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Horse Racing Jimmy’s Punt: Jan 28th - 48.00 Long Shot
Jimmy’s Punt: Saturday, January 28th
I mentioned patience before I posted my first ‘punt’ and it has been a tough start to the weekly longshot column.
Winners were always going to be few and far between but it is a slight concern that the first two were nowhere near.
I have a player card treble for this weekend’s FA Cup fourth-round action, a combination of booking merchants and card-happy referees will be the winning formula, I am hoping.
The bet pays out at a cool 48.13 and I would advise a point.
In this article:
- Accrington vs Leeds Preview & Best Bet
- Preston vs Tottenham Preview & Best Bet
- Manchester United vs Reading Preview & Best Bet
- FA Cup Acca Odds
Accrington vs Leeds Preview
England, FA Cup, Saturday, January 28, 12:30 (UK)
Accrington Stanley host Premier League Leeds on Saturday afternoon, four days after securing their place in the fourth round.
A Tommy Leigh penalty in extra time was the only thing to split John Coleman’s side and National League Boreham Wood, who made it to the fifth round of the competition last campaign.
It is a quick turnaround for the hosts here, especially considering they had to play for two hours against the stubborn non-league outfit, though they do have the luck of the draw on their side.
The importance of this match taking place on the ‘Owd Reds’ own patch cannot be underestimated. They can make the state of the pitch work to their advantage.
United are all too familiar with an upset as well. League Two Crawley emphatically knocked them out in the third round two seasons ago.
So Accrington, a league superior, will definitely fancy their chances of progressing.
Jesse Marsch’s side were almost stung this season as they found themselves two goals down inside 31 minutes at Cardiff.
Keen to avoid embarrassment, their American supremo sent the big dogs out to secure the replay before going full strength at Elland Road. You would imagine Marsch would name another strong XI here.
Accrington vs Leeds Best Bet
Wilfried Gnonto – or ‘Degnand’ Gnonto as he appears on bet365 – is the prime candidate for a card.
The Italian international is pure box office.
Since the restart, he has scored three goals, two of which came in the last round, and picked up four cards in seven appearances.
He was carded in each of the games in the last round, and with a favourable referee appointment, I would not be surprised to see him add to that cynical tally.
- Selection: Wilfried Gnonto Card (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 5.50 (bet365)
- Stakes: 10/10
Preston vs Tottenham Preview
England, FA Cup, Saturday, January 28, 18:00 (UK)
Preston are a tough side to get a read on.
You’ll remember them at the beginning of the season, drawing five of their opening six league games 0-0.
Staggeringly, there was only a total eight goals scored in their opening 12 games, an average of 0.67 per game.
Unfortunately, this trend did not last.
North End is amidst a topsy-turvy campaign. Ryan Lowe’s side edged a five-goal thriller at Carrow Road, then were thumped 0-4 in the reverse and that thrashing was one of three where their opponents have scored 4+ this season.
Domestically, Preston have won more games (11), then they have lost (10), yet their form away from home trumps their record on their home patch.
If you want to try and gauge how this game is going to go, it is probably best looking at their opponents, Tottenham.
Harry Kane, who is quietly enjoying a phenomenal campaign, match-winning performances are papering over what has, this far, been a so-so campaign.
Antonio Conte’s side have lost half of their last three games in all competitions, which includes a defeat in the North London derby, which has put them off the pace in the race for the Champions League spot.
While the FA Cup does represent a realistic shot at silverware, Spurs’ performance in the last round was so abject it is hard to imagine them breaking their barren spell.
Preston vs Tottenham Best Bet
Ched Evans makes up the next booking selection.
This is a man that has picked up five yellows and a red in less than 1,000 minutes of Championship action this campaign.
Peter Banks has the whistle, a man who has brandished 4.2 cards per game, so we could see a flurry of cards at Deepdale.
- Selection: Ched Evans Card
- Best Odds: 3.50 (bet365)
- Stakes: 5/10
More Preston vs Tottenham Tips
Manchester United vs Reading Preview
England, FA Cup, Saturday, January 28, 20:00 (UK)
Of all the options available, I am not sure Manchester United vs Reading is one of the more TV-worthy clashes, though it is one laced with narrative.
Paul “Guvnor” Ince, former Red Devils captain, who won the Premier League twice, the League Cup, the European Cup Winners Cup and the FA Cup twice during his time at Old Trafford, returns to his old stomping ground as supremo of Reading.
Following an eight-year absence, his appointment in temporary charge of Reading last February was one that took everyone by surprise. And when he was handing the reins permanently for this campaign, I thought the Royals were destined for the third tier.
Credit where it is due, Ince has exceeded my expectations in the hardest of circumstances. And while the Royals were hovering around the top end of the division at the start of the campaign, the limitations of their small squad has started to take its toll.
Reading have only won one of their last six and I think the 18/1 about them to cause an upset is absolutely fair enough.
Manchester United vs Reading Best Bet
Instead, the card market is worth delving into once more, and there is no lead to look past the favourite for a booking; Loum N’Diaye.
The midfielder has racked up nine cards in Championship this season, taking his tally to 19 from his last 35 domestic appearances.
- Selection: Mamadou Loum (Loum N’Diaye) Card
- Best Odds: 2.50 (bet365)
- Stakes: 5/10
Odds as at 14:30 on 26th January 2023. Odds may now differ.
More Manchester United vs Reading Tips
Jimmy’s Punt: January 28th
- Accrington vs Leeds – Wilfried Gnonto Card
- Preston vs Tottenham – Ched Evans Card
- Manchester United vs Reading – Mamadou Loum Card
Acca Odds: 48.13
Odds via bet365 as at 14:30 January 26 2023. Odds may now differ.
WHAT IS A FOOTBALL ACCA?
A football acca is an accumulator bet, a type of bet that consists of several selections across different matches that are combined together into one single bet. An acca usually. consists of at least four selections but many more can be included. There will be odds for the single bet as a whole which is calculated by multiplying the odds of all of the selections. A football acca is one of the most popular ways to bet. This is the case because they can create potentially massive odds for a small stake. Many punters choose to create Premier League accas which is what we have created here.If one of these selections loses then the football acca will lose. This type of bet needs every selection to win in order to succeed.
