Saturday Football Cheat Sheet: Best bets for FA Cup, Bundesliga, Serie A and more

• Isak backed to strike for Magpies

• Ipswich to end Maidstone dream

• Tips for Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and more

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FA Cup 4th Round Tips and Predictions

12:45 - Ipswich v Maidstone United: Back the handicap as dream to end for non-leaguers

Lewis Jones: "Ipswich have made a habit of pummeling teams at Portman Road under McKenna with 23 of their last 26 home games seeing the tasty Tractor Boys score two or more goals. I'd be confident of this one going the same way.

"My angle in is to bank on Ipswich cutting loose by backing them on the +3 Asian Handicap line on the Exchange at anything bigger than 2.5 when the market becomes more liquid.

This means that if Ipswich win by four or more goals we get a full return and our stakes our returned if they win by three goals. If they lose, draw or win by two or fewer goals then it's a loser."

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15:00 - Everton v Luton: Back unders at Goodison

Stephen Tudor: "Just one loss in six across all comps for the Hatters is testament to how well they are starting to acclimatise to last May's seismic promotion, but we shouldn't forget either their two terrific performances that preceded this mini-run. Rob Edwards' side came so close to first unseating Arsenal, then Manchester City.

"The stand-out star across these games, and all season long, has been Alfie Doughty whose 1.9 key passes per 90 and five assists have proven invaluable to Luton's relative successes. The wing-back's 2.2 crosses per game have made them a real threat down the left.

"As for the Toffees, set-pieces are their biggest plus, scoring exactly a third of their league goals from corners while a perfectly executed free-kick from Andre Gomes last week saw them progress in the cup. That has been the only goal, for or against, in Everton's three fixtures so far in 2024."

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19:00 - Fulham v Newcastle: Isak appeals at 8/5

Eddie Howe: "Fulham appeared interesting 3.05 underdogs at first glance, but with the Cottagers eyes firmly on the EFL Cup prize in midweek, plus the quick turnaround, I'm put off from taking a potentially positive position on the home side. A well-rested Newcastle team chasing silverware have to be respected, though 2.38 available on the away side has little appeal.

"Curiously, Newcastle have lost their last seven FA Cup matches against Premier League opposition, all whilst occupying a top-flight position themselves. The Magpies have also own a poor road record in the league this term, only picking up top honours against rock-bottom Sheffield United and suffering five successive away day defeats in the EPL.

"With that in-mind, I'm eager to look beyond the main markets for a betting interest with the [8/5] on Alexander Isak in the Anytime Goalscorer market catching the eye. The Swedish international has 14 goals in 21 starts for club and country in 2023/24, getting on the scoresheet in each of his last four appearances, as well as six of his past nine starts."

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EFL Tips and Predictions

15:00 L1 - Bristol Rovers v Oxford: Back Tangerines in 11/1 acca

Alan Dudman: "Oxford United could do a league double over Bristol Rovers for the second time in the last four seasons (also 2020-21), having not previously done so since the 1992-93 campaign beforehand, and that's a bet I like at the Mem.

"The U's won a bad-tempered game earlier in the season 2-1 with a couple of red cards, but they did score early and this will be an easier test than their latest 1-0 defeat at home to Barnsley.

"Oxford have won eight on the road this term and their xG away is on a par with their home one at around 1.37.

"KEY OPTA STAT: Only Derby County (9) have won more away matches in League One this season than Oxford United (8), with Oxford's eight wins this term already three more than they managed on the road last season."

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European Football Tips & Predictions

14:30 Bundesliga - Augsburg v Bayern Munich: Back hosts with handicap

Kevin Hatchard: "After a punishing week, a trip to face an intense and in-form Augsburg isn't what the Bavarian giants need or want. FCA have been re-energised under Danish coach Jess Thorup, and they are currently ten points clear of the relegation zone. Augsburg only lost 1-0 at home to Leverkusen courtesy of a stoppage-time goal, and that's their only home defeat in the last five at the WWK Arena.

"We can give Augsburg a +1.5 cushion on the Asian Handicap at 2.16, and that appeals. Only three of Bayern's last 15 away games in the Bundesliga have resulted in wins by a multiple-goal margin, and Bayern have lost on their last two league visits to Augsburg."

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15:15 La Liga - Las Palmas v Real Madrid: Back a surprise

Jamie Kemp: "Las Palmas are Spain's best team in the art of defending with the ball, and their control of events has ensured that conceding largely 1s and 0s all season has put them in position to pick up points regularly. In fact, since September 24^th, only three teams have won more points than Las Palmas (29) in La Liga.

"If there was ever a good time to play Real Madrid, doing so when Jude Bellingham is suspended would probably be one. Even though Brahim Diaz has done a fine job filling in this season, there is quite literally no substitute for the Englishman and all he brings to the team."

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17:00 - Serie A Tips: Back Vlahovic to strike as Juve win

Dan Fitch: "Juve are a point clear of Inter, who hold a game in hand and will not be in action until Sunday. With their rivals facing a much tougher fixture this weekend, this is a real opportunity for Juventus to create an advantage. Everything points to them doing so, with the Old Lady unbeaten in 18 games across all competitions (W15 D3).

"Empoli beat Monza last week to end a run of eight games without a win (D3 L5), but we have to assume that normal service will resume. Dusan Vlahovic has scored five goals in his last three league games and you can combine him finding the net, with a Juventus win and under 4.5 goals, at odds of 6/4."

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19:45 - Milan v Bologna: Back AC in 5/1 four-fold

Andy Robson: "The Saturday evening kick-off in Serie A sees AC Milan welcome high-flying Bologna to the San Siro. Following an inconsistent patch of form that led to some calls for Stefano Pioli's head, the hosts really look to have turned a corner, and their character was evident last time out against Udinese as they snatched a last-minute winner on the road in a 3-2 comeback win. That result stretched their unbeaten run to six matches in Serie A with five wins and one draw for their efforts.

"Following a sensational start to their campaign, Bologna have struggled of late, winning just one of their last four league games. Thiago Motta's side have been poor on the road this term, winning just once against Salernitana, and only managing nine goals, and they won't be helped here by some notable absentees."

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20:00 Ligue 1 - Marseille v Monaco: Back Monaco with handicap

James Eastham: "Gennaro Gattuso's hosts are 7/5 to win, while Monaco are 7/4 and the Draw is 27/10. Those odds don't reflect the fact that Marseille will be without several important players...

"Monaco have their problems but the game's more of a 50-50 proposition than the market suggests. The large odds on the visitors throw up good opportunities to back the Principality outfit.

"Our selection is to back Monaco on the Asian Handicap. With this pick, you'll make a profit if Monaco win, or if the game ends in a draw."

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