Soccer predictions, best bets today: Betting tips, expert picks for games on Saturday, October 29

There are a group of early matches on Saturday that have caught our eye on a busy day of soccer action. 

The opening matches in Spain, Italy, and England all have an angle worth looking at, according to one of our experts. 

Champions League teams Marseille and Napoli are two of the favorites highlighted in the picks below, along with a BTTS (both teams to score) between two attack-minded relegation candidates in Almeria and Celta Vigo. 

Also, can Phil Foden be the star that carries defending Premier League champions Manchester City on their trip to Leicester. A +160 anytime scorer play depends on it.

MORE: The Sporting News soccer betting guide

Almeria vs. Celta Vigo prediction, best bet

• Best Bet: Both teams to score
• Odds: -110 (Caesars)
• Prediction (Win/Draw): Celta Vigo to win

These two teams score enough goals and concede enough goals to make this match a viable shootout. Celta Vigo’s last three league fixtures have seen both teams find the back of the net, and Iago Aspas is getting chances despite his goal slump, while Almeria’s run of games with both teams scoring sits at four.

Additionally, three of the last four league meetings between these two sides have seen both teams find the back of the net, with the points split almost evenly (two wins for Celta Vigo, one for Almeria, one draw). The over is an enticing proposition at plus odds, the real possibility of a 1-1 draw means that both teams to score remains a better play. — Kyle Bonn

Napoli vs. Sassuolo prediction, best bet

• Best Bet: Napoli -1.5 handicap (spread)
• Odds: -125 (Caesars)
• Prediction (Win/Draw): Napoli to win

I will be riding Napoli as long as possible. This team is one of the most consistent performers in Europe, attacking in waves and defending well on the opposite end.

Last time out in league play, Roma did their best to lock down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and it nearly worked, but Napoli found an 80th-minute winner. Sassuolo won’t have nearly the same luck, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their last three matches. And they don’t have the firepower at the other end to keep up. — Kyle Bonn

Leicester City vs. Man City prediction, best bet

• Best Bet: Phil Foden anytime goalscorer
• Odds: +160/2.60 (Sports Interaction)
• Prediction (Win/Draw): Man City to win

In Erling Haaland’s likely absence for Man City after the knock he picked up against Dortmund, someone else will have to step up for Pep Guardiola. Foden has been noticeably absent from the buildup in City’s last three games, and that will have Guardiola concerned after the loss to Liverpool and draw with Dortmund over that span.

Getting Foden going again up front will be a top priority, and when he’s going, he can provide both fantastic service and exquisite finishing in front of net. It’s the latter we’ll take here. — Kyle Bonn

Strasbourg vs. Marseille prediction, best bet

• Best Bet: Marseille to win (moneyline)
• Odds: +130 (Caesars)
• Prediction (Win/Draw): Marseille to win

It’s our old friend, road favorite with plus odds again. Marseille have been poor, but Strasbourg have been worse. This is a great chance for Alexis Sanchez to get back on his horse, without a goal in his last four games..

Although it’s tempting, it’s just a little too dicey to take the over 2.5 goals (-125) or the both teams to score (-135). The road team with plus odds should be enough to satisfy. — Kyle Bonn

Yesterday’s picks

It was essentially a break-even day on Friday. Kyle predicted Mallorca and Espanyol to both have a goal in them and it panned out exactly that way (the second was a real stunner). But Hertha Berlin (one shot on target at Bremen) failed him on the second BTTS he needed to hit. 

Belgian striker Lois Openda found his scoring boots again for the first time in nearly two months, netting a hat trick to lead Lends to a 3-0 win over Toulouse. But a harsh 33rd-minute red card shown to another Belgian, Fatih Karagumruk midfielder Adnan Ugur, ruined any chance of Andrea Pirlo’s team scoring against Galatasaray.

Soccer best bets records

Records below compiled since the first edition of this post on Monday, October 3.