With the European qualifiers taking centre stage this weekend, we are treated to a string of eye-catching affairs from across the footballing globe. So, for those of you who are looking to stick on a Saturday acca, we have found a trio of interesting fixtures that can offer a lucrative return for your weekend acca.
Saturday June 17th
BST 19:45 Belgium vs Austria
Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny out in Qatar over the winter as they failed to punch a knockout stage ticket, Belgium are getting a new era underway with Domenico Tedesco at the helm. However, while many might feel that the former Schalke boss has a job on his hands with the Red Devils’ raging squad, Saturday’s hosts did claim a welcomed boost during March’s international break. Opening their qualifying adventure with a thumping 3-0 victory away in Sweden, the European giants have collected back-to-back wins for the first time since September 2021. Last seen putting in an action-packed performance as they clinched a 3-2 win away at Germany in a friendly showdown, Tedesco’s hold a fearsome reputation for their qualifying success on home soil. In fact, on a run that stems all the way back to September 2010, Belgium are unbeaten in each of their previous 14 qualifying appearances in front of their own supporters. However, although Saturday’s hosts might have claimed a recent boost in 2023, a high-flying Austria will certainly prove a tough test here. Although Das Team might have been unable to clinch their World Cup ticket over the winter, Ralf Rangnick’s men are enjoying an extended flurry. Opening their Group F campaign with a 4-1 romp against Azerbaijan on March 24th, the one-time Manchester United boss has seen his squad win each of their last four straight appearances across all competitions. In a showdown that could prove to be a lively affair, we are backing both teams to find the net.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 19/20
19:45 Portugal vs Bosnia Herzegovina
While Portugal might have come under a huge amount of scrutiny following their World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Morocco over the winter, the former European champions have come roaring back in some style. Clearly enjoying the early tenure of Roberto Martínez s tenure in charge, Saturday’s hosts have clinched back-to-back qualifying victories and they are the only nation in Group J who can boast a 100% record. Along with opening their qualifying adventure with a thumping 4-0 romp at home against Liechtenstein, the former Belgium boss has seen his superstar squad gain a reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third. Last seen on March 26th when breezing to a 6-0 victory away at Luxembourg, Portugal have notched 10 strikes in their back-to-back Group J wins. Showing no signs of a hangover following their World Cup heartbreak in the Middle East, Martinez’s side should be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Watching Bosnia make an immediate return to losing ways last time out as they slumped to a toothless 2-0 loss away at Slovakia, Saturday’s guests have largely failed to build on their eye-catching 2022 flurry. Along with opening the New Year with a 4-1 drumming against Slovakia, Faruk Hadzibegic s men have also shown some extended issues on foreign soil. In fact, the Dragons have mustered just a single win on their travels from any of their last 13 attempts a run that stems all the way back to November 2019.
Tip: Portugal to score in both halves @ 19/20
20:00 Levante vs Alaves
Putting in a gritty first-leg performance away in Alava last weekend as they snatched a 0-0 stalemate, Levante will feel like they are sat in pole position to book an immediate La Liga return on Saturday night. Enjoying what has been a hugely impressive run of form since opening their qualifying adventure, it should be noted that Javier Calleja s men have lost just one of their previous nine meetings against Segunda opposition a run that stems all the way back to April 17th. Punching their play-off final ticket as they clinched a second-leg 3-0 romp against Albacete on home soil, a huge part of Levante’s success this season has been thanks to their continued displays at the Ciutat de Valencia. Signing off the 2022/23 campaign with a 2-1 victory against Real Oviedo, Saturday’s hosts have remarkably tasted just a single Segunda loss in front of their own supporters since the start of October. Missing out on the chance to claim a crucial first-leg advantage as they had to settle for that 0-0 draw at the Mendizorrotza last weekend, Alaves have struggled to find much stability over the past couple of months. Despite cruising their way to a play-off spot this season, Luis Garcia Plaza’s side have recorded just two wins from their last eight battles against second-tier opposition. Suffering a 2-0 defeat when they travelled to Valencia for their last Segunda showdown on April 29th, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Tip: Levante win Under 4.5 goals @ 13/10
Our Saturday Accumulator:
Belgium vs Austria Both teams to score @ 19/20
Portugal vs Bosnia Herzegovina Portugal to score in both halves @ 19/20
Levante vs Alaves Levante win Under 4.5 goals @ 13/10
Place a £10 bet on our accumulator with and pocket £87.46 if all predictions are correct.
