Top football tips for Wednesday: Back Shaqiri, Dennis, Burstow and Pavlidis in today’s expert selections. Our writers deliver their top bets and a Super Double. Read on to view the full analysis…
Let’s now dive into the top football tips of the day.
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📊 Three Key Stats Behind Today’s Picks
- Benfica have scored in every game this season without conceding.
- Shrewsbury are yet to score in League Two this campaign.
- Basel have progressed from four of their last five Champions League play-off ties.
Basel vs Copenhagen
Linus Bergström; European football writer at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Basel’s Champions League dream is back on track after their long-awaited domestic title triumph last season, and they will be eager to use home advantage when facing Copenhagen. The Swiss outfit have often needed strong performances at St Jakob-Park to make European progress, and their home victories against Astana and Shakhter Karagandy in previous qualifiers underline this point.
Ludovic Magnin’s side have won both of their league fixtures at home this season, and their morale was lifted further by a 6-1 Swiss Cup victory at the weekend. Xherdan Shaqiri is the clear focal point, having scored and assisted in that win, and his ability to change games through set pieces and individual skill will be vital. Copenhagen are well-drilled defensively and arrive unbeaten in nine away matches, but their lack of big-game spark on the road could hurt them here.
Best bet – Xherdan Shaqiri to score anytime
Over 2.5 goals | |
2/9 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Bayern’s attack remains ruthless, and Leipzig’s defence looks fragile without Šeško’s pressing up front. Expect Kane and company to deliver in a fixture that rarely stays quiet. Over 2.5 goals is the sensible play. | |
Bolton Wanderers vs Reading
Herrin Kendrick; Betting journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Bolton Wanderers are chasing promotion this season and are keen to rediscover momentum after a mixed start. Their pre-season was faultless, but early inconsistency in competitive games has left supporters frustrated. At the same time, Reading’s dreadful start—three consecutive league defeats—has seen them rooted to the bottom of the table. Noel Hunt’s men are yet to find fluency, while their defence has been breached repeatedly. Mason Burstow, starting as Bolton’s central striker, is central to their hopes.
His movement across the frontline and eye for goal should trouble Reading’s patched-up backline, which is missing several key players. With Joel Randall and Josh Sheehan offering creativity behind him, Burstow is in the right environment to find his first league goal of the campaign.
Best bet – Mason Burstow to score anytime
Bristol City to win | |
11/8 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Derby have goals in them but leak far too many. Bristol City are disciplined under Struber and carry a strong away record. With Derby’s defence exposed again, Bristol City are fancied to win. | |
Notts County vs Shrewsbury Town
Steve Harrington; EFL specialist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Notts County’s return to League Two has started slowly, with Martin Paterson’s side failing to record a win in their opening fixtures. However, their recent signing Matthew Dennis has offered promise, scoring on his debut in a narrow defeat at Barrow. With Jodi Jones and Conor Grant providing supply lines, Dennis should continue to get chances.
Shrewsbury, meanwhile, have failed to score in their first three league outings and remain reliant on experienced forwards John Marquis and George Lloyd, neither of whom has looked sharp so far. Michael Appleton’s side also struggle defensively, conceding nine goals across four matches, and suspensions add to their difficulties. Given their frailties at both ends of the pitch, Notts County have the greater attacking edge, particularly through Dennis, who is already settling in quickly.
Best bet – Notts County to win
PSG to win to nil | |
4/5 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning PSG’s quality across the pitch dwarfs Angers, who arrive without key midfielders. Dembélé now leads the attack, and with Paris dominant at home, a routine win without conceding looks the standout call. | |
Fenerbahce vs Benfica
Wolfgang Shotten; European football columnist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
The clash in Istanbul between Fenerbahce and Benfica promises to be one of the most intriguing ties of the play-off round. Jose Mourinho’s side squeezed through against Feyenoord, but they remain defensively fragile and overly reliant on moments of attacking brilliance. Benfica, in contrast, are structured and in form, having won four straight matches without conceding.
Bruno Lage has them organised across midfield and lethal in attack. Vangelis Pavlidis, who hit 30 goals last season, already looks sharp with two strikes this term and is once again expected to lead the line. His instinct inside the box and ability to find space will be critical against a Fener defence missing Rodrigo Becao. With Franjo Ivanovic providing additional threat, Benfica should have the firepower to take an advantage home, even if they’ve never previously won in Istanbul.
Best bet – Vangelis Pavlidis to score anytime
Joao Pedro to score anytime | |
6/4 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning West Ham look fragile without Kudus, while Chelsea boast superior depth. Joao Pedro loves this fixture, scoring six against the Hammers in his career, and he is well placed to strike again. | |
🧲 Wednesday Super Double
Feeling brave? Try our Daily Super Double, combining two alternative bets from today’s featured matches:
- Selection 1: Basel to win vs Copenhagen
- Selection 2: Over 2.5 goals in Fenerbahce vs Benfica
Rationale:
Combining Basel’s strong home form with the attacking potential of Fenerbahce and Benfica creates a high-value double. The Swiss champions rarely slip up at St Jakob-Park, while the Turkish and Portuguese sides both favour attacking football, making a goal-heavy encounter highly likely in Istanbul.
Friday’s Super Double | |
7/1 - odds when tipped | |
Reasoning Kane thrives at the Allianz Arena and should get plenty of chances against a leaky Leipzig defence. Meanwhile, Derby and Bristol City both carry attacking threat but struggle defensively, making goals likely at Pride Park. This double focuses on goals and Bayern’s talisman to deliver at short odds. | |
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