football | Wednesday, August 9, 2023 8:48 AM (Revised at: Friday, August 11, 2023 7:17 AM)

Expert Tips and Predictions From bettingexpert This Weekend: Eight selections spanning the globe

Sam Ingram

Expert Tips and Predictions From bettingexpert This Weekend Intro:

From Cardiff to Sampdoria in the cup, through Norway and the scorching pitches of Bolivia, welcome to the first ever bettingexpert expert tips (it’s somewhat of a mouthful, we know) offering. It’s simple; one article, the whole bettingexpert team, and plenty of expert tips and predictions. Let’s get right into it.

In This Article:

Cardiff vs QPR Expert Tips and Predictions For This Weekend
Watford vs Plymouth Expert Tips and Prediction For This Weekend
Ipswich vs Stoke Expert Tips and Prediction For This Weekend
Bournemouth vs West Ham Expert Tips and Prediction For This Weekend
Always Ready vs Nacional Potosi Expert Tips and Prediction For This Weekend
Newcastle vs Aston Villa Expert Tips and Prediction For This Weekend
Lillestrom vs Viking Best Expert Tips and Prediction For This Weekend
Sampdoria vs FC Sudtirol Expert Tips and Prediction For This Weekend
Responsible Gambling

Cardiff vs QPR: Bluebirds to sing

England, Championship, Saturday, August 12th, 15:00 (UK)

We shouldn’t give too much significance to the opening day’s fixtures when considering what’s to happen in the Championship moving forward. However, it’s always a good indicator of how teams will set up, which players will feature where, and if a side is lacking in comparison.

QPR? They fall into the latter category at present. Gareth Ainsworth’s men could only stump up one shot on target in their visit to Watford from four attempts. The 0.39xG from said four attempts goes some way to explaining just how threatening the R’s opening day was, propped up by 29% possession over the course of the 90 minutes.

There’s growing concern amongst QPR fans, and with their opening five fixtures reading as Watford (A), Cardiff (A), Ipswich (H), Southampton (A) and Middlesbrough (A), one would assume that Ainsworth is growing increasingly concerned about his future at the club.

Make no mistake about it; this is a big game for QPR. Yet, the visitors will have their work cut out after watching Cardiff take a two-goal lead in Leeds before vacating Elland Road with a draw. There looked to be a focus on Cardiff committing bodies high up the pitch when advancing into the opponent’s attacking third. With Josh Bowler on one wing and Karlan Grant on the other, there’s scope for this Cardiff attack to flourish into something quite dangerous. That’s not nailed on, though, with the two wide men needing to capture form first and foremost – something we didn’t see last season at their respective clubs.

It’s not Sory Kaba between them, as many Cardiff fans will have dreamt during the summer, but Ike Ugbo looks to be an able deputy. It’s a small sample size, granted, but the former Chelsea academy product appears lively in the box, has the legs to stretch defences and run in behind, and picked up a goal and an assist on his debut. You can’t ask for much more than that, although he did muscle into the Championship team of the week, too. Ugbo may well transpire into another smart loan acquisition up top in Wales.

The potential threat going forward and the likelihood of Cardiff committing bodies into QPR’s defensive third fills me with apprehension for the visitors. Not only that, but the Bluebirds’ rearguard feels robust enough to keep QPR at bay for considerable periods – they showed as much in the curtain-raiser.

Expert: Sam Ingram
Selection: Cardiff Win
Best Odds: 2.00
Bookmaker: bet365
Stake: 10/10 (TRACKED BET)

Watford vs Plymouth: The case of the ex

England, Championship, Saturday, August 12th, 15:00 (UK)

You know how it is. Sometimes you just have an ex you can’t get out of your head. In my case, it’s Bali Mumba. Especially when I see him at considerable odds to do what he is oh so good at – taking a poke at goal!

Having spent last season on loan at Plymouth, helping them win the League One title, the 21-year-old was named the division’s Young Player of the Season at the EFL awards. The Norwich loanee fired 38 shots from 41 appearances, which is not bad for someone playing predominantly as a wing back.

Last weekend the 21-year-old made his second debut for the Pilgrims, this time on a permanent basis, having been snapped up for a bargain £1m. There I was, trying to enjoy my Saturday afternoon with the new people in my life when bang, news reached me; “Bali has scored – a cracker apparently”.

Sure enough, it was. Soon after shooting over, having found himself in space on the edge of the box, he produced a superb slaloming run and finish for what turned out to be the winning goal.

