It’s October and with football on the telly almost every day, there’s no shortage of action. We’ve got the top three football betting tips of the week for you, but we’re not stopping there. To mix things up and broaden your sports betting portfolio, we’ll also introduce some enticing prospects in eSports, golf, rugby union, and rugby league.
Powered by bookmaker Pinnacle, our betting predictions for this week cater to all types of punters. Whether you prefer to play it safe or enjoy taking a risk now and then, the tips below should help you add a few smart picks to your bet slip over the next seven days.
Best eSports Predictions This Week
Let’s kick things off with some eSports predictions. The League of Legends World Championship is currently in full swing, so we’ll take a look at a few key match-ups. Additionally, the 2024 IEM Rio, one of the biggest events on the CS2 calendar, is set to begin on the 7th of October, and it certainly warrants our attention.
MOUZ vs. paiN – paiN to Win @ 2.570
16 elite Counter-Strike teams are ready to battle it out for a staggering $250,000 prize pool and a coveted IEM Katowice 2025 spot at the IEM Rio 2024. MOUZ and paiN will be one of the opening night battles we will get to witness. Can the German giants get the better of the local boys? We don’t think so, and we will tell you why. Before that, let’s give you some context.
MOUZ had won the ESL Pro League Season 18 and made it to the IEM Dallas 2023 final last year. Their momentum did not wane in 2024. The European combine successfully defended their ESL Pro League crown in May and won the BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024 afterwards. They also made deep runs at the Esports World Cup 2024, IEM Cologne 2024, and IEM China 2024.
Their last outing, however, was a disaster. They missed out on an ESL Pro League three-peat in the worst possible way. Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek and company crashed out of the group stages after losing the lower bracket final to Complexity.
Expectations for paiN, on the contrary, were not so demanding on the international stage. Despite their dominance in Latin America, they struggled to replicate this success globally. Therefore, finishing 9th-11th at PGL Major Copenhagen was not a disappointing result. More recently, they finished fourth at BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024 ahead of the likes of Heroic, Team Falcons, 9Pandas, and FURIA.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: October 2nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
paiN defeated MOUZ in Belgrade back in August, so they’ll be full of confidence heading into this clash. MOUZ, on the other hand, appear to be struggling, especially after a disastrous ESL Pro League Season 20 campaign. Plus, the Brazilians will have the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd. With that in mind, we’ll take up Pinnacle’s odds of 2.570 for a paiN victory.
Bilibili vs. MAD Lions KOI – Bilibili Under 19.5 Points @ 1.826
The World Championship is the marquee event of the League of Legends scene, and the excitement is reaching new heights as the tournament moves into the Swiss Stage. MAD Lions KOI will be aiming to pull off a major upset in their opening match as they prepare to face Chinese heavyweights Bilibili.
Last season, BLG stormed into the top two of the Chinese region, earning a well-deserved spot at the Mid-Season Invitational 2023. Their performance at the international event was nothing short of sensational, reaching the grand final only to narrowly miss out on the title against JD Gaming.
Bilibili underwent a roster reshuffle at the Long Conference 2023, but the new team hasn’t dampened the franchise’s drive or ambition. They went on to win both the LPL Spring 2024 and LPL Summer 2024, in addition to securing a runner-up finish at MSI 2024. Their first-round exit at the Esports World Cup 2024 has been their biggest underachievement so far this season, but they’ve shown remarkable consistency in other competitions.
The MAD Lions KOI roster has displayed commendable quality in the past, but they’ve had more than their fair share of near misses lately. Earlier this year, they lost the LEC Winter 2024 grand final to G2, just as they did in the LEC Winter 2023 grand final against the same team.
After that MLK faced a challenging regular season in the Spring Split, ultimately finishing seventh with a record of 4-5. Their struggles continued into the playoffs, where they reached the second round of the lower bracket but were unable to progress beyond the top six.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: October 2nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Bilibili are clear favourites heading into this match, making the outright winner market less appealing. Instead, we’ve focused on the Team Total Kills market. The Chinese side has averaged 16.9 kills per game this season, so we anticipate them to fall short of 19.5 kills against the Lions. This seems like a relatively safe bet at odds of 1.826 offered by bookmaker Pinnacle.
