21st August: Saturday’s Football Acca – 17/1

With another stacked weekend of action from across the footballing globe, we have a host of noteworthy meetings to keep an eye out for throughout Saturday. On that note, for those of you looking to stick on a weekend acca, we have found a handful of helpful tips.

Saturday August 21st

BST 15:00 Stoke City vs Nottingham Forest

Starting with Saturday’s hosts, while Stoke might have been disappointed to have almost found themselves stuck in Championship limbo last season, The Potters have opened the new campaign in an eye-catching fashion. Looking to continue their rise under Head Coach Michael O’Neill, the former Premier League outfit have their sights set on mounting a play-off charge this time around. Last seen earlier in the week putting in another impressive display, the former Northern Ireland boss saw his side land a thumping 3-1 win away at last year’s play-off finalists Swansea. With the mood in their camp likely to be at a real high as they return to the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday, Stoke have collected seven points from their opening three Championship matchups. Also managing to extend on their EFL Cup run thanks to a 2-1 victory away at Fleetwood Town, O’Neil’s side should be confident of extending on their recent purple patch. On the flip side, while The Potters might have impressed since opening up the 2021/22 campaign, the same cannot be said for a struggling Nottingham Forest. Despite extending on their own EFL Cup run earlier in the month, this weekend’s guests are in the midst of a Championship blip. Suffering another defeat against Blackburn in midweek, Chris Hughton’s men have lost each of their opening three matchups by a 2-1 scoreline. Given the recent gulf in class between the two sides, we’re backing a home win here.

Tip: Stoke City win & over 1.5 goals @ 7/4

15:00 Doncaster Rovers vs Portsmouth 

While a sluggish end to the 2020/21 campaign might have seen Portsmouth eventually fail to book a play-off spot after falling at the final hurdle, The Blues have really found a boost over the summer. Making the decision to stick with Head Coach Danny Cowley, the South Coast outfit have opened this year tipped as one of the leading picks in the promotion hunt. While the former Lincoln City boss might have seen his side’s EFL Cup adventure come to an early end away at Championship side Millwall earlier in the month, Pompey are enjoying what has become a real League One romp. Managing to extend on their early season form in midweek as they claimed a 1-0 victory against Shrewsbury Town on home soil, Saturday’s hosts have collected maximum points from each of their opening three matchups. One of just two sides, along with Burton, who can boast a 100% start to the new campaign, Cowley’s side should be smelling a chance on their travels this weekend. On the flip side, while The Blues might have burst their way out of the traps, Doncaster find themselves battling it out at the opposite end of the table. Hit with what was a deserved 1-0 loss at the hands of Accrington Stanley on the road earlier in the week, The Rovers are yet to pick up a single point so far this season. Losing each of their opening three third-tier contests, Richie Wellens’ side should face another stern test at Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Tip: Portsmouth win & under four goals @ 13/8

19:45: Sligo Rovers vs Derry City

Shocking many across Ireland last week as they managed to pick up an impressive 1-0 win at home against former champions Dundalk, Derry City have really managed to breathe life back into their campaign. Despite being tipped as a leading pick in the relegation battle, they have found a much-needed boost after bringing in new boss Ruaidhrí Higgins earlier in the year. Climbing their way up the Premier Division standings and with some in their camp even dreaming of a late European charge, The Candystripes have continued on quite the purple patch. Extending on their FAI Cup victory against Drogheda United last month, Saturday’s hosts are now in the midst of a five-match winning run across all formats. More impressive, including that 1-0 win at Brandywell Stadium last time out, Derry have won each of their last three top-flight contests on the spin, keeping a clean sheet in each of those victories. Despite being touted as an outside shout this weekend, Higgins’ side should be smelling a real chance on the road. Last seen getting hit with a 1-0 defeat against Bohemians on the road, Sligo find themselves in the midst of a nightmare run of form. Despite still hanging onto their spot in the top-three, this weekend’s hosts are enduring a six-match losing run across all formats, a run that stems back to the start of July. It’s also worth highlighting, along with three straight home defeats, The Rovers have also lost four of their last five contests at the Showgrounds.

Tip: Derry City draw no bet @ 13/8

Our Saturday Accumulator:

Stoke City vs Nottingham Forest – Stoke City win & over 1.5 goals @ 7/4

Doncaster Rovers vs Portsmouth – Portsmouth win & under four goals @ 13/8

Sligo Rovers vs Derry City – Derry City draw no bet @ 13/8

Place a £10 bet on our accumulator with 888sport and pocket £189.49 if all predictions are correct.

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