Football Multi Bet: $10.59 Tip for Wednesday

Wednesday NZT has three pre-season friendlies worth putting together, and I’ve pieced a multi from across Asia that I reckon offers good value. Two handicap picks and a match result tip combine for odds above $10 on a mid-week slate.

Wednesday August 5, 12:30am NZT, True BG Stadium, Pathum Thani

Villa have been comfortable against weaker opposition on this Asia tour, even if their 2-4 loss to Real Sociedad proved they’re not invincible. They put five past Walsall before leaving England and beat Indonesia All-Stars 3-1 in Jakarta, with Emiliano Buendia scoring in the fourth minute. 

BG Pathum are competitive in Thailand’s top flight, but I’m taking Villa -2.5 at $2.80 on football betting sites. Pre-season rotation could trip this one up - it’s the riskiest leg of the three - but with Alejandro Garnacho and Evann Guessand both in the attack, I’m backing the handicap.

Wednesday August 5, 11:00pm NZT, Seoul World Cup Stadium

City drew 1-1 with Inter in Hong Kong on Saturday, Divin Mubama opening the scoring before Benjamin Pavard equalised. They lost on penalties, but Enzo Maresca will have been pleased with the 90 minutes - Phil Foden was sharp going forward and Gianluigi Donnarumma looked assured in goal.

I’d normally be cautious about backing a handicap against an All-Stars side. But Ruben Dias and Omar Marmoush linked up with the squad in Hong Kong and have travelled on to Seoul, and City are getting closer to full strength. 

On new betting sites, City -1.5 is priced at $1.80. Against a team that had about a week to gel, I’d expect City to win this by two at least.

Wednesday August 5, 11:30pm NZT, Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong

This is the tightest call of the three, and I’ll admit I’m not 100% on it.

Chelsea scored seven across their two games in Sydney - including six against Western Sydney Wanderers - but lost 1-2 to Spurs in their most recent outing. Under Xabi Alonso, the attacking intent is clearly there. Whether they can tighten up at the back is another question.

Juve haven’t lost in pre-season - two wins and a draw from three games - but they’re thin up front after Lois Openda completed his loan move to Lyon last week. I’m siding with Chelsea at $2.10 to close out this multi. Mykhailo Mudryk has rejoined the squad for the Hong Kong leg, and Chelsea have more pace in wide areas than Juve can match right now.