepping up to fill the void. There's a full slate of Football League matches on offer, so punters looking for action still have plenty to sink their teeth into. Just be cautious with travel-heavy away games—public transport on Boxing Day is about as reliable as a VAR decision in stoppage time.

Unwrapping the AFCON Betting Bonanza

As we inch into the new year, all eyes are turning to the African Cup of Nations, and the tournament is already shaping up to be a gift for value-hunting bettors. Hosted in Morocco, this year's AFCON is wide open, with Morocco themselves priced at 5/2 favorites. But don’t let short odds steal your focus—this tournament is a punter’s playground, with long shots offering juicy each-way options thanks to the format that allows four third-place teams to advance from the group stage.

Senegal remains a strong contender at 7/1, especially with Premier League talent like Kalidou Koulibaly and Ismaïla Sarr in their ranks. But some bettors are swerving Nigeria, who sit at 10/1. Despite boasting Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, managerial chaos and poor qualifying form suggest they’re not quite the Super Eagles of old.

Speaking of chaos, Cameroon is the ultimate fade. At 16/1, they're priced more on name than form, and with two different managers naming two separate 26-man squads, they’re the AFCON equivalent of a pub with no beer. It opens the door nicely for group betting opportunities, particularly backing Gabon or Burkina Faso to sneak through.

Dark Horses in the Shadows

If you're looking to sprinkle some festive magic on a long shot, this is your tournament. South Africa at 40/1 are defensively solid and topped Nigeria in World Cup qualifying. With Lyle Foster leading the line, they could grind their way deep into the knockout rounds.

Congo at 50/1 are another intriguing pick. They've got a solid Euro-based core and knocked out Cameroon in qualifying. Gabon at 80/1, powered by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, are in a soft group and could easily emerge as a third-place stunner.

Then there's Burkina Faso at a mouth-watering 100/1. These guys are tournament-tested, finishing runners-up in 2013 and third and fourth in the last two editions. With Bertrand Traoré and Dango Ouattara in the squad, they’re not just there to make up the numbers. They're there to cause a ruckus—and maybe even a payout.

Commentator Banter and Unintended Pub Names

Meanwhile, the lads behind the mics have been keeping the festive spirit alive with their commentary quirks and classic football catchphrases. "Different gravy" made a nostalgic return, baffling a 13-year-old who thought it was just about the Sunday roast. "Beaten all ends up" also got a shout, a phrase that works just as well in cricket as it does when a keeper gets absolutely nowhere near a bullet header.

And of course, the unintended pub names are flowing like mulled wine. From "The Galloping Gomez" to "The England International," these accidental pub monikers have become a highlight of commentary culture. It’s only a matter of time before someone opens a microbrewery named "Beaten All Ends Up."

AFCON Group Betting and Acca Opportunities

Fancy a cheeky group-stage accumulator? South Africa, Congo, Gabon, and Burkina Faso all offer value to qualify from their groups. With Cameroon looking like a no-show in spirit, if not in name, backing their group rivals to shine is a smart angle.

In terms of outright bets, splitting your stake across these long shots could pay off handsomely. All four have realistic paths to the knockout rounds and once you're there, anything can happen—especially in a tournament known for its chaos and unpredictability.

Takeaways for the Savvy Punter

• Boxing Day has fewer Premier League games, but the EFL is stacked—don’t sleep on those fixtures.
• AFCON offers brilliant value thanks to its generous group format. Look beyond the favorites.
• Senegal (7/1) and Burkina Faso (100/1) are the standout outrights for different reasons.
• Cameroon is a full fade—two managers, two squads, zero confidence.
• Group-stage accas involving South Africa, Congo, Gabon, and Burkina Faso could be the key to a festive windfall.
• And finally, always keep an ear out for commentary gold—"The Galloping Gomez" might just be your next local.