Top football tips for Saturday: The weekend football calendar is packed, and our team of experts have sifted through the fixtures to bring you Saturday’s most confident betting selections. From the Championship to League Two, these four picks combine strong statistical trends with in-depth match analysis to deliver value in today’s markets.
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 |
📊 Three Key Stats Behind Today’s Picks
- West Brom have scored in their last seven home games against Blackburn.
- Oxford have seen three or more goals in four of their last five matches.
- Crawley have kept just two clean sheets in their last 15 home league games.
Middlesbrough vs Swansea City
John Pentin; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Middlesbrough open the Championship season eager to erase memories of last year’s late fade, when a promising spring run dissolved into mid-table obscurity. New boss Rob Edwards is looking to reintroduce intensity, but a few positions still lack depth, including in goal where Seny Dieng is absent. Even so, the Riverside crowd should drive a proactive approach.
Swansea, under Alan Sheehan, are at the beginning of a new cycle themselves. Recruitment has been limited, but Kaelan Casey’s arrival adds youthful energy at the back. The Swans’ problem last year was a lack of cutting edge, yet they still managed to trouble most defences with their fluid forward play.
With both sides pushing for early points, and neither looking defensively perfect, goals in both directions seem more likely than a cagey stalemate.
Best bet – Both Teams To Score
Both Teams To Score | |
17/20 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Boro’s home intent and Swansea’s ability to create even without a star striker make for an open contest. Defensive uncertainties on both sides point towards each team having enough to score at least once. | |
Oxford United vs Portsmouth
Steve Harrington; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Oxford will want to build on last year’s successful survival campaign, and their summer signings show a clear desire to improve. The 3-0 pre-season victory over Malaga demonstrated they can be clinical when chances arrive. However, defensive absences could be an issue, with several key men missing through injury.
Portsmouth arrive in good spirits after a flawless pre-season of five wins and a draw. Despite Colby Bishop’s absence, Pompey possess attacking threats from midfield and wide positions, and John Mousinho has instilled resilience since their rocky start last season. Their unbeaten record in the last seven meetings with Oxford will only add to their confidence.
Oxford are strong at home, Pompey are in scoring form, and recent history suggests a close game where both sides find the net before the final whistle.
Best bet – Over 2.5 Goals
Over 2.5 Goals | |
6/5 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Both sides possess attacking weapons and have recent form that leans towards high-scoring affairs. Oxford’s injuries at the back and Portsmouth’s forward momentum set the scene for a game with at least three goals. | |
West Bromwich Albion vs Blackburn Rovers
Herrin Kendrick; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
West Brom start another Championship season intent on breaking their play-off near-miss pattern. Ryan Mason’s men have added minimal new faces but retain a core that knows the league well. At the Hawthorns, they are expected to take the initiative, with Aune Heggebo providing a fresh option up front.
Blackburn have been difficult opponents for the Baggies in recent years, losing just one of their last seven meetings. Valerien Ismael’s side can play with purpose in possession and carry a constant goal threat through Makhtar Gueye. However, defensive injuries mean they could be exposed if West Brom sustain pressure.
Both teams have attacking weapons and a history of lively head-to-head clashes. That blend makes it tough to see either keeping a clean sheet here.
Best bet – Both Teams To Score
Both Teams To Score | |
11/10 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning This fixture has produced regular goals, and both sides enter with strong attacking options. With neither defence at full strength, the chance of both teams scoring feels high. | |
Crawley Town vs Newport County
Linus Bergström; Sports journalist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Crawley were humbled on the opening day by Grimsby, conceding three without reply. Scott Lindsey’s side have attacking ability, particularly through Tshimanga, but their defensive weaknesses from last season’s relegation are still apparent. Playing at home should prompt a positive response in forward areas.
Newport showed grit in their league opener against Notts County and already have a cup win over Barnet in their early-season record. New arrival Ged Garner looks a capable finisher, and the team’s midfield can produce chances from open play and set-pieces.
With both sides eager to kickstart their campaigns and defences that can be breached, a game with goals at both ends seems the most plausible outcome.
Best bet – Both Teams To Score
Both Teams To Score | |
8/11 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning Crawley’s attacking intent and Newport’s recent scoring form point towards goals. Neither defence has looked solid, so chances for both are likely in what should be a lively League Two fixture. | |
🧲 Saturday Super Double
Two different selections from today’s list:
- Middlesbrough to Win (vs Swansea City) – Expect Boro’s home advantage and new manager bounce to tilt the game.
- Oxford United Draw No Bet (vs Portsmouth) – Strong home record and recent attacking performances give them a chance to edge a tight contest.
Acca Rationale:
Combining Middlesbrough’s potential under Edwards at home with Oxford’s ability to frustrate a strong Portsmouth side offers a balanced double. Both selections avoid excessive risk yet retain value, capitalising on home advantage and early-season motivation.
Saturday’s Super Double | |
3/1 - odds when tipped | |
Reasoning Combining Middlesbrough’s potential under Edwards at home with Oxford’s ability to frustrate a strong Portsmouth side offers a balanced double. Both selections avoid excessive risk yet retain value, capitalising on home advantage and early-season motivation. | |
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.
