Saturday Accumulator Tip

On Saturday I’m backing two sides in the Premier League drop zone to lose again, and in-form Birmingham and West Ham to win at home in the Championship. It doesn’t sound too far-fetched but it comes in as a great value 20/1 (VictorChandler) shot.

First up I’m taking Swansea City to maintain their fantastic home record against struggling Bolton. The Welsh side are yet to concede, let alone lose at the Liberty Stadium since promotion. They have won eight and drawn four of their last 12 league games at home. Amazingly, the pre-season relegation favourites have averaged more passes per game than Manchester United thus far - a sign of a decent outfit surely. In Danny Graham they also have a striker bang in form; the club record signing has notched goals in three consecutive matches. Bolton have to be anxious after losing 2-0 at home to Sunderland last week. That made it seven league defeats out of nine played.

My only away pick is a Fulham side who travel to Wigan Athletic. The Cottagers have had some poor results lately, but they will surely turn the corner soon in a fixture such as this. Defeat against Everton last week was desperately cruel. Bobby Zamora missed a sitter in the 89th minute when the score was 1-1, before the Toffees grabbed two goals in injury time. That’s just the way it’s been going for Martin Jol’s side of late, but they are better than that. There have been mitigating circumstances for other disappointing results since the 6-0 hammering of QPR a few weeks ago.

The luck has to change soon and Jol knows that he has great firepower at his disposal. Zamora and Johnson just need a spark, and Bryan Ruiz will have gained confidence from his fine chipped goal against Everton. They face a Wigan side for whom the signs look very ominous. Six straight defeats have come with just three goals scored in the process. What Roberto Martinez would give for one or two of the attacking options the opposition will have on Saturday.

In the Championship, Birmingham City are on the charge. Chris Hughton has done a good deal more than steady the ship, leading the Carling Cup holders to six straight victories in all competitions. The Blues face a Brighton and Hove Albion side whose fortunes couldn’t be any more contrasting. The Seagulls have slipped from top to 13th after seven winless games. On form, it’s a home banker.

The two pre-season promotion favourites meet at Upton Park with those lofty expectations looking much more intact for West Ham. Leicester City are languishing down in 13th spot and are managerless following the departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson earlier in the week. Until a new man takes the helm it’s hard to imagine a dramatic improvement. Sam Allardyce’s side have had a few setbacks of their own, yet they still sit second in the table. They will surely have too much quality for a rudderless side that lost 3-0 at home to Millwall last time out.

Back Swansea, Fulham, Birmingham and West Ham to win at a best price of 20/1 with VictorChandler.