Top football tips for Thursday: Thursday’s continental fixtures serve up an enticing mix of European qualifiers and domestic silverware showdowns. From the Europa League to the Super Cup, our experts at BettingTips4You have scoured the markets to deliver four standout selections for today’s action. Backed by team news, tactical angles and statistical trends, these are the bets we’re most confident in for Thursday’s card.
We’ve assigned each bet to one of our specialists — with nationalities and regional expertise in mind — and broken down the logic behind every pick. Whether you’re looking for BTTS value, outright winners or goals, our Thursday list ticks every box.
Let’s 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; 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 |
Hibernian vs FC Midtjylland
Expert: Herrin Kendrick; Senior Writer at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
With the first leg ending 1-1 in Denmark, this Europa League tie is wide open. However, Midtjylland arrive in sharper condition, with two domestic league matches already under their belt and 11 goals scored across those fixtures. In contrast, Hibs are still playing catch-up in terms of match fitness and sharpness, having only just returned to competitive action.
Hibs will likely look to feed off the Easter Road crowd, but injuries to key players like Lewis Miller and Joe Newell reduce their options in central areas and out wide. Although they are hard to beat at home, Hibernian have often struggled against slicker, more clinical opponents.
Midtjylland’s attack, spearheaded by Franculino Dju, looks particularly threatening. The 21-year-old has scored five in his last two domestic appearances and looks eager to make his mark on the European stage. We expect both sides to score, but the Danes should ultimately edge it.
Best bet – Midtjylland to win and BTTS
Midtjylland to win and BTTS | |
11/5 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Midtjylland arrive with serious momentum after a 6-2 weekend win and will fancy themselves in Edinburgh. Hibs have home form on their side but are missing key players. Franculino's red-hot form could be the difference. Both sides should score, but the visitors’ edge in quality makes them our pick to win. | |
Sporting Lisbon vs Benfica
Expert: Wolfgang Shotten; Portuguese Football Analyst at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Benfica enter the Portuguese Super Cup eager to begin the new season with a statement. Although Sporting did the double over their Lisbon rivals last season, they’re without Viktor Gyökeres, who has joined Arsenal. His absence leaves a significant void in the attack, and they’ve yet to replace him properly.
Benfica, by contrast, have strengthened with smart summer signings like Amar Dedić and Richard Rios. Their recent 3-2 friendly win over Fenerbahçe suggests they’re ready to hit the ground running. Manager Bruno Lage will be determined to lift the first trophy on offer, particularly after falling short in last season’s cup final.
Sporting have won just one Super Cup in the past ten years and haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last six matches against top-tier opposition. Expect Benfica to take advantage of an unsettled defence and lay down an early season marker with a narrow win.
Best bet – Benfica to win
Benfica to win | |
9/5 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Sporting’s attack is weakened without Gyökeres, while Benfica look strong after an encouraging pre-season. With reinforcements in midfield and experience across the back line, the Eagles should be better prepared. Sporting have a poor Super Cup record, and Benfica are primed to capitalise on early-season uncertainties in Borges’ side. | |
Linfield vs FK Zalgiris
Expert: Tyler Morris; Northern Europe Football Specialist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
The goalless first leg might suggest a low-scoring affair, but both teams had opportunities in Lithuania, and the return leg at Windsor Park should be more expansive. Linfield know they must push for a win, and their attacking setup will reflect that.
However, Zalgiris have pace and composure in transition and could thrive on the counter. The Lithuanian outfit’s defensive strength at home hasn’t translated to away ties — they’ve conceded in ten of their last twelve European games outside their own ground.
Meanwhile, Linfield’s European record is shaky, with just two wins in their last eleven qualifying matches. Given the stakes, this could become an end-to-end contest. Expect both sides to show urgency from the off, especially if there’s an early goal. With fatigue, pressure, and defensive gaps all likely factors, this game has the potential to turn chaotic.
Best bet – Over 2.5 Goals
Over 2.5 Goals | |
23/20 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning The scoreless first leg masked what was a lively contest. Linfield will open up at home, and Zalgiris can exploit the space. Neither defence is entirely convincing, and with qualification on the line, we expect goals at both ends. Three or more goals looks a strong shout under the Windsor Park lights. | |
Legia Warsaw vs Banik Ostrava
Expert: Linus Bergström; Central & Eastern Europe Reporter at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Legia showed both attacking potency and vulnerability in the first leg, where they came from behind twice to draw 2-2. At home, they’re usually formidable, having won four of their last five in all competitions. They’ve also scored multiple goals in three of their last five matches this term.
Banik have issues at the back, conceding nine goals in five recent outings, and they’ve only kept one clean sheet this season. They’re capable of nicking a goal through Filip Kubala or Erik Prekop, but their defence is unlikely to withstand the pressure Legia can produce on home soil.
Legia’s dynamic trio of Chodyna, Morishita, and Shkurin is expected to lead the attack again, and with midfield control from Kapustka and Augustyniak, they should generate enough chances to put the game beyond reach. Still, a goal for the visitors wouldn’t be a surprise.
Best bet – Legia Warsaw to win and Over 2.5 Goals
Legia Warsaw to win and Over 2.5 Goals | |
21/20 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Legia have been free-scoring but leaky, which sets this up for another open contest. Banik are poor defensively and inconsistent on the road, making Legia strong favourites. With both teams likely to create chances and the hosts pushing forward aggressively, three or more goals combined with a home win makes sense. | |
🧲 Thursday Super Double
- Both Teams to Score – Hibernian vs Midtjylland
- Benfica to Score in Both Halves – Sporting vs Benfica
Rationale of the Double:
Franculino and Boyle give both teams a cutting edge in Edinburgh, and with both sides likely to attack, goals at each end seem probable. In Lisbon, Benfica’s tempo and movement could see them score in both halves, especially against a Sporting defence missing several key names and struggling for rhythm.
Thursday’s Super Double | |
5/1 - odds when tipped | |
Reasoning Franculino and Boyle give both teams a cutting edge in Edinburgh, and with both sides likely to attack, goals at each end seem probable. In Lisbon, Benfica’s tempo and movement could see them score in both halves, especially against a Sporting defence missing several key names and struggling for rhythm. | |
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.
