football | Monday, February 6, 2023 2:34 PM (Revised at: Monday, February 6, 2023 2:35 PM)

Early Bird Best Bets Feb 10th-11th: Three Early Picks to Find Value this Weekend

Sam Ingram

Early Bird Best Bets: 10th-11th February

From footballing hubs in Austria to the south of France, before ending our Early Bird journey in a Championship fixture that will have ramifications at either end of the table – three picks to consider for next weekend.

In this article:

Cardiff vs Middlesbrough Preview & Best Bet
OGC Nice vs AC Ajaccio Preview & Best Bet
Wolfsberger vs WSG Tirol Preview & Best Bet

Cardiff vs Middlesbrough Preview

England, Championship, February 11th, 15:00 (UK)

A Chuba Akpom-inspired, Michael Carrick-led Middlesbrough victory – something that has reared its head with regularity in recent months – downed Mick McCarthy’s Blackpool at the weekend. It was quite convincing, as the 3-0 scoreline shows, following up the 2-0 win over Watford a week before.

Akpom also opened the scoring against The Hornets with just four more minutes on the clock after the Blackpool opener that was caressed past Chris Maxwell a week later. The once Hale End youth product continues to kick on in Boro red, with his 16-goal haul this season now four adrift of Coventry’s Viktor Gyökeres.

The striker is just one of many at the Riverside strutting his stuff at a level that looks destined to warrant a shot at promotion when the time comes.

This is a division that has an unforgiving inconsistency in terms of results. We see as much every weekend. Nothing is a given in the second tier, which is one reason why we love it. But siding with Boro’s purple patch is an attractive enough proposition with the prospect of half stakes returned for a draw.

Cardiff vs Middlesbrough Best Bet

Cardiff City haven’t won in eleven matches. Their trajectory is a damning one. Two 1-0 losses make up Sabri Lamouchi’s two matches as the new Cardiff boss, who spoke after the defeat to Hull and said, “We have to panic. We’re in this shit position, and we need to work together to get out of this position.”

In truth, I like Lamouchi, and I think he’ll provide a good enough footing to steer Cardiff from relegation. But coming up against Boro so early in his tenure will prove difficult. As we can lock in a reasonable price with the draw returns offering some reassurance, it’s one to consider for Carrick’s rampant bunch from North East England.

Selection: -0.25 Middlesbrough Asian Handicap (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 1.83 (bet365)
Stakes: 10/10

More Cardiff vs Middlesbrough Tips

OGC Nice vs AC Ajaccio Preview

France, Ligue 1, Friday, February 10th, 20:00 (UK)

Since taking the reins in the south of France, Didier Digard can boast four wins from his opening five matches. That’s a return he would have dreamed of before entering the dugout. Yet, it gets better.

On paper, the run of matches that Digard was facing to open his managerial career was one that would send a shudder down the most experienced of head coaches. Nevertheless, victories against Montpellier, Lille, Lens and most recently, Marseille underline just how receptive this talented Nice squad has been since the start of January.

Whether this dominating stretch will take hold of Nice’s upcoming fixtures is yet to be seen, but the way Digard has galvanised a squad that has seen plenty of recent investment should pose as a warning to AC Ajaccio. Contrastingly, Saturday’s visitors are reeling from four losses in five, with their one recent win against fellow strugglers, Angers.

OGC Nice vs AC Ajaccio Best Bet

Considering the two different veins of form, this should be a match-up favouring the home side. OGC Nice sit atop the five-game form standings after their four wins.

Ajaccio’s 0.60 points per game ratio see them fifth from bottom form-wise and 18th overall, clamouring for points with their head not quite above water, occupying one of Ligue 1’s relegation spots.

Selection: OGC Nice Win & Over 1.5 Goals
Best Odds: 2.10 (bet365)
Stakes: 10/10

More OGC Nice vs AC Ajaccio Tips

Wolfsberger vs WSG Tirol Preview

Austria, Bundesliga, Saturday, February 11th, 16:00 (UK)

Delving into the stats of the two respective sides next weekend in Austria, BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals looks to be a real runner. No side has banked the proposed selection in the Austrian Bundesliga more times than Wolfsberger (7/8) at home this season.

At the same time, WSG Tirol’s record, when playing away from the 5500-seated Gernot Langes Stadion, also tops the tree with a mirroring 7/8 fixtures banking the pick.

Recent head-to-heads tick the necessary boxes, too. In 7/9 meetings dating back to 2019, the pair have regularly served up winning slips for BTTS & Over 2.5 strikes.

Next weekend will host the returning fixtures in the Austrian Bundesliga after a prolonged winter period. Wolfsberger blew out the cobwebs on Saturday against SK Rapid Wien in the quarter-final of the Austrian OFB Cup. It was played at home, and with the help of extra time, it materialised into another high-scoring (1-3) affair.

Wolfsberger vs WSG Tirol Best Bet

There was no domestic cup preamble for WSG Tirol, though the six friendlies to keep them ticking over each saw BTTS land, with 5/6 encouraging BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals.

With the fixture coming so soon after the winter break, it will be difficult to approach next weekend with too much confidence, but it’s certainly a fixture to keep your eye on.

Selection: BTTS & O2.5 Goals
Best Odds: 1.80 (bet365)
Stakes: 10/10

Best odds available as at 12:00 on 6th February 2023. Odds may now differ.

More Wolfsberger vs WSG Tirol Tips

What are Football Best Bets?

Our best bets are posted by some of the best tipsters around. These are our tipsters best value bets. A best bet can be placed on any number of different markets. The most common of which are 1X2, the Asian handicap, BTTS, and the goals markets. Value can be found in matches from leagues across the world. Be sure to follow bettingexpert for the latest best bets.