Top Esports vs. T1 – Top Esports to Win @ 1.884
A mouthwatering clash awaits at the Worlds 2024 Swiss Stage as Top Esports and T1 go head-to-head. Both teams will be eager to gain an early advantage in their quest for the championship by securing a victory over their fellow contender.
Top Esports enjoyed a highly successful LPL Spring 2024 regular season, posting a 13-3 record and securing a direct entry into the Double-Elimination stage. In their opening playoff match, TES cruised past JD Gaming with a convincing 3-0 victory. Their next challenge was Bilibili Gaming, but they could not outscore them in a thrilling 3-2 affair.
Another dominant victory against JD Gaming handed Top Esports a shot at redemption in the grand final, but they lost to Bilibili once again. They followed this with a top-6 finish at MSI 2024 and another unsuccessful title bid at the 2024 Esports World Cup, losing to T1 in the final.
Despite an impressive Long Corner regular season, T1’s form dipped slightly in the LCK Spring 2024, finishing third with a 15-3 record. Their championship playoff journey began with a surprising 0-3 defeat to Hanwha Life Esports. However, they bounced back in the lower bracket, defeating DPlus KIA 3-0 and then edging out Hanwha Life Esports 3-1 to secure their place as the second Korean team at MSI 2024.
To take part in the Esports World Cup 2024, T1 temporarily put their LCK Summer 2024 campaign on hold, having won five of their six matches. Stepping away from domestic competition, T1 travelled to Riyadh, where they clinched the Esports World Cup 2024 title and claimed the $1,000,000 prize.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: October 2nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
This is a match that could go either way, as there’s very little difference in quality between these two sides. However, T1 have been in a bit of a slump recently, suffering three defeats in their last five outings. Therefore, we believe Top Esports might just be able to avenge their loss to the South Korean side in the 2024 Esports World Cup final.
Best Golf Prediction This Week
Scottish golf lovers will have the opportunity to witness the final mainstream event of the year on home soil as the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship tees off on October 3rd. Here is our pick to win the tournament.
Rory Mcllroy to Win @ 8.070
It’s a bit baffling that Rory McIlroy still hasn’t won this competition. He’s shown the form and ability to do it plenty of times, and his record—finishing 3rd, 8th, 2nd, 53rd, 2nd, 2nd, 63rd, 26th, and 4th since 2007—proves he’s been consistently competitive.
Rory McIlroy heads to St. Andrews off the back of two runner-up finishes. He could well have been chasing a third straight win, though, as he was the clear favourite at both the Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship.
There’s no denying that he has faced challenges in getting over the line at crucial moments. Take the US Open in June, for instance; many felt he was the man to beat and that the title was within his grasp. However, luck hasn’t been on his side in his last two outings.
In both cases, he was pipped to the post by opponents who produced spectacular finishes: first, Rasmus Hojgaard managed to steal the show with a remarkable performance, and then Billy Horschel followed suit, securing his victory in similarly dramatic fashion. McIlroy’s frustration must be mounting as he finds himself so close yet unable to seal the deal.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: October 2nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Jon Rahm narrowly edges out Rory McIlroy at the top of the betting market, but we believe this is mis-priced.
The Spaniard, who was strongly tipped to win last week’s Open de España, is certainly in good form. However, we suspect his recent fortunes may be about to shift.
The disappointment of his playoff loss to Angel Hidalgo last weekend, combined with the demands of being a new father to a baby daughter, could distract him from becoming the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner this week.
A week of rest and recuperation will have undoubtedly benefited McIlroy, making him our top pick for the tournament. Bookmaker Pinnacle has set his odds at 8.071 for lifting the trophy in St. Andrews, which we consider an extremely attractive proposition.
