With some of Europe’s elite returning from their brief festive intervals this weekend, we are treated to a stacked first Saturday of 2026 from across across the continent.
Alongside a quartet of Premier League showdowns, we also have some heavyweight battles from the likes of La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga.
So, for those of you looking to stick on a Saturday flutter, we have taken a glance at some of the most eye-catching Saturday betting tips.
11:30 Como vs Udinese
While Como might have got December underway with consecutive Serie A defeats, Cesc Fabregas’ men signed off 2025 with a real flurry. Cruising their way to a routine 3-0 romp away at Lecce, the former Arsenal skipper has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits from across the continent. Getting New Year’s Day underway sat in the European spots, the Lombardy-based outfit also know that they could move within touching distance of the Champions League places this weekend. Signing off November with a 2-0 win against Sassuolo, Como have also gained a real reputation for their continued dominance on home soil. Including a famous 2-0 victory against Italian icons Juventus on October 19th, Fabregas’ side are unbeaten in all of their first nine showdowns at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia across all competitions. It should also be highlighted, Saturday’s hosts have suffered just a single Serie A defeat in Lombardy over the past 11 months.
Although Udinese might have sprung a sensational upset last month as they snatched a 1-0 victory at home against reigning Italian champions Napoli, the Little Zebras have once again drastically struggled to find any kind of stability. Falling to a nightmare 5-1 drumming at the hands of relegation scrappers Fiorentina last month, Kosta Runjaic’s side have sacrificed their spot in the top-half of the Serie A standings. Watching their Coppa Italia adventure come to a routine end on December 2nd as they got hit with a 2-0 loss against Juventus, Saturday’s guests have won just a pair of their previous eight showdowns against top-flight opposition. Marking their return from November’s international break with a 3-0 defeat at home against Bologna, Udinese should also be concerned by their most recent meeting against Como. Slumping to a 4-1 defeat when they travelled to Lombardy 12 months ago, we are backing a similar home win here.
Como vs Udinese Betting Tip: Nico Paz to score anytime @ 2/1 with Pribet
12:30 Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest
Eventually falling to a 4-1 drumming away at leading title contenders Arsenal earlier in the week, Aston Villa will be searching for an immediate response here. Nevertheless, despite watching their record-breaking purple patch come to an abrupt end in north London, Unai Emery’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high and they have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the continent. Winning each of their other 11 appearances across all competitions, the former PSG boss finds his squad sat in bronze medal position and they are sat firmly in the driving seat to book a lucrative Champions League ticket in 2026. Last seen at Villa Park securing a 2-1 victory against Manchester United, Saturday’s hosts have gained a fearsome reputation for their dominance on home soil. In fact, Villa have won all of their last 10 consecutive showdowns in front of their own supporters – a run that stems all the way back to August 31st.
While Nottingham Forest might have enjoyed an immediate boost following Sean Dyche’s arrival at the City Ground back in October, the Reds have once again shown some real issues. Last seen earlier in the week putting in a worrying performance on home soil as they fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Everton, Saturday’s guests are still firmly looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap. Likewise, including a 1-0 defeat away at Fulham on December 22nd, Forest have lost each of their previous three consecutive Premier League appearances. Enduring their worst rut since the ex-Burnley boss arrived in Nottingham, the relegation scrappers are also searching for a crucial clinical edge in the final third. It should be highlighted, Forest have registered just a single Premier League strike in over 280 minutes of Premier League action. Losing each of their last three straight trips to Villa Park by an aggregate score of 8-3, Dyche’s side look set for what is another stern examination here.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Betting Tip: Aston Villa win & Under 4.5 goals @ 23/20 with Luckster
Saturday’s European Double
- Como vs Udinese – Nico Paz to score anytime @ 2/1
- Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest – Aston Villa win & Under 4.5 goals @ 23/20
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