Punters Panel: Weekend football betting advice from our experts

A busy weekend of football action is almost upon us – and for the first time ever, we’ve assembled a series of sharp minds to help mark your card in the form of our brand new Punters Panel here at Odds Now!

Introducing the Odds Now Football Punters Panel

Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the five men answering our key questions:

Matt Hill - Head of Content at Odds Now and an experienced football bettor with over a decade in the betting industry. Follow Matt on X HERE.

Felix Morson-Pate - Football trader at a leading bookmaker and our resident data expert – check out Felix’s latest weekly column HERE.

Gab Sutton - Leading EFL journalist, lower league expert and co-host of Odds Now’s EFL Betting Show – watch this week’s episode HERE.

Adam Drury - Odds Now’s primary football tipster, who is enjoying a stellar 2024-25 campaign. Catch Adam’s Burnley vs Norwich tips HERE.

Scott Redfearn - Veteran football punter and renowned value hunter. Follow Scott on X HERE.

Now, onto the fun stuff!

What is your best bet of the football weekend?

MH - I’d be happy taking anything around the 2/1 mark on Millwall to beat Middlesbrough in the Championship. Boro’s only away wins this year have come against three poor sides and the hosts will be fired up to parachute themselves into the play-off race with victory at The Den.

FMP - I’d have to say Bolton to win at Barnsley at anything north of EVS. They are two clubs trending in very different directions as things stand and I love Steven Schumacher’s work with the visitors thus far since taking over in late January.

GS -  I really like Luton to beat Blackburn. I'm a big believer that the permutations at this stage of the season can count for as much as the levels either side have delivered over the course of the campaign, and on top of that, the form of both teams is very significant - especially if you correlate Rovers' drop-off with the loss of John Eustace.

AD - I can’t see past Luton beating Blackburn at Kenilworth Road at 10/11 with Ladbrokes. This is a huge game for the Hatters, who have looked much more like their old selves in recent weeks, while Blackburn are in a sorry state on and off the field.

SR - It’s now no win in 12 for Shrewsbury and taking their opponents on a -1 handicap would have won in three of their last four away games. Lincoln have recently had a 4-1 and a 5-0 home win and I can see this being a comfortable win for a Lincoln side with the likes of James Collins and Jovon Malala being in form.

Is there a short-priced favourite you think looks vulnerable?

MH - I’d be reluctant to get with Aston Villa at 3/5 against Southampton. Saints have sacked Ivan Juric this week, so expect a much improved showing as a few players come in from the cold. It’s a free hit for them at home Villa side who may well rotate ahead of a Champions League second-leg showdown with PSG. 

FMP - I wouldn’t mind being against Sheffield Wednesday at home to Oxford, especially given both sides recent performances. The hosts are four without a win and rooted in midtable, while Oxford are still fighting admirably for survival.

GS - I wouldn't be touching West Brom at 4/5. They've lost their last 3 games and are winless in 5. The Tony Mowbray appointment was understandable at the time, but the performances under him have gradually deteriorated, and Watford only have one fewer points.

AD - Manchester City would have been even shorter to beat Crystal Palace at home in recent seasons but there’s still no way I’d want to be involved at 11/20. City have only won five of their last 10 league home games and Palace – who have all the tools to beat them – have lost just two of 18. 

SR - Avoid backing odds on Aston Villa this weekend vs Southampton. Villa have only won twice in the league post European games this season and one of those was back in September. Expect a potential new manager bounce at Southampton vs an Aston Villa side who will have PSG on the mind.

Can you give us a bet you fancy at a big price?

MH - All the way down in the National League South, Worthing are wobbling in the title race with three defeats in their last four leading them to lose top spot at a crucial time. Visitors Chippenham are a tidy mid-table outfit and at 7/1 could be worth a small go in case anxiety still lurks in the home ranks.

FMP - Brighton win to nil and over 4.5 goals at 16/1 could be worth a flyer. I just see no threat from Leicester at the minute and the Seagulls have the tools to put a poor side to the sword if they are in the mood.

GS - Burton to beat Huddersfield at 12/5 appeals to me. The Brewers have been far more competitive under Gary Bowyer and I feel they have one or two shock results left in them, whereas the visitors' decision to dismiss Michael Duff hasn't yielded immediate results.

