Football betting tips: Our expert's four best Saturday wagers

Football

Betting

Fri, 28 Aug 2026

After successfully putting up three winners from five selections on his Saturday column last time out, Odds Now's football tipster Matt Hill returns with four fancies for this upcoming weekend of action.

A profitable Saturday saw Matt land winners on Preston vs Wolves, Blackpool at Stockport and Carlisle against Hornchurch for an overall profit of +4.53pts.

This week, he heads across the Premier League and EFL in search of more winners, starting with Coventry's first home game back in the top flight.

Expert football betting tips – Saturday August 29th 2026

Coventry to beat Hull – 9/10 (Betfred)

Coventry and Hull experienced contrasting fortunes on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. The Sky Blues were well beaten by reigning champions Arsenal, while Hull produced one of the results of the weekend by stunning Manchester United 2-0.

Those results have naturally had an impact on the market, but I still rate Coventry as clearly the better of these two newly-promoted sides and, with home advantage thrown in, I'm happy to back them at just shy of even money.

I don't think we should read too much into Coventry's defeat at Arsenal. They were facing comfortably the best side in the country and, while they struggled to create chances, there were still some nice moments in possession against a defence that proved virtually impenetrable at times last season.

Hull deserve plenty of credit for their victory over Manchester United, although both goals came from set pieces and I remain unconvinced by their threat from open play.

The Tigers did hold Coventry to two goalless draws in the Championship last season, which was no mean feat against the division's highest scorers. However, the circumstances are very different this time around.

This is Coventry's first home game back in the Premier League in 25 years and the atmosphere should be bouncing. That vibrant home support was a major part of their success last season and I expect to see much more of the side that strolled to the Championship title.

Hull's set-piece threat needs respecting, but Coventry should dominate possession and I fancy their extra quality to eventually tell.

Wolves to beat Stoke and over 1.5 goals – 3/4 (bet365)

Wolves have made a very strong start to life in the Championship, particularly in front of goal, and I expect them to be right up there challenging for the title this season.

They arguably possess the best attack in the second tier. There is plenty of creativity in midfield, exciting options out wide and Raul Jimenez leading the line, so this looks like a team that should score plenty of goals over the course of the campaign.

Stoke's start has been far less convincing. Defeats at home to Swansea and away at Southampton have increased the early pressure, while they were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties by Hull.

There appears to be some concern among the fanbase about where the season might be heading, and Stoke are clearly still looking to strengthen in forward areas having missed out on Ben Brereton Diaz this week.

The one positive is that they have carried a goal threat, finding the net in both of their league matches so far.

That makes the Wolves win and over 1.5 match goals combination particularly appealing. The hosts look the superior side and are in much better form, while adding the extra goal gives us a perfectly realistic route to a better price.

Plymouth to beat Bradford and both teams to score – 16/5 (Unibet)

Plymouth's start to the season hasn't been as bad as the bare results might suggest.

They beat local rivals Exeter 2-0 in the Carabao Cup and, while it wasn't exactly a swashbuckling performance, they found a way to win against opponents who were always going to be fired up for the occasion.

The opening-day 3-1 home defeat to Stockport caused a little panic, but Stockport are a very good side at this level and may simply have caught Plymouth cold. A battling draw away at Wycombe last time out was a useful result and they'll now be desperate to return to Home Park and properly kick-start their league campaign.

There has been plenty of change for Tom Cleverley to contend with, not least the departure of star striker Lorent Tolaj to Bristol City and speculation surrounding Bim Pepple. However, I rate Cleverley highly after the job he did last season and still believe Plymouth are one of the stronger sides in League One.

Bradford should provide a stern test. Graham Alexander's side have started well and look capable of challenging towards the top end of the division again, but I don't expect them to have things all their own way at Home Park.

The Bantams have carried a goal threat and I fancy them to get on the scoresheet, but Plymouth should improve as the season progresses and this looks a good opportunity for them to make home advantage count.

At the prices, 16/5 for Plymouth to win with both teams scoring is worth chancing.

Crawley vs Bristol Rovers Over 2.5 goals @ 19/20 and 3.5 goals @ 12/5

This looks like a meeting between two sides who may decide that attack is the best form of defence this season.

Crawley have shown plenty of attacking intent under Colin Kazim-Richards. The former striker appears determined to get his team playing on the front foot and, although they drew a blank at Crewe, there were mitigating circumstances after being reduced to ten men shortly after half-time and eventually finishing with nine.

They scored twice at Rochdale last weekend and also found the net twice against York in the Carabao Cup. Particularly at home, I expect Crawley to accept that trying to outscore teams may be their best route to results.

Bristol Rovers have certainly done their bit for the goals markets already. Their opening league matches produced a 3-2 defeat at York and a remarkable 5-3 victory over Newport, before another 2-2 draw in cup competition.

I've been impressed by Rovers. There wasn't much between them and York on the opening day and they responded brilliantly after falling behind inside a minute against Newport, eventually turning the game around in emphatic fashion.

There is little to suggest the entertainment will suddenly stop here. Rovers look capable of scoring plenty, while Crawley aren't the type of side I expect to sit back and accept defeat.

Something like 2-1 or 3-1 wouldn't surprise me, so I'll play both goal lines and take the bigger price on four or more goals for a smaller stake.

Matt Hill's best football bets for Saturday August 29th 2026

3pts - Coventry to beat Hull – 9/10 (Betfred)

3pts - Wolves to beat Stoke and over 1.5 match goals – 3/4 (bet365)

1pt - Plymouth to beat Bradford and both teams to score – 16/5 (Unibet)

2pts - Crawley vs Bristol Rovers over 2.5 goals – 19/20 (bet365)

1pt - Crawley vs Bristol Rovers over 3.5 goals – 12/5 (William Hill)

Total staked - 10pts

Matt Hill's Saturday betting record

2026/27 columns - 1

Last weekend: 3 winners, 2 losers

Season total staked: 10pts

Season total returned: 14.53pts

Profit/Loss: +4.53pts

ROI: +45.3%

Saturday August 22nd 2026 column

Matt Hill

Darts

Football

Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.

Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.

He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.

When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.

Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.

When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.