Aaron Ashley: Football predictions & free betting accumulator tips
Red-hot Rovers can maintain their winning run
Free football tips, bets and analysis for this weekend's Premier League, EFL and European action.
Best bets
Arsenal
1pt 11-10 Betfair
Blackburn
2pts 20-21 BoyleSports
Rayo Vallecano
2pts 5-6 Hills
Best Premier League bet
Leeds v Arsenal
Sky Sports Premier League, 5.30pm Saturday
Arsenal moved up to fourth in the Premier League table with Wednesday’s 2-0 win over London rivals West Ham and they can strengthen their position by capitalising on Leeds’ injury woes.
The decision to strip Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the captaincy ahead of that match didn't seem to trouble the Gunners and although their performances at the Emirates have not always been replicated on their travels, Saturday's trip represents a gilt-edged opportunity for Mikel Arteta's men.
Arsenal have lost their last three away league games at Liverpool, Manchester United and Everton, but this looks the perfect time to be heading to Elland Road.
Leeds need to pick themselves up from a 7-0 humiliation at Manchester City and a depleted squad is not making life easy for them at present. Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo, Liam Cooper, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk all missed the trip to the Etihad, while Jamie Shackleton was forced off with injury in the opening half.
With Junior Firpo also now suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the season, Marcelo Bielsa faces a serious selection headache and the Whites are going to be nowhere near to full strength.
Leeds find themselves fifth from bottom with 16 points collected from 17 games and things may get worse before they get better.
Best EFL bet
Blackburn v Birmingham 3pm Saturday
Four straight victories have put Blackburn’s name firmly into the Championship promotion picture and Rovers should highlight their improvement with a five-star performance at home to Birmingham.
At the beginning of November, Tony Mowbray was trying to raise the spirits of his youthful squad after a 7-0 thumping at the hands of Fulham. But his words of wisdom appear to have had the desired effect because since that humiliating defeat Rovers have collected 16 points from a possible 18.
Mowbray’s men have recorded four wins to nil in succession, with last weekend’s 2-0 victory at second-placed Bournemouth moving them to within four points of the top two.
Rovers' purple patch has also included victories over Sheffield United and fellow playoff hopefuls Stoke, so with confidence high they should have little to fear from the Blues.
Birmingham threw away a two-goal lead to draw with ailing Cardiff last weekend and have not fared well on their travels either, winning only one of their last nine away league games.
The Blues have been held to a draw at Barnsley and failed to score in defeats on trips to Peterborough and Hull - all clubs currently in the bottom six in the Championship.
Rovers have won seven of their 11 league games at Ewood Park and, armed with 17-goal striker Ben Brereton Diaz, are strongly fancied to enhance that record.
Best European bet
Rayo Vallecano v Alaves LaLiga TV, 1pm Saturday
Rayo Vallecano have been one of La Liga’s surprise packages this season and they can consolidate their place in the top six with victory over Alaves.
Vallecano’s success has been built on some strong home form with no side in Spain’s top flight collecting more points in front of their own fans this term.
Andoni Iraola’s side have won seven and drawn one of their eight league games at the Estadio de Vallecas, scoring 17 goals and conceding only three times in the process.
Barcelona were one of their scalps and they have been ultra-reliable against La Liga's lesser lights, which bodes well against fourth-bottom Alaves.
The lowly visitors are without a win in four and their sole win from seven attempts on the road came at relegation-threatened Cadiz, who are two points worse off than Alaves.
Weekend accumulators
Banker
Blackburn
Rovers are the Championship's hottest property right now and can enhance their promotion ambitions with a fifth victory on the spin against Birmingham, who have won only one of their last six.
Blowout
Athletic Bilbao
Bilbao are without a win in eight games and look far too short at home to Real Betis, who are flying high in third in La Liga and have won their last four league fixtures.
Accumulator
Aston Villa 4-5, Blackburn 20-21, Nottingham Forest 20-21, Rayo Vallecano 4-5.
A £1 accumulator returns £12.32 with BoyleSports.
Both teams to score
Games at Morecambe 8-13, Forest Green 4-5, Rochdale 4-5.
A £1 treble returns £5.22 with bet365.
Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets
Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org
Today's top sports betting stories
Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport
Published on inThe Assist
Last updated
- Aaron Ashley: Football predictions & free betting accumulator tips
- Aaron Ashley: Football predictions & free betting accumulator tips
- Didi Hamann: Reinforced Newcastle can steer clear of Premier League relegation
- Didi Hamann: Reinforced Newcastle can steer clear of Premier League relegation
- The signs are good for Champions League group winners
- Aaron Ashley: Football predictions & free betting accumulator tips
- Aaron Ashley: Football predictions & free betting accumulator tips
- Didi Hamann: Reinforced Newcastle can steer clear of Premier League relegation
- Didi Hamann: Reinforced Newcastle can steer clear of Premier League relegation
- The signs are good for Champions League group winners