Football Preview: Five matches to consider for your weekend acca
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It’s that time of the week where we start eyeing up the fixtures for the weekend. There are huge matches in the Premier League, Football League, La Liga and more when it comes to building your weekend acca.
We’ve hand-picked five matches worth considering when it comes to whittling down those all-important selections, with some tasty contests lined up to help your betslip take shape.
Manchester United v Bournemouth
Right now, it seems Ole’s at the wheel and heading towards a Champions League spot. Bruno Fernandes has been the catalyst behind their upturn in form and could star once again against a struggling Bournemouth.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in their last six games and recorded comfortable 3-0 victories in their last two outings against Sheffield United and Brighton to find themselves on the brink of the top four.
Fernandes scored a brace in midweek to put Brighton to the sword and Bournemouth are next up having lost all three matches since the restart, the most recent a heavy 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.
United are resounding 2/11 favourites to win and 8/11 to win to nil to leave a sour taste in the mouth of the relegation threatened Cherries, who kick-off as 18/1 outsiders.
Wolves v Arsenal
How times have changed! Wolves are hot on the heels of United in the race for Champions League football, whereas Arsenal are languishing six points behind their opponents before kick-off.
Nuno Espirito Santo has established a feel-good factor at Molineux with his star players Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore forming a formidable attacking partnership which has seen them win their last three matches.
The Gunners have had their fair share of injury woes but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is back on the goal trail in the race for the Golden Boot after his double against rock-bottom Norwich.
This match finished 1-1 earlier in the season and they are 11/5 to cancel eachother out once again. Wolves start as 5/4 favourites and are unbeaten in their last three meetings against Mikel Arteta’s men. Arsenal are 9/4 odds with both teams to score 5/6.
Derby County v Nottingham Forest
We head to the Championship for an East Midlands Derby and can expect both teams to go hammer and tongs on Saturday lunchtime.
The Rams are one of the in-form sides and find themselves in play-off contention after five wins on the bounce, whereas Forest are also unbeaten post-lockdown – Which way will it go?
Derby are 7/5 to maintain their winning streak as they bid to close the gap on the top six with six games remaining.
Forest are 2/1 but they have won the last three times against Derby to nil. They are 19/5 to repeat that feat with a draw 21/10.
Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United
Anything could happen in this one! The Premier League has been in sight for Leeds for some time, but they’ve shown signs of fragility with only one win in their last three.
Blackburn can prove tricky customers on their day but back-to-back defeats to Wigan and Barnsley have somewhat derail their play-off hopes. Leeds will fancy their chances at Ewood Park.
The last four meetings between these sides have seen both teams score and over 2.5 goals in the process with no draws.
Leeds are 8/13 to secure all three points on the road with Blackburn a 19/4 shot. Both teams to score is evens with both teams to score & Leeds to win 14/5.
Villarreal v Barcelona
Can the Yellow Submarine sink Barcelona title hopes on Sunday night? Barca need a win if they are to have any chance of retaining their La Liga crown from the clutches of Real Madrid.
The Catalans have somewhat stalled in the title race drawing three of their last four. Meanwhile, Villarreal have been flying and will be buoyed by four wins in their last five with a Champions League place on the horizon.
A Barca victory is 3/4 against a Villarreal side who have shipped 40 goals in their 33 La Liga matches this season.
Javier Calleja’s side are 16/5 to spring a surprise and goals have often been on the menu when they play Barcelona. The last meeting at El Madrigal ended 4-4 with two stoppage time goals from Messi and Luis Suarez sparing Barca’s blushes. Over 3.5 goals this time round is 27/20.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