Best Rugby Union Predictions This Week
The 2024/25 Premiership Rugby season enters its third week with a round of exciting match-ups. Here are our expert betting tips for two of the upcoming fixtures.
Northampton Saints vs. Harlequins – Saints -11.5 @ 1.934
Northampton’s victory last weekend was a welcome return to form, and they will be eager to capitalise on that momentum. Up next, they will face Harlequins, a team they have been dominant against on home soil. We have reasons to believe that the trend will continue this weekend as well.
The Northampton Saints picked up their first win of the season with a hard-fought 30-24 victory over the Exeter Chiefs on home turf. The Saints held a slender 13-7 lead at the halftime break before unleashing a devastating double strike, crossing the try line twice in quick succession to establish a commanding 27-7 advantage.
Despite conceding two converted tries in the final 12 minutes, Northampton managed to cling to their lead and secure a victory. Before this triumph, the Saints suffered a 38-16 defeat at Bath in their season opener.
The Harlequins delivered a stellar first-half performance against the Newcastle Falcons at home last weekend. Although the Quins got off to a rocky start, conceding a converted try just five minutes in, they quickly found their rhythm. They struck back with three unanswered converted tries in the 14th, 23rd, and 31st minutes, storming into the break with a commanding 21-7 lead.
They couldn’t have asked for a better start to the second half, crossing the line for their fourth try just a minute after the restart to widen their lead. However, Newcastle clawed back seven points 14 minutes later, igniting a spark of hope.
Earlier, the Harlequins had faced a narrow defeat in their opening fixture of the season, falling 12-11 to the Sale Sharks away from home.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: October 2nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Franklin’s Gardens has not been a happy hunting ground for Harlequins. They have returned empty handed in all of their past four visits to the Saints arena. Even though they were excellent against the Falcons last weekend, it would be quite difficult to replicate that performance in Northampton.
We predict that the home team will easily cover the -11.5 point spread, offering bettors a lucrative payout of 1.934 times their wager.
Sale Sharks vs. Gloucester – Gloucester to Win @ 3.070
Gloucester may have had a poor season last time out but after losing in round one this season, they bounced back with a scintillating performance last weekend to beat Bristol. If they can sustain that spirit at the Salford Community Stadium under Friday night lights, they might be up for an incredible win on the road.
Sale have had a successful couple of seasons, reaching the final in 2022/23 and the semi-finals in 2023/24. They’re aiming for another strong finish in the top four this year. However, the season hasn’t kicked off quite as they would have hoped. In round one, they scraped through at home with a narrow 12-11 victory over Harlequins in a rather scrappy affair.
The Sharks were outclassed by Saracens last weekend, falling 45-26. Sale’s defence was repeatedly breached, and their attack struggled to find its rhythm.
Despite leading 13-12 at halftime, their discipline unravelled in the second half, leading to a staggering seven penalties. Saracens exploited Sale’s errors, scoring just one more try but ultimately dominating the match due to Sale’s poor discipline.
Gloucester kicked off their season with a 35-26 defeat at home to Saracens a fortnight ago. While it wasn’t a huge surprise, losing on home turf is never the ideal start. After a couple of decent seasons, last year was a disappointment for Gloucester, and they’ll be eager to demonstrate significant improvement this time around.
The Cherry and Whites achieved a remarkable victory on enemy turf, securing a thrilling 44-41 win over Bristol. The visitors appeared to be in cruise control at half-time with a 28-15 lead, but a resilient second-half performance from Bristol pushed the match to the limit. However, Gloucester dug deep and secured their first Premiership win at Ashton Gate in seven attempts.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: October 2nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Head coach George Skivington has transformed Gloucester into one of the most exciting attacking units in the division. Sale’s backline displayed significant vulnerabilities against Saracens, and they may face an even sterner test this week against Gloucester. We’re backing the away team to secure the win here, with bookmaker Pinnacle offering odds of 3.070.
Best Rugby League Prediction This Week
The Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers will meet in the 2024 NRL grand final at Accor Stadium on Sunday evening. Here is what we expect to happen.
