December 22nd: Friday’s Football Accumulator – 6/1

Now at the centre of a stacked winter schedule, Friday offers a host of intriguing affairs from across England’s top tiers.

On a Friday fixture list that is highlighted by Aston Villa’s showdown against Sheffield United, we have found a trio of helpful tips that are worth keeping an eye out for.

Friday, December 22nd

BST 19:45 Cambridge United vs Exeter

While Cambridge might have opened December in the midst of a minor rut, Friday’s hosts have come roaring back in any eye-catching fashion. Last seen mounting a stellar comeback at home against Blackpool as they clinched a 2-1 victory, Neil Harris’ men are unbeaten in all of their previous three appearances across all competitions. Skyrocketing away from a looming relegation scrap and now desperate to make up some ground in the top-half chase, the former Millwall boss will be calling on his squad to make another League One statement here. Tipped as a standout contender this weekend, Cambridge should be excited by their continued success on home soil. Including a 4-0 romp against Fleetwood earlier in the month, Harris’ side have won five of their previous six showdowns at the Abbey Stadium – a run that stems all the way back to a 0-0 stalemate against Portsmouth on October 24th. On the flip side, while Exeter might have managed to snatch a 1-1 draw off of Stevenage last weekend, Friday’s guests find themselves at the heart of a major League One struggle. Holding just a three-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone and continuing to show a string of issues, the Devon-based outfit have recorded only one win from any of their previous 15 straight appearances across all formats. Hit with a 2-1 loss when they last travelled to the Abbey Stadium 16 months ago, we are expecting a similar home win here.

Tip: Cambridge United win @ 5/4

19:45 Colchester vs Salford

Although Salford might have opened up the 2023/24 campaign with their sights set on finally punching a League Two play-off ticket, Friday’s guests find themselves at the heart of a real fourth-tier struggle. Battling it out in the bottom-half of the table and already seven points adrift of breaking into the top-12, Neil Wood’s men are certainly seeking a crucial boost here. Without a win from any of their previous seven straight appearances across all competitions, Salford should at least take some solace from their rugged performances on the road. Last seen on their travels snatching a gritty 0-0 stalemate against leading promotion contenders Stockport, Wood’s side have lost suffered just a single defeat from their previous five contests away from Moor Lane. With that run highlighted by a 3-0 romp against Doncaster back on October 24th, the Ammies will be looking to cash in on a Colchester squad who are enduring their own extended crisis. Last seen slumping to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Wrexham, the Essex-based outfit are in the midst of a five-match losing run across all competitions. With that nightmare blip underlined by a shock 4-1 drumming at home against Barrow on November 25th, the U’s have also shown some rather glaring defensive issues. Shipping 15 strikes on their five-match winless run and also losing all of their last three home fixtures by an aggregate score of 10-2, we are predicting an away double chance this weekend.

Tip: Salford double chance @ 4/6

20:00 Aston Villa vs Sheffield United

Only continuing on a stunning Premier League romp this season, Aston Villa will be more than aware that another victory on Friday night would see them famously climb to the top of the table. In the midst of what has become a fairytale since they appointed Unai Emery last year, Friday’s hosts find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Last seen mounting a dramatic late comeback as they secured a 2-1 victory away at Brentford, the former Arsenal boss will be smelling a golden opportunity for his record-breaking squad. Mustering 38 points from their first 17 Premier League appearances and riding an iconic wave of momentum, Villa have also gained a fearsome reputation for their success on home soil. Including a 1-0 win against Arsenal on December 9th, Emery’s men have remarkably won all of their previous 15 straight Premier League showdowns in the Midlands. With England international Ollie Watkins firing on all cylinders and already nine top-flight strikes, they will be looking to cash in on a Sheffield United squad who are sat rock-bottom of the table. With returning boss Chris Wilder facing a major uphill battle at Bramall Lane, Friday’s guests have lost four of their last five Premier League outings. Rightfully tipped as a landslide relegation contender this season, the Blades should be bracing themselves for a monumental challenge here. Collecting just a single point on their travels since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, it is hard to see anything other than a routine home victory this weekend.

Tip: Aston Villa win to nil @ 21/20

Our Friday Accumulator:  

• Cambridge United vs Exeter – Cambridge United win @ 5/4
• Colchester vs Salford – Salford double chance @ 4/6
• Aston Villa vs Sheffield United – Aston Villa win to nil @ 21/20

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