Football Betting Tips

Leeds made wholesale changes for their 3-1 win over Derby in the last round of the FA Cup, and they face a much sterner test against Birmingham.

The Blues have been let down by their away record, but they’ve won eight and drawn six of their 15 home matches this season.

The new wave of documentary clubs seem to put plenty of emphasis on the cups, as Birmingham did last season. They made it to the fourth round of the FA Cup during their League One promotion campaign, pushing Birmingham in an intense atmosphere. Leeds’ focus is elsewhere, so Birmingham are good value to at least avoid defeat at home.

Millwall’s 2-0 win at Wrexham on Saturday extended their lead over the sixth-placed side to six points. The Welsh outfit are busy in the FA Cup this weekend, so the Lions can extend that cushion in this visit to bottom side Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls have lost nine straight games without scoring, while Millwall top the form table with 17 points from eight games. The Lions have beaten Wrexham, Charlton, and Watford by two or more goals across their last five league games, so they can claim a comfortable win.

Man City didn’t hold back in the third round of the cup, as they thumped Exeter 10-1. League Two Salford have suffered 1-0 defeats to Accrington and Chesterfield across their last three, but they should fear a heavier defeat on Saturday.

Salford were beaten 8-0 when these two sides met at the Etihad last year, with a ruthless City side generating 10 shots on target and 5.04 Expected Goals.

PSV Eindhoven are the runaway Eredivisie leaders, winning 19 of their 22 league games this term. The Dutch champions have a perfect record of 11 wins from 11 on their travels, averaging close to three goals per game.

Volendam haven’t beaten a top-half side in 11 attempts this season, but they have scored in 10 of their 11 home games. PSV have conceded in 13 of their 19 league wins this term, so Volendam should be good for a consolation goal.

Glenavon are bottom of the Northern Irish Premiership, and and they’ve lost all 13 of their away games this season. The visitors have conceded a huge 32 goals across those games, while scoring just seven times.

Carrick Rangers have surged up the standings with four straight wins, and they’ve already recorded a home win over the relegation-threatened visitors this term.

Leipzig caused real problems for Bayern Munich when these sides last met, but the Bavarians ran out 5-1 winners. Vincent Kompany’s side have scored 11 times across the two Bundesliga meetings between the sides this season.

Over 3.5 goals has landed in five of the last six clashes between the teams, while Bayern beat Hoffenheim 5-1 at the weekend. The free-scoring Bundesliga leaders should book their place in the last four of the German Cup with another comfortable win.

Pisa’s struggles in front of goal continued last weekend, with the second-bottom side drawing 0-0 with fellow strugglers Hellas Verona.

Pisa have scored only three times in 12 home matches, while Milan are in the title mix thanks to some impressive defending. The Rossoneri have conceded only eight times on their travels this term, and they’ve already recorded 10 wins to nil in the league this season.

The last meeting between these two Edinburgh rivals was a thriller, which Hibs won 3-2. The visitors won by the same scoreline against Dundee United in their last league game, and their trip to Hearts should be another high-scoring affair.

Hibs were beaten 4-1 at Falkirk in their last away game, while Hearts have scored 25 times in their 12 home Premiership games this term.

NEC Nijmegen continued their Eredivisie success with a 4-1 win over Heracles on Saturday, earning their fourth consecutive league win. They’re above Ajax in the standings, while they’re only a point shy of second-placed Feyenoord.

Visitors Utrecht have lost all of their visits to top-half sides, and they head into this midweek clash having suffered four defeats in their last five league games.

Barcelona made it 17 wins from 18 games with a 3-0 success against Real Mallorca on Saturday. They can continue their brilliant run in the first-leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

Atletico lost to Real Betis on Sunday, days after beating them 5-0 in the last round of the cup. Simeone’s side have lost their last three meetings with Barca, including a home defeat at this stage of the cup last season.

Cremonese have failed to score in five successive away games and have blanked in six of their last seven on the road. Atalanta have kept clean sheets in six of their last eight Serie A matches and have conceded just nine goals in 12 home league games this season.

AVS have lost seven of their nine away trips by two goals or more this season, while the visitors have picked up only five points in 20 league games. Famalicao have won by at least two goals in each of their four home wins, while they’ve won all five clashes with the bottom three to nil this term.

