James Milton: Football predictions & free betting accumulator tips

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

Best bets

Ollie Watkins to score first v Everton
1pt each-way 6-1 bet365

Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals in Bolton v Rotherham
3pts 6-5 bet365

Nice
2pts 17-10 bet365, Betfred, Hills

Best Premier League bet

Aston Villa v Everton
Sky Sports Premier League, 5.30pm Saturday

Not many forwards have been able to unsettle Chelsea's defence since Thomas Tuchel took charge in January but Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins managed it at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

The 3-0 scoreline flattered the European champions as Villa racked up 18 shots to the Blues' 12 and had six of the ten attempts on target in the game.

Bustling England striker Watkins was the outstanding threat for the visitors. He had six shots at Edouard Mendy's goal, looked remarkably sharp given that it was his first start of the season, and should kick on from that display when Villa host Everton on Saturday.

The summer arrival of Danny Ings will clearly change Villa's attacking dynamic but it shouldn't hamper the progressive Watkins, who scored 14 league goals and worked tirelessly during his first top-flight campaign in 2020-21.

He scored the opener against Everton in a 2-1 win at Goodison Park in May and looks a big price to repeat the feat against a Toffees defence who let in the first goal in wins over Southampton and Burnley and conceded twice in a draw at Leeds.

Best EFL bet

Bolton v Rotherham 3pm Saturday

It has been feast or famine for goals backers in Bolton's matches this season but Saturday's League One fixture at home to Rotherham should be a high-scoring encounter.

Bolton have played ten matches in all competitions, five of which have ended with no more than a single goal, including 0-0 draws with Barnsley and Wigan in the EFL Cup and a televised stalemate against Burton in the league.

Their other five games have all rewarded backers of over 2.5 goals and both teams to score and that run includes 3-3 league draws against MK Dons and Wimbledon and a 5-2 win at Ipswich last weekend.

Eoin Doyle, Oladapo Afolayan and Josh Sheehan have scored ten league goals between them this term but Rotherham also have an in-form striker in Michael Smith, who has struck four times in his last four appearances.

The Millers scored eight goals in league and EFL Trophy wins over Doncaster before a 4-2 defeat at home to Fleetwood and a 1-1 midweek draw at Lincoln, where they were frustrated not to take maximum points after winning the shots battle 26-9 in a dominant display.

Best European bet

Nice v Monaco BT Sport 3, midday Sunday

After masterminding Lille's shock Ligue 1 triumph last season, Christophe Galtier has made an outstanding start at new club Nice, who have taken ten points from four games this term.

Their record could have been even better as they were leading Marseille 1-0 when the match was abandoned due to crowd trouble but recent wins over Lille (4-0), Bordeaux (4-0) and Nantes (2-0) suggest they should see off Monaco on Sunday.

Nice are yet to concede a goal in Ligue 1 while Monaco haven't kept a clean sheet, losing three of their first five league matches after being knocked out of Champions League qualifying by Shakhtar Donetsk.

Weekend accumulators

Banker
QPR
The Hoops were unfortunate to lose 2-1 at Championship promotion contenders Bournemouth on Tuesday but they had taken 12 points from their first six matches and should be too strong for visitors Bristol City.

Blowout
Juventus
Juve lost 3-0 to Milan in their penultimate home game of 2020-21 and Massimiliano Allegri's tough start to his second spell in Turin could continue against the Rossoneri, who have won their first three Serie A matches.

Accumulator
Fulham 4-9, QPR 5-6, Atalanta 3-10, Marseille Evs. £1 accumulator returns £6.85 with Hills.

Both teams to score
Games at West Ham 8-13, Cheltenham 7-10, Lincoln 7-10. £1 treble returns £4.68 with Hills.

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