AD - The League Two title race is bonkers, providing a twist when, in theory, you least expect one. Port Vale have racked up three wins in a row but don’t impress in terms of underlying numbers and I fancy a punchy Bromley side to cause them problems. I’ll take the visitors at 4/1 with Betfred.

SR - Man City entertain Crystal Palace in the early game on Saturday and I fully expect a counter attack game plan from Crystal Palace. City have been caught out more this season, especially on the quick breaks directed through the wings.I can see Matheus Nunes being targeted at right back and therefore being put into uncomfortable positions at times, especially with the speed Palace attack. 11/2 about a Nunes booking is well worth a go with Bet365.

Which game do you think looks like a potential goal-fest from the weekend slate?

MH - Over in Germany, old foes Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund meet in the 5.30pm kick-off. The last two meetings have been unusually low key but prior to that, nine straight meetings saw four or more goals scored. Given their respective circumstances, I think things will revert to type here.

FMP - This does feel like somewhat of a cop out but Bayern vs Dortmund could spell some fireworks. You only need a brief look into the H2H record to see why.

GS - Morecambe vs Carlisle. A draw is no good to either side. So throughout the game, regardless of the score you'll always have at least one team on the offensive.

AD - If there aren’t goals in Stuttgart vs Werder Bremen on Sunday afternoon then we may as well pack up for the rest of the season. Over 2.5 has landed in the hosts’ last seven home league games and five of the visitors’ last six league away games – often going past 3.5, too, which is my tip with Star Sports at 6/5.

SR - Having already played out a 3-2 and a 3-3 this season, expect more goals when Ebbsfleet entertain Sutton this Saturday. Ebbsfleet have seen 15 goals in their last three games alone while Sutton have seen over 2.5 in their last 3 away games. 15/8 for over 3.5 stands out with BetVictor.

Any goalscorers or props bets that take your fancy this weekend?

MH - League Two basement boys Carlisle simply must win at Morecambe to preserve any hopes of a great escape. Injury-prone striker Georgie Kelly made only his second start of the season last weekend and scored twice in a comeback win over Newport. 10/3 about him notching anytime here shows the market has yet to catch up.

FMP - Over in Italy, Como are impressing me of late with some solid results and equally good performances. Backing their creative midfielder Nico Paz to score or assist against Torino feels a solid pick at 11/10.

GS - Matty Godden, for Charlton at Cambridge. He's been bang in form last couple of months and the 5/2 available with Unibet looks very generous against a breachable backline.

AD - This bet could fall down before a ball is kicked but one player I like at the top of the Premier League is Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott. He regularly makes an impact off the bench – taking seven shots in his last 80 minutes of Premier League football and scoring the winner in the first leg against PSG – and I think he may get a go from the off against West Ham. If so, I’m keen on the 7/2 available with Sky Bet.

SR - Robin Van Persie has got Feyenoord flying after his appointment in late February. They’ve bagged 14 goals in four games along with 12 points against some respectable opposition in the Eredivisie. Igor Paixao is their current danger man with six goals in those four games and I can’t ignore the 15/8 with William Hill for an anytime goalscorer who has had 20 shots in his last 4 games. 

Super Sunday sees Newcastle take on Manchester United. Is there any value to be found?

MH - Newcastle are short, but rightfully so I’d say. Champions League qualification is in reach and with no other distractions, I expect them to get there. Rather than a bet on this match, back the Toon for a top-four finish at 13/10. I expect they’ll be odds-on by Sunday night.

FMP - An Alexander Isak brace at around 6/1 catches my eye. The Swede was quiet against Leicester but doesn’t tend to stay out of the action for long. A Newcastle win to nil may also be worth a small investment at 9/4.

GS - No strong feeling in terms of a bet, though perhaps Man United are a smidge underrated. They've only actually lost 1 of their last 10 despite some negative noise around the club.

AD - Let’s keep this fairly simple. Since December, Newcastle usually win and Alexander Isak usually scores. Combine the two for an 8/5 bet with Unibet.

SR - After a frustrating midweek draw with Lyon, I fully expect a similar set up from Manchester United to when they played Manchester City – but without the home advantage. United average 21.6 tackles per game and rank sixth for cards given this term. Newcastle should have the attacking advantage with Manchester United looking to break up play. So, the visitors to make over 19.5 tackles and collect the most booking points is 8/5 with a 365 Bet Builder, which appeals.

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