Melbourne Storm vs. Penrith Panthers – Storm to Win @ 1.925
A historic clash awaits at Accor Stadium on Sunday as the two most dominant teams of the modern era collide in a grand final for the ages.
The defending premiers, Penrith, have etched their names in rugby league folklore by becoming the first team since the legendary South Sydney Rabbitohs of the late ‘60s (1967-71) to feature in five consecutive grand finals. Meanwhile, the minor premiers, Melbourne, are set for their fifth decider in the past nine seasons.
The Panthers and Storm have dominated the NRL grand final stage, featuring in seven of the last eight since 2016, with only the Roosters and Raiders interrupting their reign in 2019.
Both finalists secured impressive victories in the preliminary finals, but the Roosters and Sharks staged spirited second-half comebacks to keep Storm and Panthers supporters on the edge of their seats.
Craig Bellamy’s men reigned supreme over the Panthers in 2024, blanking them 8-0 in round one and securing a nail-biting 24-22 victory at BlueBet Stadium in round 24, courtesy of a late Nick Meaney penalty goal.
The Storm claimed the only grand final victory between these two sides in 2020. However, the Panthers have dominated the competition since then, and now stand on the brink of history. A fourth consecutive premiership would make them the first team since the legendary Dragons (1956-66) to achieve such a feat.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: October 2nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Panthers certainly have the edge when it comes to NRL grand final experience. 13 players in their current squad know what it’s like to play the biggest game of the season, while only four in the Melbourne camp can claim this.
That said, it seems unlikely that the Panthers’ incredible NRL grand final record will be enough to get them across the finish line on Sunday. Melbourne Storm have been nothing less than remarkable this season. They have won the minor premiership and beat the defending champions in both of their previous meetings.
So, we don’t see any reason not to back Melbourne here. Supporting a Storm win could land you a tidy 1.925x return with bookmaker Pinnacle.
Best Football Predictions This Week
Fixtures are coming in thick and fast for the top Premier League clubs. After their midweek European excursions, another gruelling week of Premier League action awaits this weekend. Let’s have a look at the best football bets you can place in the coming days:
Porto vs. Manchester United – Over Three Goals to Be Scored @ 2.330
Manchester United look to redeem themselves after a disappointing Premier League loss to Tottenham. They travel to the Estadio do Dragão to face Portuguese powerhouse Porto in their second Europa League fixture of the season on Thursday night.
The Red Devils were comprehensively beaten 3-0 at home by Spurs, while Porto enjoyed a dominant 4-0 win over Arouca in the Primeira Liga.
Manchester United have endured their most dismal start to a Premier League season in club history, accumulating a meagre seven points and suffering three defeats in their first six matches. The Red Devils’ recent 3-0 humiliation at home to Tottenham, condemned as “disgusting” and “one of the worst performances” under Erik ten Hag by former defender Gary Neville, has left fans reeling.
Ten Hag’s reign at Manchester United has been marred by a series of heavy defeats, with ten losses by a margin of three goals or more, including two this season alone. Despite investing over £600 million in new signings and promoting several academy players to the first team, Ten Hag is struggling to find excuses for the Red Devils’ disappointing performances.
In stark contrast to Manchester United’s struggles, Porto have enjoyed a stellar start to their domestic campaign. The Portuguese giants have won six of their seven Primeira Liga matches, outscoring their opponents 16-1. Their only blemish during this impressive run was a narrow 2-0 defeat against the league leaders and defending champions, Sporting Lisbon, in late August.
The Dragons’ latest triumph came on Sunday at home against a 10-man Arouca side. Second-half goals from Samu Omorodion, Nico Gonzalez, Galeno, and Deniz Gul sealed a comfortable 4-0 victory, cementing their position as the league’s runner-up.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: October 2nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Manchester United’s last four European away games have seen a total of 23 goals, and their defensive frailties under Ten Hag remain a concern. With that in mind, we’re expecting over three goals to be scored in this match.
