Aaron Ashley: Football predictions & free betting accumulator tips

Free football tips, bets and analysis for this weekend's Premier League, EFL and European action.

Best bets

Brighton draw no bet
1pt 11-10 Betfred

Salford
2pts 3-4 Coral, Ladbrokes

Nantes
1pt 23-20 general

Best Premier League bet

Leicester v Brighton
Sunday 2pm

Leicester were punished for a lapse in concentration as they conceded two goals in the final 80 seconds of stoppage-time at home to Tottenham on Wednesday and the depleted Foxes may be set for more misery at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

Although Spurs landed their knockout blows in the final moments to seal a dramatic 3-2 win, few can deny they deserved maximum points as they racked up 27 shots to Leicester’s 13 and had an expected goals (xG) figure of 4.5.

That was Leicester’s first Premier League fixture since a 1-0 home win over Liverpool on December 18 and it told late on, although their inconsistencies can be forgiven due to their long list of absentees.

Jamie Vardy, Jonny Evans, Timothy Castagne, Ryan Bertrand, and Ricardo Pereira remain injured, while Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and Nampalys Mendy are still away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

That should offer plenty of hope to Sunday's opponents Brighton, who have had an extra day to recover after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Amex.

The slick Seagulls fully deserved their point against Thomas Tuchel's Blues, who they also held to a draw at Stamford Bridge at the end of December.

Indeed, Graham Potter’s men have lost only one of their ten away league games this season, also avoiding defeat on trips to Liverpool and West Ham.

Only four teams have conceded more goals than the 36 Leicester have let in over 19 league games and Brighton, who are technically good and excellently organised under Potter, may be able to capitalise on those defensive deficiencies.

Best EFL bet

Salford v Colchester 3pm Saturday

Salford’s 1-0 win at Port Vale on Tuesday was the definition of a smash-and-grab raid, but the Ammies should find the challenge of Colchester considerably easier.

Gary Bowyer’s men scored with their only effort on target at Vale Park but defended resolutely to keep themselves within four points of the League Two playoff places.

While Salford have lost only two of their last ten league contests, Colchester are winless in seven and have suffered five straight defeats.

Tuesday’s 3-2 reverse at Sutton saw time called on Hayden Mullins's reign as manager and left the Essex club just one place and three points above of the relegation zone.

Former U’s defender Wayne Brown has been placed in temporary charge but their problems appear deep rooted and supporters have started to vent their frustrations with chairman Robbie Cowling.

Colchester have collected just two points from their last nine away league fixtures, failing to score in seven of those outings, and their lengthy trip to Greater Manchester may be a wasted journey, too.

Best European bet

Nantes v Lorient
Sunday 2pm

Lorient have failed to record a Ligue 1 victory since the end of September - a run of 14 matches - and may not get much sympathy from Nantes at the Beaujoire Stadium.

The Breton visitors are outside the relegation places on goal difference alone and, having suffered defeats in nine of their last 12 games, they must be fearing the worst ahead of their visit to Pays de la Loire.

Christophe Pelissier is refusing to abandon Lorient’s ambitious playing style and his stubbornness could be to his team's detriment again on the road. The visitors are yet to win in 11 attempts on their Ligue 1 travels and have lost their last six away league games.

Nantes, on the other hand, have lost only three of their ten home league games this season and those reverses came against Lyon, second-placed Nice and third-placed Marseille.

Weekend accumulators

Banker
Fulham
The Cottagers are back in control of the Championship title race after racking up 19 goals in three straight victories and can showcase their attacking talents at Stoke, who are winless in four home league games and have key injuries to contend with.

Blowout
Manchester United
The Red Devils had David de Gea to thank for their 3-1 win at Brentford on Wednesday and have plenty to prove at odds-on at home to a West Ham side who have already beaten Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham this season.

Accumulator
Fulham 19-20, MK Dons 2-5, Wigan 1-3, Salford 8-11. £1 accumulator returns £6.28 with Betfred.

Both teams to score
Games at Hoffenheim 2-5, Leeds 6-10, Empoli 1-2. £1 treble returns £3.36 with Hills.

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

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport