The sweet taste of victory met our acca last week, with Liverpool, Southampton (+0.25 Asian handicap), Wolves, Derby and Bayern (-1 handicap) all getting the job done to land a near 8/1 payout.
That’s a handy bonus as the need to do some Christmas shopping kicks in, and let’s see if we can cop another winning coupon with this week’s football accumulator tips:
- Southampton vs Arsenal: Arsenal -0.25 Asian Handicap (8/13)
- Manchester United vs Manchester City: Man City Draw No Bet (4/7)
- Metz vs Rennes: Rennes Draw No Bet (4/7)
- SPAL vs Hellas Verona: Verona/Draw Double Chance (4/5)
- Luton Town vs Notts County: Luton to Win (8/11)
- Acca Odds: 11.47/1
Southampton vs Arsenal: Arsenal -0.25 Asian Handicap
Football is a beautiful game but it’s also a damn cruel one at times too. Anybody who witnessed Arsenal’s 1-3 defeat to Manchester United last week can be in no doubt that the Gunners were the better side, as evidenced by the stats: 16 shots on target to 4, and 12 corners to 1. We’re not convinced that the possession stat counts for much when all is said and done, but Arsenal’s occupation of the ball for 75% of the match cannot be overlooked.
We mention that because there seems to have been a major reaction on the part of the bookmakers to that loss; punters can lap up Evens, in places, on an Arsenal win here. That is great value seeing as though the Gunners played United off the park, but we’re going to consolidate slightly with this Asian handicap offering.
Southampton did the business for our acca last week, but their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth was hardly convincing. We’re not really sold on the Saints, and can see no reason why Arsenal won’t beat them on Sunday.
Manchester United vs Manchester City: Man City Draw No Bet
The bookmakers seem to have overreacted somewhat to David Silva’s injury, too. The Spaniard is a key component of this Manchester City side, absolutely, but this is a squad with plenty of depth these days and the likes of Aguero, Gabriel, Sterling, Sane and De Bruyne are good enough to win a game on their own.
We’re not entirely convinced Manchester United can boast the same. Paul Pogba is suspended of course, while another key cog in Nemanja Matic looks set to miss out with injury. Knowing Romelu Lukaku’s proclivity for ‘not turning up’ in big games, we can expect Jose Mourinho to have a passenger to carry – with the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic not around to lighten the load.
The brilliance of David de Gea earned the Red Devils three points at the Emirates last time out; it would be a huge ask for him to repeat that magic.
Metz vs Rennes: Rennes Draw No Bet
Poor old Metz. One win in sixteen attempts in Ligue 1 this season – and fourteen defeats – speaks volumes of their current mood, and their most recent run of W0 D1 L7 GF3 GA18 is rather instructive for punters.
Rennes are in high spirits, by contrast, with six wins in their last seven. Five of those were by a single goal, so we’re not getting too carried away, but you would expect them to claim all three points against their beleaguered hosts this weekend.
SPAL vs Hellas Verona: Verona/Draw Double Chance
Some curiously good value at the foot of Serie A here. SPAL have won just one of their last thirteen in the league, and yet the bookies are only implying that Verona are worth a 4/5 price of defying the odds.
The hosts cause will not be helped by the probable absence of defenders Filippo Costa, Bartosz Salamon and Felipe, who combined have contributed more than 30 appearances between them this term.
Verona have lost six of their last seven games, but before the alarm bells start ringing note that five of those six losses were by a single goal – including to sides like Inter Milan and Bologna. They seem to have found their groove of late in an attacking sense, netting in seven of their last nine, and it will be tough for SPAL to see them off here.
Luton Town vs Notts County: Luton to Win
If you don’t closely follow League Two here’s a quick oversight of Luton’s recent home form: W4 D0 L1 GF20 GA5.
Yes, you read that correctly, Luton have blitzed 20 goals in five games at Kenilworth Road….and that count doesn’t even include their 8-2 win on the opening day of the season!
Notts County have enjoyed a fine campaign but they are clearly more comfortable at home than away, taking 26 of their 41 points in front of their own supporters. The Magpies have kept just one clean sheet in nine too – a worrying sign ahead of a trip to the free-scoring Hatters.