Friday’s Football Tips: Goals Expected as Chelsea, Sporting, and Brentford Return to Action

Top football tips for Friday: With Friday ushering in the return of top-flight football across Europe, our BettingTips4You experts have analysed the evening’s standout fixtures and handpicked four of the strongest value bets for today’s schedule. From Stamford Bridge to the Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior, expect goals, drama, and serious betting angles.

We’ve carefully selected tips that draw from form trends, injury updates, tactical previews, and recent head-to-heads. Here’s what our experts are backing today.

Let’s dive into the top football tips of the day.

📊 Three Key Stats Behind Today’s Picks

• Chelsea have scored at least 2 goals in 10 of their last 12 home games
• Sporting Lisbon have won 7 consecutive matches against Casa Pia
• Brentford and Gladbach averaged over 2.8 goals per game combined last season

✅ Sporting Lisbon vs Casa Pia

Steve Harrington; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:

Sporting Lisbon begin their league title defence with a trip to Casa Pia, a side they’ve dominated historically. The reigning champions have claimed victory in all seven of their most recent encounters with the Geese, and despite the loss of Viktor Gyökeres to Arsenal, they still look potent in the final third.

Pedro Gonçalves remains the creative heartbeat of the team, with Francisco Trincão and young striker Conrad Harder offering sharpness in attack. Sporting’s midfield duo of Hjulmand and Morita provide the platform for their fluid, possession-based football.

Casa Pia, for their part, were unbeaten in pre-season and usually perform better at home. Joao Pereira’s squad rely on structure and discipline, but their backline could be overwhelmed by Sporting’s pace and ball movement.

A clean sheet might be a stretch for the visitors, but they should have enough quality to outscore the hosts in what could be a lively contest.

Best bet – Sporting Lisbon to win and over 2.5 goals

✅ Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen

John Pentin; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:

Chelsea have enjoyed a perfect summer, and their convincing victory over PSG in the Club World Cup final showed they are ready for the season ahead. The Blues have now won six matches in a row and will be looking to extend their superb run against a Leverkusen side still finding their feet under Erik ten Hag.

João Pedro looks like an exciting new option up front, while Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández continue to provide creativity from deeper positions. Chelsea’s defence, marshalled by Reece James and Levi Colwill, has also looked composed.

Leverkusen, meanwhile, have looked lively in attack during pre-season, but they’ve also shown vulnerabilities, particularly at the back. Without Xhaka and Wirtz, they lack leadership in midfield, and the new signings are still settling in.

Chelsea should win comfortably, but with Leverkusen showing attacking intent and capable of scoring, backing both teams to get on the scoresheet adds excellent value.

Best bet – Chelsea to win and both teams to score

✅ Brentford vs Borussia Monchengladbach

Wolfgang Shotten; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:

Brentford return to the Gtech Community Stadium for their final friendly before the Premier League kicks off, and they host a Borussia Monchengladbach side who have been impressive in pre-season. However, this game looks ideal for goals, given both clubs’ recent defensive issues and focus on attacking football.

The Bees were prolific at home last season, and although they’ve lost Bryan Mbeumo, they still have Igor Thiago leading the line and Mikkel Damsgaard pulling the strings behind. Brentford scored in all but one of their final 10 home matches last term.

Die Fohlen, on the other hand, conceded 57 goals in the Bundesliga last season but still managed to net 55 themselves. Their pre-season form has been encouraging, winning five out of six and scoring freely.

With both sides likely to rotate their squads and prioritise attacking rhythm, this match could produce a flurry of goals.

Best bet – Over 3.5 goals

✅ Birmingham City vs Ipswich Town

Tyler Morris; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:

Birmingham return to the Championship after a record-breaking League One title campaign, and they face an Ipswich side who are back in the second tier after a rough ride in the Premier League. This opener looks well-matched and should be full of energy and attacking chances.

Birmingham were superb at home last season, remaining unbeaten at St Andrew’s and scoring regularly. With Jay Stansfield returning up front and new arrivals like Demarai Gray and Tommy Doyle, the Blues have enough to make an immediate impact.

Ipswich, however, have won four straight pre-season games and look ready to push for promotion again. Their front four of Szmodics, Hirst, Philogene and Clarke offers plenty of movement and threat.

Given both teams’ pre-season scoring form and the need for a positive start, goals should flow. But with Birmingham’s record at home and added quality, they may just edge it.

Best bet – Birmingham to win and over 2.5 goals

🧲 Friday Super Double

To round out today’s action, here’s a Daily Super Double – two standout picks with excellent value that differ from the ones above.

• ✅ Sporting Lisbon to win to nil vs Casa Pia
• ✅ Brentford vs Monchengladbach – Both Teams to Score

This double combines Sporting’s defensive strength with Brentford’s high-scoring tendencies. Casa Pia often struggle against top sides, and Brentford’s game should see both teams netting based on recent attacking trends.

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