We’ve called in four of our sharpest minds at BettingTips4You to break down the very best of Thursday’s football action across Europe and England. From domestic pressure to Champions League drama, each expert has picked one match and given a detailed insight into where the value lies. Here’s our handpicked quartet of selections.
Let’s dive into today’s best four tips, each backed by rationale and built for punters looking for edge and insight on this action-packed evening.
Backed by form analysis, tactical insight, and detailed stats, these tips are crafted to give you the edge when placing your Monday wagers.
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. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via 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 & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply. | 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. 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 | 18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 at odds 2.00+ within 10 days, no cashout. Get 6x £5 Free Bets, set events at odds 2.00+. 7 day bonus expiry. T&C’s Apply. gambleaware.org | Please Gamble Responsibly. 18+ | GambleAware | #Ad |
Barcelona vs Osasuna
Herrin Kendrick; Spanish Football Analyst at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Barcelona’s relentless march continues, and they look well-positioned to stretch their unbeaten league run to 19 games on Thursday night. Hansi Flick’s side are level with Real Madrid at the top and have the added incentive of a game in hand – one they’ll be desperate to convert into a lead. Their recent performances, including a wild 4-2 comeback against Atletico and a controlled 4-0 win over Real Sociedad, highlight their firepower and composure.
At Camp Nou, they’ve been ruthless, winning their last four home league meetings with Osasuna without letting in a single goal. Lewandowski is back among the goals, and youngsters like Yamal and Fermin López are thriving in Flick’s system. Osasuna, meanwhile, are wobbling. A six-game winless streak, a suspension for Lucas Torro, and possible absences in defence suggest they’re arriving at the worst possible time.
Barcelona, driven by the title race and attacking momentum, should cruise past the -2 handicap line.
Best Bet – Barcelona -2 Handicap
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.
| |
Leyton Orient vs Stevenage
Tyler Morris; EFL Specialist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Leyton Orient’s League One revival came to life again last weekend with a gritty win away at Blackpool. Their top scorer Charlie Kelman notched twice in that 2-1 victory, ending a grim run of defeats. With five of their next fixtures coming against lower-placed sides, Richie Wellens’s team know this is their moment to mount a play-off push.
Stevenage’s season has fizzled out after a promising spell. Winless in four, they’ve now failed to score in eight of their last 11 meetings with the O’s. Their most creative outlet, Dan Kemp, has gone cold in recent weeks, and they’ll be without suspended Daniel Phillips. Historically, Brisbane Road hasn’t been the happiest hunting ground for the visitors – although they did edge a cup tie here in January, league form paints a very different picture.
Back Orient to continue their resurgence by winning with a goal to spare.
Best Bet – Leyton Orient -1 Handicap
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.
| |
Chelsea Women vs Manchester City Women
Steve Harrington; Women’s Football Expert at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Chelsea’s fightback against Manchester City at the weekend showed exactly why they remain England’s dominant women’s side. Despite being two goals down on aggregate in Europe, Bompastor’s Blues will believe they can turn the tie around – especially with their remarkable home record: 16 wins from 16 competitive games under her management.
City are depleted. Key attackers like Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp are out, as is defensive leader Alex Greenwood. That showed in the league reverse against Chelsea, where they crumbled late on. The visitors do have Vivianne Miedema in form, but one player alone is unlikely to carry them through such a hostile environment, especially with tired legs and injuries piling up.
Expect Chelsea to take the game by the scruff and push for a commanding home win, covering the -1 line.
Best Bet – Chelsea Women -1 Handicap
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.
| |
Barcelona Women vs Wolfsburg Women
Wolfgang Shotten; European Football Specialist at BettingTips4You
Rationale:
Barcelona Women’s European pedigree has been unquestionable in recent seasons, and their first-leg hammering of Wolfsburg in Germany all but sealed another semi-final place. Despite a stumble in El Clasico at the weekend, their focus returns to the Champions League – and they’ll be eager to show why they’re still the side to beat.
The Blaugrana’s 4-1 first-leg triumph was built on fluid movement, pressing, and variety in attack. Wolfsburg have serious issues, with injuries to key defenders and limited attacking depth. They’ve also managed just one win in five away games – a dreadful omen ahead of a trip to face a Barcelona side that crushed them 5-1 here in 2022.
The Spanish champions will likely start fast and put this tie beyond all doubt early. Another convincing home win looks very likely.
Best Bet – Barcelona Women -2 Handicap
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
Today’s Best Two-Selection Acca (Different Markets):
- Barcelona vs Osasuna – Over 3.5 Goals
- Leyton Orient vs Stevenage – Charlie Kelman to Score Anytime
Barcelona are scoring freely and could put three or four past Osasuna alone. With their defensive absentees, the visitors might even sneak a goal to help push the total over the line. In London, Charlie Kelman is in red-hot form for Orient and will fancy his chances against a shaky Stevenage backline.
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. | |
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.
