James Milton: Football predictions & free betting accumulator tips

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

Best bets

Emile Smith Rowe first goalscorer v Watford
1pt each-way 15-2 Betfair, Paddy Power

Newport County draw no bet
2pts 13-10 BoyleSports

Levante
1pt 21-10 bet365, Hills

Best Premier League bet

Arsenal v Watford
Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 2pm Sunday

Not content with being nicknamed 'the Croydon De Bruyne', Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe is now drawing comparisons with Gunners legend Robert Pires and the 21-year-old can continue his excellent run of goalscoring form against Watford on Sunday.

Smith Rowe has found the net in three of his last five appearances at the Emirates Stadium, coming off the bench to score against AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup before a 12th-minute opener against Tottenham and a fine individual goal in the 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

His switch to the left flank has paid off handsomely and there were certainly echoes of Pires in last weekend's strike at Leicester, where he pounced on a loose ball just inside the penalty area and finished coolly.

Smith Rowe also notched the winner for England Under-21s against Andorra last month, finishing off a slick counter-attack, and he looks a decent each-way bet to open the scoring against Watford.

The Hornets have conceded eight goals in Claudio Ranieri's first three matches in charge, including a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool, and the Gunners, unbeaten in nine games in all competitions, are playing with real confidence.

Best FA Cup bet

Morecambe v Newport County 3pm Saturday

Morecambe edged past Newport County thanks to a controversial 107th-minute penalty converted by Carlos Mendes Gomes in last season's League Two playoff final but the Exiles are worth backing to avenge that defeat in the first round of the FA Cup.

Newport produced some terrific cup performances under former manager Michael Flynn, most recently losing on penalties to Premier League Brighton in last term's third round, and they have responded well to Flynn's departure on October 1.

County are unbeaten in six League Two matches since then, beating Bristol Rovers 3-1 and Stevenage 5-0 in their last two outings, and new boss James Rowberry says he will name a strong side at Morecambe.

The Shrimps, who lost promotion-winning manager Derek Adams to Bradford in the summer, made a solid start to their League One campaign but have taken only one point from their last six games, conceding 16 goals during that run.

Newport won both regular-season meetings with Morecambe last season and they are a tempting draw-no-bet selection in Lancashire.

Best European bet

Alaves v Levante LaLigaTV, 5.30pm Saturday

Levante's home fixture against Granada last weekend summed up their 2021-22 season as they had the same number of attempts on goal as their opponents – 12 – yet ended up losing 3-0.

Sloppy finishing and individual errors have contributed to a tally of just six points from Levante's first 12 La Liga matches but their performances suggest they could claim a first win of the season at Alaves.

Levante have drawn half of their league matches this term, including 3-3 against Real Madrid and 2-2 with champions Atletico Madrid, and they scored three times in an entertaining defeat at highflying Sevilla on October 24.

Hosts Alaves have also enjoyed their meetings with Spain's big guns, pinching a 1-0 home win over Atletico and drawing 1-1 at Barcelona last time out.

However, their only other points this season came in wins over lowly Elche and Cadiz and, having scored just six times in 11 matches, they look vulnerable favourites this weekend.

Weekend accumulators

Banker
Oxford
League One Oxford have won six of their last eight games in all competitions, scoring 20 goals during that run, and they should outgun FA Cup visitors Bristol Rovers, who have notched just 17 times in 15 League Two matches.

Blowout
Bournemouth
The Cherries' unbeaten start in the Championship ended on Wednesday and they look short enough against in-form Swansea, who have won four of their last five, including victories over top-four sides West Brom and Coventry.

Accumulator
MK Dons 2-5, Rotherham 2-5, Arsenal 2-5, Mallorca Evs. £1 accumulator returns £5.49 with Hills.

Both teams to score
Games at Crystal Palace Evs, Bradford 4-5, Juventus 4-6. £1 treble returns £6.01 with Betfred & Hills.

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