Football Accumulator Tips: A Scottish FA Cup 5/1 fivefold

We take a break from searching for winners in the Premiership to target a Scottish Cup accumulator. The fifth round dominates our thinking this weekend, with games played from Friday through Monday. Thanks to BBC Scotland and Premier Sports, five matches will be broadcast live on television, and broadcasters hope for at least one upset.

We hit the post with our accumulator last weekend, with lowly St Johnstone striking late in Paisley to bag a surprise win over St Mirren. Aiming to go one better and land a handsome profit from the cup games, Betfred’s Frank Monkhouse picks five teams worth following this weekend, three of which play live. Check out his Football Accumulator Tips for the weekend below...

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Hibs beat Ayr United

We open the show at Somerset Park on Friday, where we’re backing Premiership Hibs to beat Championship Ayr United. The home team are top of the Championship and on an impressive run of form. The Honest Men could be playing Premiership football next season, but they’ll get first-hand experience of the gulf in class between the second tier and the top division when Hibs come to town.

The visitors are fifth in the table and arrive fresh from an impressive 2-0 home win over Aberdeen. Back Hibs to win and progress to the next round, sending their fans home to the capital in high spirits.

Dundee beat Airdrie

Moving to the first of three home wins from the four games played on Saturday, we start with Dundee to beat Airdrie in another Premiership versus Championship showdown. The locals have fallen off the pace in the league, slipping out of the top six and down to tenth place following three games without a win. They’ll welcome the distraction of playing knockout football and have the skills needed to record an overdue victory.

It’s not difficult to oppose the visitors with Airdre stuck to the bottom of the Championship. The Diamonds have won just three of 22 games in the league, scoring 16 goals and conceding 42. They’re headed for League One and will soon exit the cup at the hands of a stronger and more talented team.

Livingston beat Cove

It’s a surprise to see Cove Rangers still battling away in the cup, but I expect their excellent run to end on Saturday away to Livingston. The away side are second in League One and have won four of their previous five games at that level. But they take on a different animal when visiting a high-flyer from the league above.

Livingston are red-hot favourites to win this game and continue their adventure. Victory in each of their last three games has lifted the Lions to third in the Championship, just two points off pace-setters Ayr United. I doubt they’ll win the cup or even make it to the final, but I have no problems adding Livi to our weekend accumulator.

St Johnstone beat Hamilton

Our final pick from Saturday’s game, and we’re trusting St Johnstone to be professional and get the job done against Hamilton in Perth. The Premiership side enjoy the home advantage over their opponents from the Championship and look good value for the win. The Saints are involved in a relegation dogfight in the top tier but have made things interesting by taking six points from their last two games. Another win looks likely.

Hamilton are second from the bottom of the Championship and could be playing in League One next season if things don’t improve quickly. Staying in the Championship is more important to Accies than trying to win the Scottish Cup against all the odds. They’ve lost their last four league games and five of their previous six. Back the Saints to shine.

Aberdeen beat Dunfermline

We wrap things up with our final pick from Pittodrie on Sunday afternoon when Aberdeen takes on Dunfermline. The Dons are in freefall in the Premiership, dropping from the top of the league to fourth, and have collected just one of the last 18 points available. Sunday’s home game against lower-league opposition is the ideal opportunity to get back on track, and we’re picking the Dons to do just that.

Dunfermline head to the Granite City third from the bottom of the Championship. They’ve failed to win four of their previous six games and have already conceded 32 goals. The Pars are out of their depth here and it will show in the result.