Friday’s top football tips include Brentford’s attacking strength, Rennes’ home dominance, and Burnley’s rock-solid defence. Read on for betting insights and predictions for today’s key fixtures. Get the latest insights and best bets now!
Let’s take a closer look at today’s top football predictions.
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Bristol City vs Middlesbrough
John Pentin; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale
Middlesbrough’s struggles in recent weeks have piled pressure on manager Michael Carrick, and a trip to Ashton Gate is unlikely to ease their woes. Boro have been on a dismal run, losing six of their last seven matches in all competitions, and their confidence appears to be at an all-time low.
Bristol City, on the other hand, have been much more stable. They are unbeaten in their last six encounters with Middlesbrough, winning four of them, and their home form has been particularly strong. Liam Manning’s side are just outside the playoff places and will be determined to push further up the table. Given that Bristol City have scored at least twice in five of their last six meetings with Middlesbrough, another home win looks the most likely outcome.
With Boro’s defensive issues and recent string of poor results, Bristol City should be able to exploit their weaknesses and claim a vital victory. A 2-1 scoreline in favour of the home side appears a probable outcome.
Best Bet – Bristol City to Win
Benfica to score over 2.5 goals | |
29/20 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Benfica have netted three or more in five of their last six Primeira Liga games and face a Gil Vicente team on a seven-game winless streak. The visitors boast far superior quality and form, and another high-scoring performance should be on the cards against a defence struggling for structure and confidence.
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Leicester City vs Brentford
Steve Harrington; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale
Leicester’s struggles at home have been glaring, with five consecutive league defeats at the King Power Stadium. Their inability to keep clean sheets, combined with a lack of attacking sharpness, has left them deep in the relegation battle.
Brentford, by contrast, have shown impressive away form recently, winning their last three matches on the road. Thomas Frank’s men are well-organised and capable of punishing teams who leave gaps at the back. Kevin Schade has been a key figure, and having already netted a hat-trick against Leicester earlier in the season, he could pose a serious threat once again.
With Leicester’s fragile defence and Brentford’s efficiency in front of goal, the visitors should be able to create chances and find the net multiple times. Backing Brentford to score at least twice seems a sensible pick, given their recent goal-scoring exploits away from home.
Best Bet – Brentford Over 1.5 Goals
Lyon to win | |
6/4 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Lyon are unbeaten in their last six and full of attacking threat, while Strasbourg’s strong run has largely come against weaker sides. Given Lyon’s historical dominance and recent form, especially from Cherki and Mikautadze, the visitors should edge this contest even against one of Ligue 1’s most organised defensive units.
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Rennes vs Reims
Wolfgang Shotten; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale
Rennes have had a mixed campaign, but they will be confident going into this match against a struggling Reims side. The visitors have been winless in their last nine matches and have failed to score in their last three outings, highlighting their issues in the final third.
At home, Rennes have historically dominated this fixture, winning their last two meetings at Roazhon Park while scoring three times on each occasion. Despite a recent defeat to Lille, they had previously secured back-to-back wins, demonstrating their ability to grind out results.
Reims, on the other hand, have been completely out of form and lacking creativity. Their inability to find the net recently is a major concern, and against a Rennes side that can be dangerous at home, they may struggle once again. Given Reims’ goal-scoring issues and Rennes’ solid home record, backing the hosts to win is the smart choice.
Best Bet – Rennes to Win
Under 2.5 goals | |
8/11 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Tranmere have become more difficult to break down under new management, while Cheltenham’s recent form has tailed off. With both sides struggling for attacking fluency and favouring cautious approaches, a tight encounter is expected at Prenton Park, making a low goal count the most likely scenario in this League Two clash.
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Burnley vs Sheffield Wednesday
Gram Dodd; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale
Burnley have been a defensive powerhouse in the Championship, going 11 matches without conceding a goal. Their unbeaten run now stretches to 22 matches, and they remain firmly in the race for automatic promotion.
Sheffield Wednesday, meanwhile, have struggled against Burnley in recent encounters. They have failed to score more than one goal in any of their last seven meetings with the Clarets, and another frustrating night could be on the cards. When these sides met earlier this season, Burnley claimed a comfortable 2-0 win, and given their defensive stability, a similar low-scoring result is likely.
Wednesday have found the net in each of their last six matches, but their last blank came against Leeds, one of the league’s best defensive units. Burnley’s backline is even more disciplined, so another clean sheet for the Clarets looks highly probable. Expect a controlled performance from Scott Parker’s side, with a 1-0 victory looking the best option.
Best Bet – Under 1.5 Goals
Under 2.5 goals | |
4/55 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning With promotion pressure mounting, both teams are likely to play cautiously. Sheffield United have made a habit of narrow wins, while Coventry are missing key midfielders. This clash has the feel of a gritty, tactical battle where one goal could settle it, making a low-scoring encounter the most probable outcome. | |
Thursday’s Super Double
For those lookFor those looking to place a Daily Super Double, we recommend:
- Bristol City vs Middlesbrough – Over 2.5 Goals
- Burnley vs Sheffield Wednesday – Burnley to Win to Nil
This combination takes advantage of Bristol City’s strong attacking record against Middlesbrough, while Burnley’s defensive dominance makes them a strong pick for another clean-sheet victory.
Friday’s Super Double | |
2/1 - odds when tipped | |
Reasoning Benfica’s defensive improvements and Gil Vicente’s goal drought point to a comfortable win without reply, while Lyon’s attacking sharpness and Strasbourg’s recent habit of conceding late goals suggest a lively affair in France. Combining these two plays offers value from contrasting angles—dominance in one, end-to-end excitement in the other. | |
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