16th January: Saturday’s Football Accumulator – 7/1

With the congested fixture list rolling onto Saturday afternoon, we have another stacked weekend of action on the cards. So, for those of you who are 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 16th January 

BST 12:30 Middlesbrough vs Birmingham City

Starting with Saturday’s hosts, while Middlesbrough might have seen their FA Cup adventure come to an end away at Brentford last weekend, the Reds will be relishing a return to the North East. With it appearing that their loss against Sheffield Wednesday last month was just a minor blip, they have largely impressed many across the Championship this season. Really finding their feet after bringing in veteran boss Neil Warnock back in June, the Reds suddenly have a play-off charge at the top of their agenda. Last seen on second-tier duties when claiming a deserved 3-1 romp away at Wycombe, the former Cardiff boss knows that victory this weekend could see his side break into the top-six. In fact, now picking up 12 points from just their last five Championship contests, Boro have also gained a real reputation for their purple patch on home soil. Really finding a clinical edge in the final third, Saturday’s hosts have now won each of their last four straight matchups at the Riverside, winning those quartet of appearances by an aggregate score of 9-1. Also landing a thumping 4-1 victory when they last faced off against Birmingham in the Midlands last month, Boro should be looking forward to the reverse fixture this weekend. On the flip side, eventually hit with a 3-0 loss against Manchester City in the FA Cup last week, the Blues find themselves in the midst of a real crisis. Looking over their shoulder at the drop zone and failing to find their feet under former Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka, the guests have also managed to land just a single point from their last six Championship matchups.

Tip: Middlesbrough win & Middlesbrough to score over 1.5 goals @ 8/5

15:00 Northampton Town vs Oxford United

While Oxford might have made a string of changes on EFL Trophy duties in midweek, the Yellows put in another eye-catching display as they secured a 1-0 win against Cambridge. Turning their attention back to League One action on Saturday afternoon, Karl Robinson’s men find themselves enjoying a real purple patch of late. Undoubtedly enjoying by far their brightest spell of the season so far after a worrying start to the 2020/21 campaign, the former MK Dons boss now has a play-off charge at the top of his agenda. Managing to find a route into the top-half of the table and knowing they have a real chance to make up some ground this weekend, the U’s have won each of their last five straight matchups across all formats. In fact, unbeaten since November 28th, Oxford have also really impressed with their clinical displays in front of goal. Along with securing a thumping 5-1 win away at Burton in their first appearance of 2021 earlier in the month, the Yellows will also be boosted by their eye-catching last meeting against Saturday’s hosts. When they welcomed Northampton the Kassam Stadium on December 15th, Robinson’s side landed a 4-0 victory and they will be looking to lay down a similar marker on Saturday afternoon. On the flip side, while Oxford might have extended their EFL Trophy adventure in midweek, it was another night to forget for Northampton. Hit with a 2-0 defeat against MK Dons on home soil earlier in the week, this weekend’s hosts have won just one of their last six matchups across all formats. Looking over their shoulder at the drop zone, the Midlands outfit should face another stern test on Saturday.

Tip: Oxford United to score over 1.5 goals @ 10/11

15:00 Grimsby Town vs Southend United

Starting with Saturday’s guests, while Southend might still find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap, there is no doubt that the Blues have breathed new life into their safety charge. Certainly managing to turn a real corner and rightfully gaining a string of plaudits from across League Two when entering the New Year, the Essex outfit should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Cutting their deficit at the foot of the table and knowing that victory this weekend could see them skyrocket their way out of the bottom-two, new boss Mark Molesley has done quite the job at Roots Hall. Last seen putting in what was a professional display on home soil, Southend landed a 1-0 win against Barrow, a fixture that was billed as a real relegation six-pointer. With it appearing that their 2-0 loss against Leyton Orient earlier in the month was just a minor blip, the Blues should also be boosted by their rampant previous meeting against Saturday’s hosts. Along with shocking many and landing a shock 2-0 win against bitter rivals Colchester, it should be noted that the Shrimpers picked up a thumping 3-1 win when they faced off against Grimsby last month. Now losing just one of their last seven matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to the end of November, Southend should see their trip to Blundell Park as a golden chance. While the Blues might be a team on the rise, Grimsby are a side really in freefall. Dropping back into the relegation zone and holding just a one-point buffer over Molesley’s men, the Lincolnshire outfit were last seen getting hit with a 3-0 drumming against Port Vale. Losing four of their last five outings and with just a single win to their name since November 24th, Southend appears at great odds this weekend.

Tip: Southend United double chance @ 8/11

Our Saturday Accumulator:

Middlesbrough vs Birmingham City – Middlesbrough win & Middlesbrough to score over 1.5 goals @ 8/5

Northampton Town vs Oxford United – Oxford United to score over 1.5 goals @ 10/11

Grimsby Town vs Southend United – Southend United double chance @ 8/11

Place a £10 bet on our accumulator with 888sport and pocket £85.73 if all predictions are correct.

You can also visit our betting promotions section for the latest enhanced odds promos, accumulator bonuses and more.