Football Bet of the Day for Friday: LAFC vs Esperance betting tips, with Giroud at the heart of our top selection.
One of our trusted experts, known for his deep knowledge of European football, has picked this game as Today’s Best Bet, and the selection makes plenty of sense.
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⚽ Football Bet of the Day
Los Angeles FC vs Esperance Tunis
Steve Harrington; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Partick Thistle -1 Handicap | |
7/4 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Out of all Friday’s football fixtures, this clash stands out not because of high-profile teams, but because of the imbalance in preparation and squad strength. Partick Thistle are well drilled, experienced, and motivated. Edinburgh City are rebuilding and facing a tough ask to stay competitive here.
The -1 handicap gives you much better value than a straight win and is still rooted in strong likelihood. Whether it’s Lawless, Diack, or Ashcroft popping up on the scoresheet, expect a commanding display from the visitors. | |
🧠 Why You Should Back This Tip
- Giroud has scored in six of his last ten club starts across all competitions.
- Esperance have conceded in three of their last five games when playing outside Tunisia.
- LAFC are unbeaten in eight of their last nine matches when Giroud plays 60+ minutes.
Rationale:
Friday’s early hours bring a do-or-die encounter in Group D of the Club World Cup, as Los Angeles FC take on Esperance Tunis at Geodis Park. Both sides are coming off identical 2-0 defeats—LAFC at the hands of Chelsea, and Esperance falling to Flamengo. For both, this represents not only a second chance but perhaps their final shot at progression.
LAFC’s introduction to the competition has already carried a touch of drama. Handed a berth due to Leon’s disqualification, the Californians earned their place by edging Club America in a last-minute playoff. That dramatic rise set expectations high, yet their debut performance against Chelsea saw them exposed, especially after conceding in the 34th minute. Still, Steve Cherundolo’s men showed structure, resilience, and moments of promise.
The big news, however, revolves around personnel. With young forward David Martinez ruled out due to injury and Olivier Giroud expected to start, the former World Cup winner suddenly finds himself as the spearhead of LAFC’s attack. At 38, Giroud’s legs may have slowed, but his instincts remain razor-sharp. His aerial ability, intelligent movement, and strength in hold-up play are perfectly suited to a side looking for composure in the final third.
And against Esperance, the opportunity is ripe. While the Tunisian side arrived boasting an eleven-match unbeaten streak and a superb defensive record (nine clean sheets in that spell), their performance against Flamengo exposed key flaws. They lacked cohesion in midfield and were often slow to react to movement in and around the box. Flamengo’s goals weren’t flukes—they were crafted through sharp runs, cutbacks, and exploiting gaps between the lines.
Esperance also offered little going forward, managing just one shot on target—an effort that didn’t arrive until the 67th minute. Maher Kanzari’s side looked fatigued and reactive, and that’s not the mentality required when facing a team playing with urgency.
LAFC, on the other hand, are desperate. They know that only a win will realistically keep their knockout hopes alive before facing Flamengo. Expect them to come out aggressively, looking to impose themselves from the first whistle. With Bouanga on the flank providing pace and trickery, and Tillman pulling strings in midfield, Giroud should see plenty of service.
Furthermore, his experience in these types of pressure matches—having scored in Champions League knockouts, World Cups, and top-flight derbies—makes him a reliable option when the stakes are high. Against a defence that includes Marcos Meriah and Mohamed Amine, both of whom were caught flat-footed against Flamengo, Giroud will fancy his chances from crosses and set pieces.
His impact off the bench versus Chelsea was understated but noticeable. He held the ball up, linked play, and provided a focal point LAFC lacked in the first hour. Now likely to lead the line from kick-off, the former Milan and Arsenal man could be the difference in a match where margins will be tight but decisive.
🎯 Best Bet – Olivier Giroud to Score Anytime
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