AZ Reserves lost 4-3 in their last home game, and half of their home matches have featured at least four goals. The visitors have scored eight goals across a three-game winning streak, while over 3.5 has landed in seven of the hosts’ last eight league games.

Racing are top of the table and they’re backed to see off a Mirandes side who have lost seven of 12 away trips. The visitors are bottom of the standings, but they’ve scored 14 goals in 12 away trips, while they’ve scored in each of their three losses against the top three.

Porto suffered a shock defeat against Gil Vicente last week, but they have dropped just two home points this season and can get back to winning ways against their chief title rivals.

AVS have lost seven of their nine away trips by two goals or more this season, while the visitors have picked up only five points in 20 league games. Famalicao have won by at least two goals in each of their four home wins, while they’ve won all five clashes with the bottom three to nil this term.

Both defences have been struggling. Villarreal have gone 10 games across all competitions without a clean sheet and both teams have scored in four of Espanyol’s last six games, and they have conceded in all of those, so goals at both ends looks likely at El Madrigal.

Middlesbrough are on a five-game winning run but that streak may end at Sheffield United. Boro’s away form has been less impressive with two defeats in their last four trips and they have been leaking goals on their travels, while the Blades are unbeaten in eight at home and have won six of those games.

Porto suffered a shock defeat against Gil Vicente last week, but they have dropped just two home points this season and can get back to winning ways against their chief title rivals.

AZ Reserves lost 4-3 in their last home game, and half of their home matches have featured at least four goals. The visitors have scored eight goals across a three-game winning streak, while over 3.5 has landed in seven of the hosts’ last eight league games.

Bottom side Mirandes head to leaders Racing Santander, and the hosts have seen over 2.5 goals land in 83% of their home matches. The visitors have conceded twice in six of their last seven matches, so back goals in this encounter.

Only one of Roma’s last nine matches have gone over 2.5 goals, with their 23 league games featuring only 41 goals at an average of 1.78 out per outing. They excel defensively but a lack of firepower is what is holding them back.

Racing are top of the table and they’re backed to see off a Mirandes side who have lost seven of 12 away trips. The visitors are bottom of the standings, but they’ve scored 14 goals in 12 away trips, while they’ve scored in each of their three losses against the top three.

Villarreal have eight wins in 11 home La Liga games and their only defeats in this competition at El Madrigal have been against Barca and Real Madrid. However, Villarreal have gone 10 games across all competitions without a clean sheet and both teams have scored in four of Espanyol’s last six games.

A home win is expected but United are unlikely to deny Middlesbrough a goal. The Blades have gone nine games without recording a shut-out, but Boro’s away form has been less impressive with two defeats in their last four trips and they have been leaking goals on their travels. The hosts have won four straight at home, scoring three goals in each.

Under 2.5 goals looks the most prudent play and correct-score bettors should side with a 1-0 home win. The Wolves have kept ten clean sheets in 23 league outings and five of their 14 league victories have ended that way.

A home win is expected but United are unlikely to deny Middlesbrough a goal. The Blades have gone nine games without recording a shut-out so a 2-1 home win is the correct score pick, as United score on average 1.7 goals per-game at home.

Both defences have been struggling. Villarreal have gone 10 games across all competitions without a clean sheet and both teams have scored in four of Espanyol’s last six games, and they have conceded in all of those, so goals at both ends looks likely at El Madrigal.

Gerard Moreno scored both of Villarreal’s goals in the draw with Osasuna last time out and has three goals in his last four league games. The 33-year-old looks a contender for an anytime effort on Monday.

Callum O’Hare is the Blades’ top scorer this season with eight Championship goals. The midfielder has two goals in his last three appearances at Bramall Lane and can add to his haul on Monday.

Porto suffered a shock defeat against Casa Pia last week, but they have dropped just two home points this season and can get back to winning ways against their chief title rivals.

Lanus saw a perfect start to the season ended in a 2-2 draw at Instituto last time out as they conceded a injury time equaliser. They can respond with three points against Talleres, who have lost back-to-back league games, but a Lanus clean sheet is unlikely. The hosts have shipped five goals in three games in this competition and have conceded in eight successive domestic games, while Talleres have scored in all of their league games.

