Free Soccer Picks and Predictions – EPL, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga Bets for the Week Ending Sunday October 17

Last updated: Dec 20, 2023, 12:13PM | Published: Oct 13, 2021, 11:17PM

The best free soccer handicapper in the game is back for another week, with the great Prospector Sam providing free picks for all the action across Europe.

Hello old friend. Well, not exactly old, but a week off from anything feels like an eternity these days with the gluttony of sports running 24/7, and soccer’s insistence on having these annoying international breaks every few weeks is really getting in the way of my pure degeneracy. But hey, there’s no use crying over spilt milk (or, more likely for most of my readers, spilt beer or booze depending on how well the gambling is going) and we’re back with another full slate of picks all across Europe.

Unfortunately, I’ve also recognized I need to cut back a bit. While I love writing and wish I could spend all of my time giving out picks and writing jokes that make me (and hopefully you) laugh, I’m getting stretched pretty thin between the real job and 3 articles a week. Rather than charging head first until I spiral into a pit of despair when I inevitably crash, I’m going to make a concerted effort to pick slightly fewer games (think 6-8 per week) so that I can keep enjoying this hobby. The reality is, until I hit the lottery or get a big enough following to do this for real, I just can’t handle more than that over a long period. The good news? Hopefully it cuts some of the fluff, both in the picks and the writing, and you get nothing but the best from your favorite gambling cartoon. Only one way to find out, I suppose.

MORE: This week's best sportsbook offers

Without further ado, picks ⤵️

Prospector Sam's soccer picks are proudly brought to you by BetMGM.

‍Free Premier League Picks For Week 8, 2021-22

Leicester vs. Man Utd, Sat Oct 16, 10:00am (EST)

What better way to kick things off than with an interesting matchup between two teams who can’t seem to get out of their own way. United, despite all the hope that came along with the return of Ronaldo, are still struggling to win games that they should handle easily, while Leicester just plain suck. Now, admittedly, it’s hard to say things are all that bad for the Red Devils since they sit 4th and are only two points off the top, but a loss to Villa and draw against Everton in their last two matches won’t please the entitled United fans who are used to having those wins handed to them. All that aside, I’m not touching either team on the ML right now given their erratic play, but I do love the over. Leicester have conceded multiple goals in each of their last 3 games, which is obviously a problem. Even more problematic, their opponents were Brighton, Burnley and Crystal Palace, none of whom are loaded with offensive talent. While United have had a rough patch scoring recently, they should be good for one or two in this match. As for Leicester, Vardy is still putting in goals at an impressive clip and United’s back line isn’t exactly world class (which makes sense, because nothing about Harry McGuire is world class unless you count running like a drunk giraffe). The value isn’t crazy at -126, but I think the play is good and the payout is decent enough to bet it.

⛏️ PICK: Total goals OVER 2.5 (-126)

MORE: Leicester vs. Man Utd simulator

Brentford vs. Chelsea, Sat Oct 16, 12:30pm (EST)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it many more times, but sometimes gambling isn’t about being clever. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how obvious or boring the pick is, what matters is finding value and being right. So, while I’m not shattering anyone with a mindblowing choice by taking Chelsea ML here, I don’t give a single fuck if we can all make money on it. And, to be honest, getting them at -175 in this game is a steal. Chelsea are one of the best teams in the world (you know it’s true because of how much that hurts a Spurs fan to say), while Brentford are an overperforming club who probably end the year in the 13-15th place range. As the soccer phrase goes, form is temporary but class is permanent, and that about sums up the difference between these two teams. I expect Chelsea to bully Brentford all over the field, and I don’t see how the home side keep up in this one. Take a big hack here.

⛏️ PICK: Chelsea moneyline (-175)

MORE: Brentford vs. Chelsea simulator

Newcastle vs. Tottenham Sun Oct 17, 11:30am (EST)

This is probably an awful idea and bad sign for things to come, but I love Spurs in this match. For one, it may be our last chance to beat Newcastle before their new Oil Baron owners pump billions into the club and make them a perennial contender, so I want to savor this moment while I still can. But, as far as the actual teams playing in this match are concerned, Spurs are just a far better unit. Newcastle are in 18th with 16 goals conceded through 7 games, which Tottenham should be able to take advantage of considering the plethora of attacking options at their disposal. While Spurs’ defense continues to be a concern so long as Eric Dier and Davinson Sanchez are anywhere near stepping foot on the pitch, they should be able to hold down most of this Newcastle team and Hojbjerg is good enough to contain Saint-Maximin. And, at positive odds for Spurs to win a game they should handle comfortably, the value is great here too. Rooting for and betting on Spurs is a roller coaster ride, so don’t expect this one to come easy, but I do think they win this match.

