With the FA Cup taking center stage this weekend, we have a string of interesting affairs from across England on Saturday. So, for those of you looking to place a weekend flutter, we have taken a look at a few showdowns that are worth keeping an eye out for.
Saturday January 7th
BST 15:00 Blyth vs King s Lynn
While King s Lynn might have lost their fifth-tier status last season, Saturday s guests have their sights firmly set on securing an immediate National League return this year. Last seen opening 2023 with another rugged display as they clinched a 2-1 victory at home against Boston, Tommy Widdrington s men now hold a commanding eight-point buffer from slipping out of the play-off spots. Collecting nine points from their last four National League South matchups and smelling another golden chance this weekend, the Linnets have also lost just a pair of their previous 11 sixth-tier showdowns. With that run stemming all the way back to September 27th, the Norfolk-based outfit should also be excited by a rampant record against Saturday s opponents. Including a 2-0 victory when they last faced off against Blyth back on August 13th, King s Lynn have won each of their last three meetings by an aggregate score of 8-0. With the Spartans putting in another worrying display on New Year s Day, Graham Fenton s men find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap. Already sat six points adrift of safety, this weekend s hosts have lost each of their four matchups across all formats and have shown some glaring issues at the back. With that rut highlighted by a 5-0 drumming at the hands of York last month, it should be noted that Fenton s downbeat squad have shipped 11 strikes on their four-match losing run. Given the recent gulf in class, we re backing an away victory here.
Tip: King s Lynn win @ 4/5
17:30 Brentford vs West Ham
Opening the New Year with another famous display in west London, Brentford are enjoying what has been quite the purple patch. Eventually clinching a rampant 3-1 victory at home against Liverpool and gaining a string of plaudits, Thomas Frank s side should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Heading into the World Cup s winter break with a remarkable 2-1 win away at defending champions Manchester City on November 12th, the Bees are now unbeaten on Premier League duties since the end of October. Skyrocketing their way up the table and with a top-half finish within their grasp in 2023, Saturday s hosts will be looking to extend on their FA Cup adventure here. Claiming a deserved 2-0 victory when they made the trip to the London Stadium last week, Brentford also hold a stellar record against West Ham. In fact, winning all three of their previous meetings against the Hammers, Frank s side should be looking to once again cash in on their London rivals. While David Moyes men might have snatched a 2-2 draw away at Leeds earlier in the week, they now find themselves at the heart of a real bottom-three scrap. Remarkably claiming just a single point from any of their previous six Premier League appearances, there is a huge amount of pressure on the one-time Manchester United boss. Hit with that 2-0 loss when they welcomed Brentford across the capital on December 30th, a home draw no bet can be found at appealing odds here.
Tip: Brentford draw no bet @ 20/21
17:30 Luton Town vs Wigan
While Luton might have endured somewhat of a minor blip before heading into the World Cup break, the Hatters have certainly come roaring back. Opening the New Year by snatching a late 2-1 victory away at Huddersfield, Saturday s hosts have now won each of their last three Championship matchups. With that run underlined by another eye-catching 2-1 win against promotion contenders Norwich on Boxing Day, Rob Edwards men are also enjoying quite the free-scoring flurry. Along with signing off 2022 with a 3-0 romp away at QPR, the ex-Watford boss has seen his side muster seven strikes on their three-match winning run. Looking to extend on their FA Cup adventure this weekend, Luton have also continued to shine with their rugged performances on home soil. In fact, the Whites are unbeaten in each of their previous eight appearances at Kenilworth Road a run that stems all the way back to September 3rd. With their sights set on clinching another famous play-off spot this season, Edwards side should be relishing Wigan s arrival on Saturday evening. On what has become a remarkable nightmare for the Latics, Kolo Toure s side have now lost each of their last three consecutive Championship matchups by a 4-1 scoreline. Sat rock-bottom of the table and freefalling towards an immediate League One return, the ex-Arsenal defender has seen his side muster just a single win across any format since way back on October 11th.
Tip: Luton win @ 4/5
Our Saturday Accumulator:
Blyth vs King s Lynn King s Lynn win @ 4/5
Brentford vs West Ham Brentford draw no bet @ 20/21
Luton Town vs Wigan Luton Town win @ 4/5
Place a £10 bet on our accumulator with and pocket £63.26 if all predictions are correct.
