Football Multi Bet: $9.24 Tip for Sunday

I’ve put together a football multi bet across three pre-season friendlies kicking off on Sunday morning NZT. Two home sides with league titles to their name and a totals play in Nashville – with combined odds at $9.24, it’s worth a punt before the competitive season ramps up. If you’re keen on some football betting this weekend, this is where I’d be getting involved.

Sunday July 26, 2:00am NZT, Celtic Park

I’m backing Celtic here largely because of where both sides are in their preparation. AC Milan finished fifth in Serie A last season, but this is their first pre-season game – they haven’t kicked a ball since May. Celtic have three friendlies under their belt already and, more importantly, their World Cup players are now available for the first time this summer.

Celtic haven’t won any of those three warmups, and I get why that might put you off. But Camilo Duran has scored in consecutive games, and the squad is now significantly stronger than it was for the 4-1 loss to Sporting in the Algarve. 

I’d rather back the side with match fitness over one turning up cold to Celtic Park on day one. $2.20 feels right.

Sunday July 26, 7:00am NZT, Estadio do Dragao

Villa won the Europa League last season and have the UEFA Super Cup against PSG on August 12. But that’s exactly why they won’t be at full strength here – five players are still resting after World Cup duty, including John McGinn and Ollie Watkins, and new signing Johan Manzambi is injured on top of that.

Porto won the Primeira Liga for the 31st time last season with 16 victories from their first 17 league games. They’re at the Dragao, they’re two friendlies into their pre-season already, and Villa’s absentee list is long enough for me to feel comfortable at $2.10. 

You won’t often get a domestic champion at home priced above evens, even in pre-season, and I’d be checking new betting sites for anything better.

Sunday July 26, 10:00am NZT, GEODIS Park, Nashville

I’m not picking a winner in this one. 

Liverpool’s squad for Nashville will be mostly youngsters and fringe players – their World Cup contingent haven’t returned, and this is the first game of Andoni Iraola’s tenure. Sunderland, who finished seventh in the Premier League and qualified for the Europa League, beat York City 5-1 in their opener on July 18. They’ll be sharper.

Goals feel inevitable though. 

Pre-season tours in the US tend to produce open, expansive games, and both sides will want to give minutes to as many players as possible. No one’s dropping deep in 35-degree Nashville heat. Liverpool’s depth is real even without their first-choice XI. 

Over 2.5 at $2.00 on legal betting sites is the play here.