Argyle boss Steven Schumacher was thrilled to bring Mumba back to the club and was full of praise when the deal was announced. He was happy to tell the media “his pace, directness and positivity were huge parts of our success last season” and that fans were delighted to see him back as “he got them off their seat”.

The noteworthy thing is Mumba was deployed in a more advanced role on the left against Huddersfield, and a similar set-up to that against Watford will make this price huge value. Even if Plymouth revert to a back three with wing-backs, Bali had two or more attempts at goal in 27% of his appearances from there, keeping us on the right side.

Expert: Jack Wright
Selection: Bali Mumba over 1.5 shots
Best Odds: 4.00
Bookmaker: bet365
Stake: 8/10 (TRACKED BET)

Ipswich vs Stoke: There’s nothing slow and steady about the Tractor Boys

England, Championship, Saturday, August 12th, 15:00 (UK)

After both winning their first games of the season, Ipswich and Stoke will be exuding confidence. They meet in a mouthwatering tie at Portman Road.

Ipswich marked their return to Championship football with a 2-1 victory over promotion contenders Sunderland. Kieran McKenna’s side played easy-on-the-eye football and showed late resilience to weather a Sunderland onslaught. Despite this, The Black Cats still accumulated a 1.92xG, so Ipswich rode their luck a bit. However, they looked potent in attack, with Conor Chaplin, George Hirst, Nathan Broadhead, and Wes Burns showing fluidity going forward.

Stoke showed their playoff credentials with a 4-1 dispatching of Rotherham. Alex Neil’s side ended with 71% possession and 2.42xG. New signing Andre Vidigal scored a brace and was a real thorn in Rotherham’s side. However, Rotherham’s goal, albeit flukey, exposed a weakness for the Potters: set pieces.

Two attack-minded sides brimming with confidence should see goals at Portman Road.

Expert: Matthew O’Reagan
Selection: Over 2.5 Asian Goals
Best Odds: 1.83
Bookmaker: bet365
Stake: 8/10 (TRACKED BET)

Bournemouth vs West Ham: Cherries over dirty laundry

England, Premier League, Saturday, August 12th, 15:00 (UK)

West Ham have been washing their dirty laundry in public on the cusp of the new season; it’s a bold strategy.

In fact, their antics, in general, this summer have been odd.

Selling their captain and best player was fair. Most will agree it was the right time for both the Hammers and Declan Rice to part company, but their contingency plan is nonexistent.

David Moyes and Tim Steidten, the Sporting Director, have different ideas of how the money should be spent, best epitomised by Moyes’ wishlist of Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay and James Ward-Prowse.

The turbulence has seen Moyes move to second favourite in the sack race, and there is speculation as to if he will even be in the dugout at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

Bournemouth are in a much better position.

They have a highly regarded coach that comes from a club with plenty of parallels to the Cherries, who has had a summer to implement his ideas on a well-suited squad.

At a shade under even money, Bournemouth Draw No Bet seems a little bit too good to be true.

Expert: Jimmy The Punt
Selection: Bournemouth Draw No Bet
Best Odds: 1.95
Bookmaker: Paddy Power
Stake: 10/10 (TRACKED BET)

Always Ready vs Nacional Potosi: Dominant home performance expected in title race clash

Bolivia, Division Profesional, Saturday 12th August, 20:00 (UK)

Here we have a huge clash on Saturday night in Bolivia as fourth takes on second. Always Ready has won the last five league matches, which includes table toppers The Strongest. However, not only has Always Ready won these matches, but they’ve dominated them.

If you don’t shoot, you don’t score. Well, Always Ready takes that to the extreme. With 167 shots across those five home games, an average of 33.4 attempts shows how relentless Always Ready are in front of their own fans. The away teams combined only managed 32 between them – The Strongest only hit the target once during their visit.

Nacional Potosi are flying at the moment in second, but two concerning defeats on the road have been a minor setback for their title charge. A 3-2 defeat to bottom-placed Libertad Gran Mamore and a 1-0 loss to 15th-placed Blooming isn’t ideal preparation before a trip to El Alto.

However, Nacional do possess two prolific goalscorers within their squad. Martin Prost (15) and Tommy Tobar (13) will be a threat. Yet it’s important to note Tobar has gone 13 matches since he found the net away from home.

Always Ready has a top striker of their own in Dorny Romero, who has scored 15 domestic goals in just 20 appearances. He’ll no doubt get multiple chances on Saturday and be sure he’s ready to take them.

