Football Accumulator Tips: Saturday 8/1 FavFour backs Man United to win

Sheffield United vs Fulham – Fulham to Win

Sheffield United, struggling at the bottom of the Premier League, are set to face Fulham this Saturday at Craven Cottage. Fulham, fresh from a triumphant match against Tottenham, are looking to continue their winning streak. This game promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams aim to build on their recent positive results.

Despite gaining a point last game, Sheffield’s return to the Championship seems to be a foregone conclusion. They sit eight points adrift of safety and have just 14 points. 

They have lacked quality at both ends of the pitch this year and have the worst goal difference in the league (-74) as a result. 

Though they play on home soil this week, this won’t give them any confidence as they have conceded over five goals in four consecutive games at home recently. 

Fulham’s away form is not fantastic, with nine losses away from home, however, it should be noted that five of these losses were against current top five teams, so I am not concerned about that.

Marco Silva’s men are off the back of a very impressive 3-0 trouncing of Tottenham so will likely arrive with a lot of confidence. This marked their fourth win in six games.

The Cottager’s striker Muniz is in red hot form, scoring seven goals in his last eight games and will relish the opportunity to face this Sheffield defense that has leaked goals at home as of late.

Fulham are in good form; they are pushing for potential European places and though their away form is of some concern that has mainly been against sides far superior to today’s opponents. A leaky Sheffield defense has run into an in-form Muniz at the wrong time and will struggle to contain him. Fulham are far superior and should win.

Chelsea vs Burnley – Chelsea to Win

Chelsea, aiming for a European spot, are set to host Burnley, who are fighting relegation, in a Premier League match this Saturday. Chelsea is coming off a victory in the FA Cup, while Burnley recently secured a crucial win against Brentford. 

Despite securing three points against Brentford, I don’t think this is anything to get excited about from a Burnley perspective as it was against a struggling Brentford side with 10 men for most of the game.

Chelsea is in good form, winning five and drawing two of their last eight fixtures and are on the third longest scoring streak in the league as they have found the net in 11 consecutive games. The Blues have averaged 3 goals scored in their last four fixtures.

This free scoring Chelsea team face a Burnley side that average 2 goals conceded on the road this season. They are averaging 2.8 goals conceded in their last six league games.

To make matters worse Burnley are without and essential defender in Chelsea Lonee, Fofana, as he is not eligible to play against his parent club.

The Clarets have failed to score in three of their last five games.

Chelsea should have no problem continuing their scoring streak against Burnley and will most certainly capitalise on Fofana’s absence. Burnley wont be able to threaten Chelsea’s goal enough to outscore the Blues. Chelsea should win comfortably.

Aston Villa vs Wolves – Aston Villa to Win

Aston Villa, currently in the top four of the Premier League, are set to host Wolverhampton Wanderers in a West Midlands derby this Saturday. Aston Villa, despite recent losses, are hoping to secure a Champions League spot. Wolves, on the other hand, are looking to improve their standing after a disappointing FA Cup exit. Both teams will be eager to secure a win in this crucial match.

Villa Park was a fortress before the new year, they have since lost three of their four home games albeit against difficult opposition. They are still however the fourth best home side in the league. Wolves on the other hand are the 11th best away side in the league with a win percentage of just 29% on the road.

My greatest concern for this Wolves side is their current attacking injury crisis. Their key attackers Neto and Hwang are big losses and Cunha is also a doubt after a nasty hamstring injury. The player who has been filling in in the attack, Bellegarde, is also sidelined with a knee injury. 

This leaves scarce options for Gary O’Neil’s side who have not exactly been prolific scorers away from home this season, averaging 1.4 away goals.

I fear they will need more than one goal to beat a Villa side who thrive at Villa Park (averaging 2.5 goals a game at home) and I am struggling to see on paper where they will find that.

To make matters worse, starting centre back Craig Dawson is also a doubt for the game which will only make Watkins more confident he can add to his tally of 16 league goals this season.

Put simply, I can see several reasons why Aston Villa wont struggle to find the net at least twice in this game, while conversely Wolves look like they will find it hard going forward and I am unsure where they will find goals from. 

I think Villa will continue their Champions League push with a comfortable win against a side struggling with injuries and off the back of a demoralizing defeat to a Championship side in the FA Cup.

Brentford vs Man United – Man United to Win

Brentford, currently struggling in the Premier League, are set to host Manchester United at the Gtech Community Stadium this Saturday. Brentford, coming off a loss against Burnley, are looking to bounce back. Manchester United, on the other hand, are fresh from an exciting FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool. With Brentford’s recent defensive struggles and Manchester United’s strong form, this match promises to be an intriguing encounter for football fans.

This match has all the makings of a high scoring fixture. There have been over 2.5 goals in 11 of Brentford’s last 13 Premier league matches, and the Bees have conceded at least two goals in the same number of games. There has been an average of 3.4 goals in their last five.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils have had over 2.5 goals in nine of their last 11 games and an average of 3.4 goals in their last five games.

Brentford have scored in their last 15 games in all competitions, including games against Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham. 

With the attacking options of Toney, Wissa, Maupay, and Mbeumo, I am confident the Bees will find the net at some point; however, I think their issue lies at the other side of the pitch.

Their back line is missing four starting players in Mee, Pinnock, Hickey and Henry through injury, and to make matters worse, loanee Reguillon will miss the game with suspension.

They are averaging 2.5 goals conceded in the last 10 league games and average 2.1 conceded at home this season. 

Erik ten Hag’s side are averaging two goals scored in their last five fixtures and with striker Holjund returning to the side recently, they will have a full-strength attack. This will no doubt cause issues for Brentfords weak defence.

Meanwhile, Man United have conceded just 15 goals in 16 games (0.9 average) against bottom half of the table teams. 

While Thomas Frank’s side should score, I think it will be difficult to make up for conceded goals and United will prevail.