3 hours ago
2 ARTICLE AD
The action has come thick and fast this week and there is no let up as we move into a busy weekend schedule which includes matches in the FA Cup, EFL and Scottish divisions.
Before that, though, there are a number of fixtures on Friday to get stuck into and our focus is on Cardiff's FA Cup visit to Aston Villa, the Championship clash between Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland and La Liga’s relegation dust-up involving Valladolid and Las Palmas.
BET £10 GET £30 IN FREE BETS ON TALKSPORT BET
Friday football tips
Bet of the Day
Aston Villa to win & both teams score vs Cardiff @ 15/8
Cardiff ended their five-match winless streak with a much-needed 1-0 victory over Hull on Tuesday but their FA Cup adventure could be finished by Aston Villa on Friday.
The Bluebirds eased their Championship relegation fears with the victory over the Tigers but they could struggle against Villa, even if home boss Unai Emery chooses to rotate his side with bigger fish to fry in the Premier League.
A lively encounter looks likely at Villa Park and any changes to the home line-up could offer a glimmer of hope to the second-tier strugglers, who are at least fancied to get on the scoresheet in defeat.
The Villans are unbeaten across their last nine competitive home games but they are without a clean sheet in 10 outings, while Cardiff have failed to score in just one of their last 15 matches in all competitions.
The Welsh side can play their part in what could be a typical cup affair between a top-tier team and a lower-league outfit, but a shock result appears unlikely.
Special of the Day
Both teams to score in Aston Villa vs Cardiff, Sheffield Wednesday vs Sunderland & Valladolid vs Las Palmas - the treble pays out at 6/1
A case has already been made for goals at both ends at Villa Park on Friday, but there could be plenty of goalmouth action in the Championship when Sunderland head to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday, while the basement battle in La Liga could also reach fever pitch as Valladolid host Las Palmas in their crucial contest.
The treble pays out at 6/1 and looks a solid option for those looking for a chunky payout.
Sunderland head to South Yorkshire having lost just two of their last nine league matches, but they are looking to bounce back following a shock loss to struggling Hull.
That should see them play on the front foot but that could open up opportunities for the Owls to strike back, as they look to keep alive their own faint hopes of a play-off spot.
In La Liga, Valladolid are rock-bottom having lost their last six games and they will likely need to get something out of fellow strugglers, Las Palmas, if they are to have any chance of survival.
Las Palmas are in 17th having gone eight games without a win and a nervy encounter could lead to goals at the Jose Zorrilla Stadium.
Both teams have scored in six of Las Palmas’ last seven games so that looks a strong candidate to help boost our treble.
Longshot of the Day
Wilson Isidor first goalscorer in Sunderland vs Sheffield Wednesday @ 5/1
Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor is in a rich vein of form and the French forward should be backed to open the scoring at Hillsborough on Friday.
Isiodor has bagged 13 goals in all competitions this term, helping the Black Cats to fourth spot in the Championship.
The 24-year-old hotshot opened the scoring in the 2-1 loss to leaders Leeds a fortnight ago, while he was also on the mark prior to that against Luton.
It's seven goals in his last 12 outings for Sunderland, so Isidor is worth backing to extend his hot streak this week.