Priced at 2.00, it’s hard to ignore the league’s most in-form side over the last 15 matches, no matter who they face.

Expert: Nathan Joyes
Selection: Always Ready to win
Best Odds: 2.00
Bookmaker: bet365
Stake: 7/10 (TRACKED BET)

Newcastle vs Aston Villa: Goals the continuing trend in Newcastle

England, Premier League, Saturday, 12th August 17:30 (UK)

Newcastle are looking to build on last year’s season, which saw them qualify for the Champions League. They have carried that form into pre-season, but they face a stern test in the form of Aston Villa on the opening day of the season.

Villa secured European football of their own with a 7th-place finish. The team’s fortunes turned around after the board decided to sack Steven Gerrard. The upturn in form left many Villa fans wondering what might of been had Emery been in charge from the start.

This bet landed both times these teams met last season. Newcastle won this fixture 4-0, while Villa won 3-0 on home turf.

Aston Villa’s league matches under Unai Emery have seen an average of 2.55 goals per game. They have looked dangerous in attack in preparation for the upcoming campaign, and that should carry into this game.

Newcastle’s Premier League matches last season saw 2.66 goals per game. This rose drastically to 3.50 in the previous ten games of last season. It has also landed in six of their seven pre-season matches.

Expert: Scott Thornton
Selection: Over 2.5 Goals In The Match (tracked)
Best Odds: 1.78
Bookmaker: Betway
Stake: 7/10 (TRACKED BET)

Lillestrom vs Viking: The Vikings may prove unwanted visitors

Norway, Eliteserien, Sunday, 13th August, 16:00 (UK)

The Norwegian Eliteserien is in the second half of the league season, there’s everything to play for at both sides of the table.

Viking are currently 2nd, they’re on an impressive run of form which has seen them beat Brann twice and most recently, Bodo, the league leaders. A 9th consecutive win here will put them level on points with Kjetil Knutsen’s side.

Lillestrom have won six and lost three at home this season, but interestingly, five of those victories have come against teams occupying the bottom seven spots.

The league’s top scorer is Akor Adams, the Nigerian has scored 15 of Lillestrom’s 33 league goals this campaign but unfortunately for them, he’s transferred to Montpellier in France. This will be an almighty blow for the club.

Viking have lost just three times this campaign, them being against Molde, Bodo and Rosenborg on the opening day. They’re on fine scoring form with 19 goals arriving in those recent eight, scoring multiple times in seven of those.

The reverse fixture saw Viking earn all three points in a 2-0 win, the handicap looks generously priced for this encounter and I wouldn’t be surprised if the odds shortened.

Expert: Tom Winch
Selection: Viking +0.25 Asian Handicap
Best Odds:1.920
Bookmaker: bet365
Stake: 8/10 (TRACKED BET)

Sampdoria vs FC Sudtirol: Pirlo to debut with a win

Italy, Coppa Italia, 14th August 2023, 5pm (UK)

Andrea Pirlo is back in Italy after an unsuccessful experience in Turkey and has the opportunity to get his managerial career back on track by helping the Blucerchiati to return to Italy’s top flight. Sampdoria have been in turmoil for the last couple of years, but now, with new owners and new players, there’s hope they can return to past glories.

The first signs are encouraging: the hosts have won all their six pre-season games and have broken last season’s record of season tickets sold.

Sampdoria’s squad is still not complete, but Pirlo can count on a couple of quality players, from Stefano Girelli, one of the best Serie C players with Lecco last year, to Leonardo Benedetti, who last season featured for Bari (and incidentally scored against FC Sudtirol in the play-offs), and 18-year-old Marco Delle Monache, who’s considered one of best youngsters in Italy. However, the main man should be former Liverpool and Sunderland striker Fabio Borini.

FC Sudtirol, at their debut in Serie B last year, were the surprise package and have confirmed the manager Pierpaolo Bisoli. They finished sixth in the table, despite their poor goalscoring record (only 38 goals scored), but they won more games away (8) than at home (6).

It’s very unlikely Sampdoria, who have won the Coppa Italia four times, will progress further than the round of 16 (if you fancy them, it pays 126 on Unibet for them to lift the trophy). Still, I believe they’ll begin the season as expected from them.

Expert: Daniele Fisichella
Selection: Sampdoria to win
Best Odds: 1.75
Bookmaker: Betfair
Stake: 10/10 (TRACKED BET)

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