West Ham United vs. Ipswich Town – Both Teams to Score & Draw @ 5.050
West Ham United welcome Ipswich Town to the London Stadium for a Saturday afternoon Premier League kickabout, as the struggling Tractor Boys search for their elusive first victory of the season.
The Hammers initially made a promising start to the season, securing a convincing 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace following a narrow defeat to Aston Villa in the opening fixture. However, they have subsequently suffered defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea, and shared the spoils with Fulham and Brentford.
West Ham have a more favourable run of fixtures coming up, so they will be targeting these games to add some valuable points to their tally. However, Ipswich appear to be a tough nut to crack.
Kieran McKenna’s men held their own against Liverpool in their season opener, eventually succumbing to a 2-0 defeat. Then they gave the current champions Manchester City a scare by taking the lead at the Etihad. An Erling Haaland hat-trick, however, turned the tie on its head.
Ipswich have remained unbeaten since then, securing draws against Fulham, Brighton, Southampton, and Aston Villa. If their match against West Ham ends in a stalemate as well, they will become the first team in four years to draw five Premier League matches in succession.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: October 2nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
All signs point to a draw in this one, and we’re likely to see goals at both ends. Ipswich have failed to score in just two of their six matches, while Julen Lopetegui’s side have found the back of the net in five of their six games. Bookmaker Pinnacle is offering a generous return for this outcome.
Leicester City vs. Bournemouth – Both Teams to Score & Bournemouth to Win @ 3.900
Bournemouth will eye back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they travel to the East Midlands to take on Leicester City on Saturday at the King Power Stadium.
Bournemouth’s blistering start against Southampton on Monday saw them race into a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime. Despite a late consolation goal from the visitors, the Cherries secured a comfortable 3-1 victory.
Leicester, meanwhile, put up a spirited fight against Arsenal, even managing to level the score at 2-2. However, two stoppage-time goals condemned the Foxes to a heartbreaking 4-2 defeat.
Leicester City’s return to the Premier League has been a challenging one, as many predicted following a turbulent summer. Currently languishing in 17th place with a mere three points from six matches, the Foxes have struggled to find their footing.
The departure of key figures like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Enzo Maresca to Chelsea has left a significant void that has been difficult to fill. The pressure is mounting on new manager Steve Cooper to turn the tide.
Bournemouth’s Premier League campaign, on the other hand, has been a night and day difference to Leicester’s struggles.
The Cherries have flourished under the guidance of Andoni Iraola, accumulating eight points from six matches and currently occupying 11th place. This promising start suggests that Bournemouth could surpass their 12th-place finish from last season, as the club continues to make strides under the leadership of their new boss.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: October 2nd, 12:00 AM (GMT)
Bournemouth have come out on top in three of the last four encounters between the two teams. We are confident that they will beat the Foxes once again, but it seems unlikely that Jamie Vardy and company will not be able to score at least once in front of their home crowd.
The Best Bets to Make This Week
Thanks for being with us till the end! Since this was quite a lengthy read let’s give you a short recap of the wagers we are backing this week:
- MOUZ vs. paiN – paiN to win @ 2.570
- Bilibili vs. MAD Lions KOI – Bilibili under 19.5 points @ 1.826
- Top Esports vs. T1 – Top Esports to win @ 1.884
- Rory Mcllroy to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship @ 8.071
- Northampton Saints vs. Harlequins – Saints -11.5 @ 1.934
- Sale Sharks vs. Gloucester – Gloucester to win @ 3.070
- Melbourne Storm vs. Penrith Panthers – Storm to win @ 1.925
- Porto vs. Manchester United – over three goals to be scored @ 2.330
- West Ham United vs. Ipswich Town – both teams to score & draw @ 5.050
- Leicester City vs. Bournemouth – both teams to score & Bournemouth to win @ 3.900
As usual, it’s golf that presents the most lucrative betting opportunity of the week. Given Mcllroy’s recent form, we are confident of his Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title credentials.
