With the FA Cup making its return this weekend, we certainly have a stacked Saturday schedule from across Europe on our hands. On that note, for those of you looking to stick on a Saturday acca, we have searched far and wide to find you a handful of helpful tips that are worth keeping an eye out for.
Saturday 9th January
BST 15:00 St. Mirren vs Motherwell
Starting with the hosts, although St. Mirren would have been relieved to have snatched a last-gasp point away at Kilmarnock last weekend, the Buddies would have been disappointed to have not left with more to show for their troubles. While the Paisley outfit might find themselves on a run of form that has seen them win just one of their last four Premiership contests, Jim Goodwin s men have impressed many this season. With a top-half finish firmly at the top of their agenda this year, the White and Blacks will be glad to make a return to home soil on Saturday afternoon. While St. Mirren might have seen runaway leaders Rangers end their unbeaten run thanks to a 2-0 loss on December 30th, this weekend s hosts should still be boosted by a stunning League Cup performance against the Blues last month. Knocking Steven Gerrard s high-flyers out of the cup thanks to a dramatic 3-2 win in Paisley, the Buddies have lost just a single home fixture in any of their last eight appearances on the spin, a run that stems back to the end of September. On the flip side, after turning to Graham Alexander earlier in the week, the former Salford boss knows he has quite the rebuilding job on his hands. Last seen putting in another woeful display away at Hamilton last weekend, Motherwell were hit with a 3-0 drumming and they find themselves in the midst of a 10-match winless run across all competitions. With St. Mirren landing back-to-back victories against Motherwell, we re backing a similar home win on Saturday afternoon.
Tip: St. Mirren win @ 5/4
17:30 Arsenal vs Newcastle
While Arsenal might have broken a string of unwanted records when opening the 2020/21 campaign, some across the Premier League feel that the Gunners have started to turn a corner. Although Mikel Arteta s side might still be looking for a route into the top-half of the table, Pep Guardiola s former right-hand man has certainly eased the pressure on his shoulders. Putting in what quickly turned into a rampant display away at top-flight returners West Brom last weekend, Saturday s hosts secured a thumping 4-0 win at the Hawthorns. Still boosted by that 3-1 win against Chelsea on Boxing Day, Arsenal now find themselves enjoying a three-match winning run and the mood in their camp should be at a season-high. Making some rather drastic alterations over the past fortnight, Arteta could be calling on Alexandre Lacazette to lead their charge in North London. Bagging himself a brace against the Baggies last time out, the former Lyon striker has found the net in his last four appearances on the spin, recording five goals. Turning their attention to FA Cup duties this weekend, the Gunners should also be boosted by their hugely impressive record against Newcastle. Landing a 4-0 romp when they last faced off against the Magpies, Saturday s hosts have won each of their last four straight meetings against Steve Bruce s side. On the flip side, although Newcastle might have secured that hard-fought point against Liverpool when closing 2020, they do find themselves in the midst of a sluggish spell. Hit with a 2-1 loss against Leicester last weekend, the Magpies have failed to win any of their last six straight contests.
Tip: Arsenal win by 2+ goals @ 11/10
20:00 Osasuna vs Real Madrid
Starting with Saturday s guests, while Real Madrid might have been disappointed to have had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Eibar when drawing a close to their 2020 run, Los Blancos managed to make a routine return to winning ways last weekend. Eventually cruising their way to a 2-0 win against Celta Vigo in the capital, the Spanish giants have their sights firmly set on clinching back-to-back La Liga titles this season. Sat just two points adrift of leapfrogging their bitter crosstown rivals to top spot, Zinedine Zidane s men find themselves enjoying an eye-catching unbeaten run. Along with managing to book their spot in the knockout stage of this year s Champions League last month, the Whites are unbeaten in their last eight matchups across all formats, winning seven of those appearances. Appearing to have refound their clinical edge in front of goal, the former French icon will be smelling a real opportunity on Saturday night. Picking up a thumping 4-1 romp when the last faced off against this weekend s hosts, Madrid have won each of their last seven straight meetings against Osasuna, a run that stems back to 2013. On the flip side, while Los Rojillos might have cruised past lower-league Olot on Copa del Rey duties earlier in the week, they are in the midst of a real La Liga blip. Firmly at the heart of a relegation scrap, Osasuna have failed to win any of their last 10 top-flight matchups, a run that stems back to October 24th.
Tip: Real Madrid win Real Madrid to score over 1.5 goals @ 8/11
Our Saturday Accumulator:
St. Mirren vs Motherwell St. Mirren win @ 5/4
Arsenal vs Newcastle Arsenal win by 2+ goals @ 11/10
Osasuna vs Real Madrid Real Madrid win Real Madrid to score over 1.5 goals @ 8/11
Place a £10 bet on our accumulator with and pocket £81.61 if all predictions are correct.
