Top football tips for Friday: Zurich’s shaky defence, Sligo’s momentum and MLS unpredictability all line up for Friday’s best bets. Back Zurich, Sligo, Waterford and more in today’s expert betting tips. Strong rationale, smart angles.
Four expert selections, full match analysis and a Super Double – read on to view the tips and profit.
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | Open Account Offer – New Customers only. Bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets when you join bet365. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you five times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value settle. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs , time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org | New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. | New cust only. Opt-in required. Deposit & place a bet within 7 days and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater to be credited with 3 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 football. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. Acca Club: Available to new & existing customers. 3 or more selections. Min Odds: 3/10 (1.3) per leg. Max stake: £500. Max Winnings: £200,000 per boost. Profit Boost amounts vary. Horse Racing, Greyhounds & Trotting excluded. Exclusions apply. Full T&C’s apply. 18+ GambleAware.org. | New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&Cs Apply; 18+ | Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org |
⚽ FC Zurich vs FC Sion
Expert: Linus Bergström; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Zurich begin their new Swiss Super League campaign with a home clash against a Sion side who caused them trouble last season. Mitchell van der Gaag’s team are coming off a fairly productive pre-season, having scored regularly and built some attacking rhythm. However, the defensive issues that plagued them in 2024/25 still appear unresolved.
Zurich’s recent friendlies included a 3-0 loss to German outfit SSV Ulm — a result that highlighted their vulnerability at the back. Although new arrivals such as Nelson Palacio should bolster midfield control, the backline still lacks cohesion. Their previous eight league games against Sion have seen both teams find the net, and with Sion capable of snatching goals despite their poor away form, the trend may well continue.
Didier Tholot’s men ended pre-season with a convincing 3-0 win over Annecy, and while their road record is unconvincing, they’ve beaten Zurich twice this year already. The hosts should come out on top, but not without conceding.
Best bet – FC Zurich to win & Both Teams to Score
Under 2.5 Goals | |
1/1 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Both sides are yet to find full attacking rhythm and are more focused on defensive shape. Expect a cautious affair with limited chances. | |
⚽ Cork City vs Sligo Rovers
Expert: Steve Harrington; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
At Turners Cross, the pressure continues to mount on a Cork City team who have been rooted to the bottom of the League of Ireland Premier Division for weeks. Despite a cup win over non-league Leicester Celtic, Gerard Nash’s men have not collected three points in the league since April. Injuries to key players including Greg Bolger and Ruairi Keating further compound the situation.
Sligo, on the other hand, are building momentum at a crucial time. Fresh from a well-earned 2-0 win over Derry City, and with Owen Elding leading the line impressively, the visitors come into this match in significantly better form. They’ve already taken 23 points this season — eight more than Cork — and look the more balanced side in all departments.
While they have only two away wins in the league this season, this trip to Cork represents a real opportunity to add a third and continue climbing the table.
Best bet – Sligo Rovers to win
Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals | |
5/6 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Miami and Cincinnati both possess elite attacking threats. With open play expected, backing goals from both and a high tally is logical. | |
⚽ Galway United vs Waterford United
Expert: Herrin Kendrick; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Galway United are slipping down the table after a run of poor league form, and now face a Waterford team who appear to have rediscovered their scoring touch. John Coleman’s side were clinical in their last two matches, hitting five past St Mochtas in the cup and beating Cork City 2-0 in the league.
Padraig Amond continues to be Waterford’s focal point up front, already reaching double digits for goals this season. With supporting players like Conan Noonan and Tommy Lonergan showing increased sharpness, Waterford look better equipped than Galway to control this fixture.
Galway haven’t won in the league since mid-June and remain short-handed, missing suspended midfielder Moses Dyer and injured playmaker Jimmy Keohane. Their limited scoring threat combined with defensive lapses gives Waterford the edge — even away from home.
Best bet – Waterford United to win
Over 3.5 Goals | |
13/8 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Both clubs are scoring and leaking goals regularly. Expect a high-scoring affair with defensive fragility on show. | |
⚽ FC Dallas vs New York City FC
Expert: Wolfgang Shotten; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
This MLS clash sees two unpredictable sides meet in Texas, with both desperate for consistency. Dallas have finally ended their winless home streak, but they remain prone to defensive lapses. Their back line has struggled all season, particularly at Toyota Stadium, where they’ve conceded multiple goals on five occasions.
New York City FC, meanwhile, are inconsistent but always pose a threat going forward. With players like Andres Perea and Santiago Rodríguez, they can exploit spaces and punish mistakes. Despite missing several defensive figures including Thiago Martins, the visitors have scored in five of their last six away outings.
Given both teams’ tendency to concede and attack with flair, goals look likely. Dallas can’t afford another slip-up at home, but their fragility makes a clean sheet unlikely. This match could easily produce goals at both ends.
Best bet – Both Teams to Score
Under 1.5 Goals | |
19/10 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Standard’s attacking woes and La Louvière’s defensive outlook make this a clear candidate for a low-scoring match. | |
🧲 Friday Super Double
Derry City to score in both halves vs Bohemians
FC Zurich vs Sion – Over 2.5 goals
Rationale of the Double:
Derry are usually strong at home and capable of scoring across both halves, especially with Liam Boyce and Michael Duffy in form. Meanwhile, Zurich and Sion both have leaky defences and goal-hungry forwards. Combining Derry’s scoring consistency with Zurich’s end-to-end style makes this double a value-packed Friday night punt.
Saturday’s Super Double | |
8/1 - odds when tipped | |
Reasoning Fulham and Forest have looked evenly matched in pre-season, with neither side likely to stretch far for a win. Backing a draw makes sense. Meanwhile, Messi’s return to Miami’s starting XI should see him continue his blistering scoring run, especially after the fire lit under him following their previous loss to Cincinnati. | |
Enhance your betting game with our daily free betting tips, predictions, and accumulators.
For more betting tips and news, check out:
Don’t forget to visit our Free Bets page for the best possible value from our Today’s Football Predictions, as well as our Predictions for Tomorrow’s Football Predictions.
