That’s right folks, today is the final day of games before the 2022 FIFA World Cup arrives.
After today’s slate of matches, the soccer world shuts down until November 20 when the first game of the World Cup kicks off.
It’s a full day of action, especially in Italy and France, where six Serie A matches and seven Ligue 1 games take the field. They’re joined by two Bundesliga matches and two Premier League matchups, with Europe shutting up shop after today.
There’s also a gargantuan slate of Copa del Rey games in Spain, with top-tier clubs Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Almeria, Girona, and Cadiz all taking the field, and all on the road at lower league sides.
Check out all our picks below,
MORE: Sporting News soccer betting guide
Atalanta vs. Inter Milan best bet, prediction
We’re hammering unders as the World Cup approaches, as top teams with World Cup participating players have started to slow, with the players hoping to avoid injuries that will keep them from playing in the sport’s greatest tournament. Yet these two teams with attacking potential have historically played to low-scoring even without the World Cup influence. Eight of the last 10 meetings between these teams have gone under the 2.5 goal total. Additionally, both teams have been inconsistent up front. Inter bagged six against 13th-placed Bologna last time out, but against more talented teams like Juventus and Bayern, they were held out of the net altogether, and even the six against Bologna came on just 2.79 xG. Atalanta’s attack has been even more lackluster lately, underperforming their expected goals total in each of their last five. Take into account that these two teams have top-five defenses on xGA, and this could be another tense matchup between these two sides. — Kyle Bonn
FC Nantes vs. AC Ajaccio best bet, prediction
Neither of these teams are known for scoring goals in bunches, but there are a few reasons why Nantes should come out on top. Nantes playmaker Ludovic Blas isn’t having the season the French side was hoping for, but he has come on strong of late, with two goals and two assists in their last six matches. Last time out he came up empty, but that’s because they played a half-hour down a man after defender Nicolas Pallois was sent off. While Nantes may be missing one of their defenders due to suspension…Ajaccio are missing both. Both Clement Vidal and Cedric Avinel are out for this match, meaning Blas should be able to feast enough to get the home side through to victory. — Kyle Bonn
Freiburg vs. Union Berlin best bet, prediction
The defensive unit for Union Berlin, once the pride of the Bundesliga, has completely fallen apart just in time for a trip to proficient attacking side Freiburg. Union Berlin has coughed up seven goals over the past two games, and even though the expected goals still favor the former Bundesliga leaders (those seven goals came on 2.51 xG), it’s a far cry from the dominance of months past. Now, without key defensive midfielder Rani Khedira, who’s suspended for the match, they’ll be even more open for business at the back. On the other side, Freiburg are fourth in the Bundesliga in expected goals, with Italian winger Vincenzo Grifo a combo threat down the left. Grifo came off the bench last time out against RB Leipzig in defeat, so he should be fresh for a starting role. — Kyle Bonn
Fulham vs. Man United best bet, prediction
Both these teams have World Cup participants that could slow to a crawl to avoid injury in the final match before the tournament begins, but that’s not all that makes this primed for a snoozefest. Fulham are without striker Aleksandar Mitrovic through injury, plus suspensions for Kenny Tete and Harrison Reed. For United, Diogo Dalot is suspended, while the Red Devils are also sweating the health of a number of attacking players. Finally, Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno has had plenty of work to do this season, and he’s been up to the task, registering the most saves per game in the Premier League. — Kyle Bonn
Yesterday’s picks
We are heading into the World Cup on the heels of a strong few weeks. Another big Saturday keeps the wins ticking over, with just one more day of club action to go.
Liverpool laid the hurt on Southampton, triggering the over, but otherwise, multi-goal victories for Hertha, Galatasaray, and Lecce all proved profitable. Galatasaray especially pummelled Istanbul Basaksehir, to the tune of a massive 7-0 scoreline.
| ✔️ or ❌ or ↔️ | |
|---|---|
| Hertha BSC to win (vs. FC Koln) (Bonn, +125) |
✔️ or ❌ |
| Liverpool vs. Southampton under 3.5 goals (Bonn, -120) |
✔️ or ❌ |
| Lecce to win (at Sampdoria) (Bonn, +185) |
✔️ or ❌ |
| Galatasaray to win (at Istanbul Basaksehir) (Bonn, +150) |
✔️ or ❌ |
Soccer best bets records
Records below compiled since the first edition of this post on Monday, October 3.
| Kyle Bonn | Simon Borg | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Bets (Won-Lost-Push) |
42.6% (49-66-2) |
28.6% (12-30-1) |
| Total Units (+ Won / – Lost) |
+9.65 | -16.55 |
| Match Predictions (Correct picks) |
48.6% (54 of 111) |
46.5% (20 of 43) |
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- Kickoff time: 6:30 a.m. ET
- Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals
- Odds: +110 (BetMGM)
- Prediction (Win/Draw): Inter
- Kickoff time: 9 a.m. ET
- Best Bet: Nantes to win
- Odds: +100 (BetMGM)
- Best Bet: Ludovic Blas to score or assist
- Odds: +160 (FanDuel)
- Prediction (Win/Draw): Nantes
- Kickoff time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Best Bet: Freiburg over 1.5 goals
- Odds: +115 (BetMGM)
- Prediction (Win/Draw): Freiburg
- Kickoff time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals
- Odds: +120 (BetMGM)
- Prediction (Win/Draw): Draw
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