Tottenham have beaten Borussia Dortmund and drawn with Manchester City in their last two home fixtures and against a Newcastle team struggling for form, particularly on the road, they could pick up a positive result.

Norwich have hit form with four wins in their last five league games, losing only at title contenders Middlesbrough, to pull clear of danger. The Canaries can continue their purple patch with three points at Oxford, who have just one point to show from their last three games and have scored just once during that run.

In-form Birmingham have lost just once at home all season and should make lightwork of a struggling West Brom side that have picked up only a solitary point from their last 12 Championship away fixtures. Birmingham, who scored two goals last time out against Leicester, can cover a -1 handicap against a West Brom side that have failed to score in their last two games. 

Hearts are unbeaten at home this season, but they have won just two of the previous 10 Edinburgh derbies. Hibs can frustrate their bitter rivals and put a dent in their title hopes by taking at least a point.

Napoli needed a last-minute penalty to win 3-2 at Genoa on Saturday and they’ll have to work hard to see off Como. The hosts won 3-1 when these two sides met at this ground in October 2024, and Antoino Conte’s title-chasers can pull off another win over a Como side who were frustrated by 10-man Atalanta in their most recent outing.

Chelsea have won all four of their Premier League matches since Liam Rosenior took charge and they have not lost to Leeds at Stamford Bridge since 1999. Leeds are much improved and can get on the scoresheet in West London, but they are unlikely to claim any points.

Napoli needed a last-minute penalty to win 3-2 at Genoa on Saturday and they’ll have to work hard to see off Como. The hosts won 3-1 when these two sides met at this ground in October 2024, and Antoino Conte’s title-chasers can pull off another win over a Como side who were frustrated by 10-man Atalanta in their most recent outing. Both teams have scored in four of Napoli’s last five games in all competitions, while Como have scored in eight of their last nine. The visitors are capable of getting on the scoresheet in defeat.

Joao Pedro is Chelsea’s leading scorer this season and has four goal involvements in his last four Premier League appearances and that is not even including the two penalties he won at Wolves last time out. The in-form Brazilian looks a prime candidate to get on the scoresheet.

Dominic Solanke has scored three goals in his two home starts this season and has an impressive record when facing Newcastle, netting four goals across his last three appearances against the Magpies.

Joao Pedro is Chelsea’s leading scorer this season and has four goal involvements in his last four Premier League appearances and that is not even including the two penalties he won at Wolves last time out. The in-form Brazilian looks a prime candidate to get on the scoresheet.

Rayan has a goal and an assist to his name from just 109 minutes of Premier League football and the teenager, who joined Bournemouth from Vasco da Gama last month, can continue his fast start with another strike this midweek.

Dominic Solanke has scored three goals in his two home starts this season and has an impressive record when facing Newcastle, netting four goals across his last three appearances against the Magpies.

Crysencio Summerville has hit form for West Ham, scoring in five successive matches, and against a Man Utd defence that is far from watertight, he could extend that streak to six.

Peterborough tend to be involved in high-scoring games and there have been 12 goals scored in total across their last two games. Over 2.5 goals has landed in each of the last three meetings and both of these teams’ games are averaging comfortably over two goals per-game, so we should see at least three goals at Field Mill.

Over 3.5 goals has landed in four of Eastleigh’s last five games and both teams have scored in all of those. Solihull Moors have gone eight games without a clean sheet at home and five of those fixtures have produced at least four goals, this has the potential to be a high-scoring contest.

Both teams have scored in four of the last five Edinburgh derbies at Tynecastle, so this could be a high-scoring affair. Over 3.5 goals has landed in four of Hibs’ last seven league games and Hearts are scoring over two goals per-game on average at home, these bitter rivals can combine for at least four goals.

West Ham have scored two or more goals in five successive matches but have only kept one clean-sheet since August. Man Utd meanwhile, have scored in 15 straight games but are yet to shut an opponent out on their travels this season. These teams should be able to combine for at least three goals.

