Not for the first time this week – or this month, even – our football accumulator betting tips were downed by one losing selection last week.
Port Vale’s home defeat against Swindon was the sole destroyer of our coupon; a result made all the more frustrating by the fact the Valiants won 3-0 on Tuesday night, suggesting we were right to back them given that they had form in the tank.
Otherwise, decent results for Middlesbrough, Morecambe, Barcelona and Freiburg took us to within a whisker of the 8.20/1 loot.
As for this weekend’s football acca tips we’ll be celebrating the start of December, which reminds us that Christmas is just around the corner. Let’s see if we can bank some tasty profit to reward loved ones – or ourselves – with a nice gift or two this festive period.
| Match | Recommended Bet | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| West Brom vs Brentford | West Brom Draw No Bet | 4/9 |
| Solihull Moors vs Blackpool | Blackpool Draw No Bet | 4/9 |
| Rennes vs Strasbourg | Rennes -0.25 Asian Handicap | 3/5 |
| Valladolid vs Leganes | Leganes/Draw Double Chance | 8/13 |
| Sport Recife vs Santos | Santos +2 Handicap | 4/9 |
| Five-Fold Acca Odds | 6.66/1 | |
West Brom vs Brentford: West Brom Draw No Bet
We had backed Brentford not to beat Middlesbrough last week in this very column, and after a 1-2 defeat there – and a 2-3 reverse in midweek at the hands of Sheffield United – things aren’t getting any better.
The truth is that the Bees are in freefall and have been since Dean Smith upped sticks for Aston Villa. They have lost six of their last seven, and boast just one win in 12 Championship outings.
West Brom appear to have overcome their own mini-slump now. Three defeats in four derailed the Baggies’ promotion push, but a 4-1 thumping of high-flyers Leeds and a battling 2-1 victory over Ipswich suggest all is well in the camp.
The return of Dwight Gayle from injury means that boss Darren Moore can call upon him, Jay Rodriguez, Hal Robson-Kanu and Harvey Barnes in attack; surely the division’s most fearsome unit.
Solihull Moors vs Blackpool: Blackpool Draw No Bet
It’s FA Cup second round week, and a chance for the minnows of English football to dish out giantkillings and humblings.
There will be plenty of the above, have no doubt, but we don’t see such a situation unfolding at Solihull Moors, where Blackpool are the visitors.
The Tangerines are going along nicely in League One, but the potential riches of a cup run are such that we don’t expect the cash-strapped outfit to take their foot off the gas against a team from two division below.
Solihull enjoyed a princely draw in the first round against non-league Hitchin Town, and this will be a serious test of their credentials against an upwardly-mobile Blackpool outfit.
The hosts’ last three home matches in the National League have ended 0-0….make of that what you will!
Rennes vs Strasbourg: Rennes -0.25 Asian Handicap
Our Expected Goals data suggests that Rennes are a better side than Strasbourg, particularly when examining the home/away splits, and so we’re more than happy to oblige here.
Decent data from the hosts has been reflected in some nice results of late: victory over Monaco and draws against top-half sides in Nantes, Saint-Etienne and Montpellier.
Strasbourg, meanwhile, are without a win in four and suffered a disappointing 0-1 defeat to Nimes last time out. They are also without the ever-present defender Stefan Mitrovic, who’s suspended, and first choice left back Lionel Carole for this one.
Why the -0.25 Asian handicap rather than the straight win? That’s because the handicap line keeps our acca alive – albeit with reduced returns – should the game end in a draw.
Valladolid vs Leganes: Leganes/Draw Double Chance
Here’s a stat that would make you reconsider renewing your season ticket at Valladolid: so far this term, in 11/13 La Liga outings they have scored one or fewer goals.
The hosts have failed to find the net in their last three as well, and so it would be a statistical anomaly if they were to come out all guns blazing here.
According To the Expected Goals data, Leganes are actually much better than their league position suggests, and a side in a run of form reading W3 D3 L2 doesn’t really have much to fear from a trip to Valladolid.
Within those eight matches mentioned, Leganes have beaten Barcelona and drawn with Atletico Madrid, so clearly they are capable.
Sport Recife vs Santos: Santos +2 Handicap
It’s the final week of the Brazilian Serie A campaign, and here’s a fun way to commemorate it.
Sport Recife, sat in 18th of 20 in the division, have scored one goal in their last five games and yet need to win here to avoid relegation.
They have been priced up as 8/13 favourites.
Santos, comfortable in mid-table, come into this game on the back of an excellent 3-2 win over Atletico Mineiro last time out. They have scored at least once in 11 of their last 13 outings.
They are a 7/1 underdog.
Use this information as you will, but for our pick we have backed them to win, draw or lose by a single goal: an outcome in 34 of their 37 league games this term.