Top football tips for Sunday: Expert predictions on Villa vs Palace, Dortmund vs Union Berlin, Brighton vs Man City and Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano. Read on to view today’s betting tips and reasoning and also take advantage of the best betting offers available.
Let’s now dive into the top football tips of the day.
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. Select bonus at signup or use code SPORT. Wager deposit & bonus 8x. Max qualifying bet = bonus. Valid 60 days. Odds, bet & payment limits apply. T&Cs Apply; 18+ | Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org |
📊 Three Key Stats Behind Today’s Picks
- Villa have failed to score in three straight league games for the first time since 1997.
- Barcelona have conceded in each of their last seven away trips to Rayo Vallecano.
- Dortmund have scored three or more in six consecutive Bundesliga home fixtures.
Borussia Dortmund vs Union Berlin
Wolfgang Shotten; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Dortmund have started the season in their usual fashion: plenty of attacking threat but defensive questions that refuse to go away. At Signal Iduna Park, they have been relentless in front of goal, scoring three or more in six straight league matches. Union Berlin, however, are rarely an easy assignment; they are well-drilled, organised, and carry an aerial threat that unsettles most opponents.
While Dortmund should be expected to dominate the ball and create numerous chances, Union will almost certainly get opportunities on the break and from set pieces. Recent meetings have seen goals flow at both ends, with Union showing they can hurt Dortmund when space opens up. Given the attacking power in both camps and the lack of consistent defensive structure, this feels like a classic Bundesliga clash where chances fall freely.
Best bet – Both Teams to Score
Under 2.5 goals | |
4/9 - odds when tipped | |
Reasoning Both Gimnasia’s lack of goals and Tucuman’s poor away record suggest another tight contest. Injuries reduce attacking quality, while history points to cagey outcomes in La Plata. A low total of goals feels the standout angle, with under 2.5 offering value given the trends. |
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
Herrin Kendrick; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Aston Villa’s struggles in front of goal continue, with Unai Emery’s side now three league matches without scoring. Despite that, their home record is formidable: 19 unbeaten in the Premier League at Villa Park. Palace arrive with momentum, still undefeated in 13 competitive games. Oliver Glasner’s team are not free-scoring, but they are tight defensively and dangerous on the counter, particularly with Ismaila Sarr’s pace. With both attacks finding it difficult to sustain pressure, this contest looks set to be tactical, cagey and short on clear-cut chances. The draw becomes a realistic outcome, especially given Villa’s need to avoid another setback and Palace’s tendency to shut games down when travelling.
Best bet – Draw
Draw | |
7/4 - odds when tipped | |
Reasoning This match pits Huesca’s compact defence against Eibar’s attacking width. Both teams have identical starts and a history of evenly split encounters. A low-risk, strategic clash is on the cards, making the draw the value selection. |
Brighton vs Manchester City
John Pentin; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Manchester City must respond to their shock home defeat against Tottenham, but they remain one of the league’s most ruthless sides. Erling Haaland is set to make his 100th Premier League appearance, and City rarely go two games without a strong attacking response. Brighton, meanwhile, can be expansive, especially at home, and their defensive record has looked fragile in recent weeks. That combination makes an open game likely. City’s quality in possession should carve out several scoring chances, but Brighton’s style of play means they can still nick a goal, particularly through Kaoru Mitoma. The balance of play suggests that goals will be the story of the evening at the Amex.
Best bet – Over 3.5 Goals
Deportivo Double Chance (Win or Draw) | |
4/7 - odds when tipped | |
Reasoning Leganes’ stuttering start contrasts with Deportivo’s lively return to the Segunda. The hosts remain functional but blunt in attack, while the visitors’ confidence and balance suggest they can claim at least a point. The double chance market looks the sensible play in this context. |
Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona
Linus Bergström; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Barcelona have looked ruthless in La Liga so far, sweeping aside early opposition while finding balance in midfield and attack. Rayo Vallecano, however, are no strangers to troubling the Catalan giants; they have scored in their last seven home meetings with Barça. Fatigue may also play a role for Rayo, coming off a midweek European tie, but their home crowd gives them a lift. Barça should have too much attacking firepower over the 90 minutes, yet Rayo’s resilience suggests they can find the net. The combination points towards a high-scoring away win.
Best bet – Barcelona to Win and Both Teams to Score
Platense to Win | |
13/10 - odds when tipped | |
Reasoning Platense’s home strength contrasts starkly with Godoy Cruz’s dire run. The hosts defend brilliantly, while the visitors cannot score or stop conceding. With injuries adding to Cruz’s woes, Platense’s fortress record makes them the clear value pick for a home victory. |
🧲 Saturday Super Double
Borussia Dortmund to Win (vs Union Berlin)
Over 2.5 Goals (Lyon vs Marseille)
Rationale:
Dortmund’s home form makes them reliable favourites against Union, while Ligue 1 meetings between Lyon and Marseille consistently deliver goals. Combining a home win with an over-goals outcome creates an appealing Sunday double that blends statistical support with strong form indicators.
Monday’s Super Double | |
3/1 - odds when tipped | |
Reasoning Pairing the draw in La Plata with under 2.5 goals in Huesca creates a strong value double. Both matches feature evenly matched sides and clear patterns of low scoring. Combining these cautious angles reflects the tactical realities and recent results, offering a sensible and data-backed daily double. |
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.