Chelsea have won all four of their Premier League matches since Liam Rosenior took charge and they have not lost to Leeds at Stamford Bridge since 1999. Leeds are much improved and can get on the scoresheet in West London, but their away record remains a concern.

These two sides have been draw specialists of late, with Everton sharing the spoils in four of their last six matches in all competitions and Bournemouth in seven of their previous 12. With just three points separating them in the league standings, another tight contest is expected and the Cherries can take at least a point.

Tottenham have beaten Borussia Dortmund and drawn with Manchester City in their last two home fixtures and against a Newcastle team struggling for form, particularly on the road, they could pick up a positive result.

West Ham have scored two or more goals in five successive matches but have only kept one clean-sheet since August. Man Utd meanwhile, have scored in 15 straight games but are yet to shut an opponent out on their travels this season. These teams should be able to combine for at least three goals.

Norwich have hit form with four wins in their last five league games, losing only at title contenders Middlesbrough, to pull clear of danger. The Canaries can continue their purple patch with three points at Oxford, who have just one point to show from their last three games and have scored just once during that run.

Both teams have scored in four of Altrincham’s last five games and they have gone 14 without a clean sheet. Wealdstone have conceded in eight consecutive National League away games, but have scored in four of their last five trips across all comps.

Both teams have scored in four of Leicester’s last five games and they have scored in 14 of their last 15, a run dating back to a 3-0 Foxes defeat in the reverse fixture. Saints have scored in six straight games but have only managed one away clean sheet in the league all season so goals at both ends are expected at the King Power.

Stevenage have shipped six goals across their last two games but they have scored themselves in each of their last four. Both teams have scored in seven of Barnsley’s last eight games and they have gone 13 without a clean sheet so goals at both ends looks likely here.

Both teams have scored in four of Napoli’s last five games in all competitions, while Como have scored in eight of their last nine. Both of these teams look capable of getting on the scoresheet.

Cambeidge saw a six-game League Two winning run ended in a shock defeat at bottom club Harrogate over the weekend but Tuesday’s trip to Crawley offers a chance to respond at the first attempt. Crawley have three defeats in their last four at home and have only won one of their last eight at The Broadfield Stadium across all comps, while United have won three of their last four away.

Norwich have hit form with four wins in their last five league games, losing only at title contenders Middlesbrough, to pull clear of danger. The Canaries can continue their purple patch with three points at Oxford, who have just one point to show from their last three games and have scored just once during that run.

Stevenage have shipped six goals across their last two games but they have scored themselves in each of their last four. Both teams have scored in seven of Barnsley’s last eight games and they have gone 13 without a clean sheet so goals at both ends looks likely here.

In-form Birmingham have lost just once at home all season and should make lightwork of a struggling West Brom side that have picked up only a solitary point from their last 12 Championship away fixtures.

These two sides are in contrasting form and Birmingham, who scored two goals last time out against Leicester, should run out comfortable winners against a West Brom side that have failed to score in their last two games. Take a chance on a 2-0 win for the hosts. 

Hearts are unbeaten at home this season, but they have won just two of the previous 10 Edinburgh derbies. Hibs have won just one of their last five games in league and cup, so back a share of the spoils with the visitors failing to win at any top-half side on their travels this term. Both teams have scored in four of the last five Edinburgh derbies at Tynecastle, three of which have ended level, so this could be a high-scoring share of the spoils for the two sides. The hosts have seen four score draws at home this term, while Hibs have recorded three 2-2 draws in this campaign.

Liverpool look like the best value pick, with the Reds putting their struggles behind them with an eight-game unbeaten run. The Reds have the fourth-best Expected Goals record across the first six Champions League gameweeks, while they’ve recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins over Real Madrid and Inter Milan in Europe. Arne Slot’s side have a kind double-header in January, leaving them primed for a top-eight finish. With the Premier League coasting towards a fifth Champions League berth, the Reds should be in a good position to focus on European success in the spring.

Spain have some incredibly talented individuals, Lamine Yamal being the prime example, but are strong in all areas and don’t have any particular weaknesses. They won Euro 2024 with relative ease and they should be too good for their continental rivals at the World Cup. They also look a level above South American heavyweights Argentina and Brazil, suggesting they will be the team to beat at the World Cup this summer.