Football Accumulator - kurosawakung’s diary

With the action from across Europe rolling onto Thursday night, we are offered a string of eye-catching meetings in midweek. On that note, for those of you looking to stick on a midweek acca, we have searched far and wide to find you a couple of helpful tips.

Daily football accumulator – Thursday 6 February

Starting with Thursday’s guests, putting in what was a rampant display and picking up a thumping 5-0 win against Belenenses over the weekend, Porto are cruising to their 29th Primeira Liga crown. Holding a six-point buffer over an inconsistent Benfica and winning their last three contests on the bounce, the Dragons are also in the midst of a run that has seen them lose just one of their last 13 top-flight appearances. Along with really starting to shine in the final third since making their return from the enforced break last month, Head Coach Sérgio Conceição will be most impressed by his side’s remarkable record at the back. Recording another clean sheet at the Estádio Do Dragão on Sunday, Dragões have gone five matches on the bounce without picking the ball out of their own net and will be looking to make another statement on Thursday. On the flip side, while Porto might be battling it out at the top of the Primeira Liga, Tondela find themselves still at the heart of a relegation scrap. Hit with a 1-0 defeat at home against Famalicão over the weekend, the midweek hosts have collected just a single point over their last four contests on the bounce. Even more worrying for the Gold and Greens, they have managed to bag just a single goal from open play on their winless run. Winning each of their last six straight meetings against Tondela and remarkably recording a clean sheet in each of those victories, we’re backing a similar outcome on Thursday night.

Tip: Porto win to nil @ 11/10

20:15 Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Eventually putting five past Bournemouth over the weekend and extending on what has been a remarkable unbeaten run, the mood in Manchester United’s camp appears to be at a season-high. Still firmly in the race to secure a Champions League return this summer, the former Premier League champions find themselves enjoy a stunning 16-match unbeaten run across all competitions. More impressive, winning their last four appearances on the bounce, the Reds also managed to book an FA Cup semi-final showdown against Chelsea for later in the month. Really starting to shine in the final third and now bagging 13 goals on their winning run, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be most impressed by Mason Greenwood’s stunning purple patch. Putting in another Man of the Match display against Bournemouth on Saturday and bagging a brace at Old Trafford, the 18-year-old sensation has bagged three Premier League goals in back-to-back matchups and is continuing to break records in Manchester. With Villa in the midst of a real crisis and still showing some glaring issues at the back, Greenwood should be confident of extending on his tally in midweek. Eventually hit with a 2-0 defeat at Anfield over the weekend, Dean Smith’s side are low on both form and confidence. Still sat four points adrift of safety with just five contests remaining, the Midlands outfit have failed to win any of their last 10 matchups across all competitions, with eight defeats and two draws. Holding the worst defensive record in the Premier League, Villa could be in for another tough test on Thursday night.

Tip: Mason Greenwood to score anytime @ 11/10

20:45 Tenerife vs Real Zaragoza

Starting with Thursday’s hosts, shocking many across the Segunda once again last week and snatching a dramatic late winner away at top-two chasers Almería, few would have expected Tenerife’s stellar purple patch. Now in the midst of a stunning six-match unbeaten run, their most fruitful spell of the season so far, Chicharreros have collected 14 points on their glittering run and have their own play-off finish on their agenda. Opening the midweek fixtures sat just two points adrift of breaking into the top-six and with a growing reputation for their clinical displays in the final third, one man to keep an eye out for in midweek will be the red-hot Luis Milla. Once again converting from the spot against Almeria over the weekend, the 25-year-old has now recorded four Segunda strikes in as many appearances. With the mood in their camp only continuing to skyrocket, there is no doubt that Thursday’s hosts will be boosted by what was a famous 2-0 win against league leaders Cadiz last month. On the flip side, while Tenerife might be a side on the charge, Zaragoza find themselves enduring their worst run since the end of October. Hit with a 4-2 drumming against Rayo Vallecano on Monday night, Víctor Fernández’s side have lost their last three Segunda matchups on the bounce and have collected just three points out of a possible 15. Slumping to a 1-0 loss the last time they made the trip to Tenerife, Chicharreros will be confident of extending on their purple patch in midweek.