⛏️ PICK: Tottenham ML (+110)

MORE: Newcastle vs. Tottenham simulator

Free La Liga Picks For Week 9, 2021-22

Villareal vs. Osasuna, Sun Oct 17, 12:30pm (EST)

These days, you could basically just bet the under in every La Liga game and expect to make some money. Well, not so much any more, since the books have fairly well adjusted to the lack of goals being scored, but it’s still never a bad play. And, in line with that trend, I love the under in this match. Osasuna actually have the second highest game goal total in the league, but that total (22 in 8 games) still doesn’t even reach the three goal number which says a lot. Villareal, meanwhile, have made it their purpose to suffocate the life out of every match, and they do it better than Joaquin Phoenix smothering his mother with a pillow in “Joker.” Villareal have conceded just 3 goals through 7 while only scoring 8, which tells you this doesn’t set up for a hell of a lot of excitement. Where’s the value? Well, because of Osasuna, this game still has a fairly decent -120 line for under 2.5, which feels extremely generous unless you believe the away side is going to dictate the pace of play against the reigning Europa champions. I do not, and I think this game might struggle to even eclipse the 1 goal mark. Take the under and do anything but watch.

⛏️ PICK: Total goals UNDER 2.5 (-120)

MORE: Villareal vs. Osasuna simulator

Free Bundesliga Picks For Week 8, 2021-22

Union Berlin vs. Wolfsburg, Sat Oct 16, 9:30am (EST)

Well, after mentioning my lack of creativity earlier in the article, I figured I had to do something to fix that. And, at +160 on the ML for Wolfsburg in this game (my pick here, if you couldn’t tell), we’re getting fairly risky for a single game bet. But, while the books don’t have a ton of faith in Wolfsburg here, I think this match sets up well for them. The away side have had a tough run of form recently, but they’re extremely difficult to break down which will pose problems for a Union team who’ve only managed 10 goals in 7 games. And, while Wolfsburg aren’t scoring all that well either, this team is still riddled with talent and was good enough to finish in the top 5 for goals scored last season in the Bundesliga. I think they get their attack back into form over the next couple of months, and their defensive record inspires confidence against Union, who are punching above their weight any time they face one of the top 5 or 6 teams in Germany. The money is solid at +160, and I like Wolfsburg to handle this match.

⛏️ PICK: Wolfsburg ML (+160)‍

Free Serie A Picks For Week 8, 2021-22

Lazio vs. Inter, Sat Oct 16, 12:00pm (EST)

Unlike the ineptitude and boredom that flows through the blood of La Liga these days, Serie A provides life and excitement to fans. Goals are plentiful in pretty much every match, even between big clubs, and it’s awesome to watch if you’re looking for a new league to pop in on. So, in line with that trend, we’re taking the over in this battle between Italian giants. Inter are scoring at a pretty outrageous clip to start the season (22 goals in 7 games), and both teams hover around the 4 goals per game mark as far as the total for their matches, so 3+ seems extremely likely. While important ties between top clubs often have a tendency to be stale and slow, this one doesn’t set up for that at all and both sides will attack knowing they likely need AT LEAST 2 goals to win this game. At -146 the number may not feel all that great, but that’s actually pretty generous when you consider the form of these two and I would take it anywhere close to -200. This is a bet I’ll be hammering, and will still find time to tune in for even with all the college football kicking off at the same hour.

⛏️ PICK: Toal goals OVER 2.5 (-146)

Free Ligue One Picks For Week 10, 2021-22

ESTAC Troyes vs, Nice, Sun Oct 17, 7:00am (EST)

Someone please explain to me what I’m missing here. Seriously. Troyes are a pretty horrendous side with 6 points through 9 games and very little quality anywhere on the pitch. Nice, meanwhile, have 18 points through 9 games and a +13 GD which is pretty goddamn impressive over a quarter of the season. But, somehow, they’re barely a favorite to win this game at -115? Once again, I’ll just say I don’t get it. Sure, Nice will regress over the next six months and drop to the 5-8 range in the table where they belong, but that still puts them well above a Troyes side who are a likely relegation club that haven’t adjusted well at all to life in the top flight. It’s not exactly rocket science to figure out that this line doesn’t make a lot of sense, and It’s probably my favorite bet of the weekend. Take Nice to handle their business.

⛏️ PICK: Nice moneyline (-115)

Free Swiss Super League Picks for Week 10, 2021-22

Scion vs. Basel, Sun Oct 17, 10:30am (EST)

Nevermind, I found one I like even better. Basel are, to put it mildly, way fucking better than Scion. Basel are in first place in the league and have pretty consistently blown the doors off all the midlevel-to-crappy Swiss teams in the Super League (basically, almost everyone but Young Boys), and a match with Scion who average a point per game and have a -10 GD through 9 shapes up to be an absolute nightmare for the home side. Not a lot of value, right? Wrong. Basel are just -130 here which is an absolute gift considering the gulf in talent between these two clubs, and Basel should have no problem putting this game away comfortably. One thing I’ve learned at this stage in my life is to accept people’s generosity (if you offer to give me help, I will absolutely take it rather than being bashful), and I will gladly do so here if the books are going to offer me this kind of value.

⛏️ PICK: Basel moneyline (-130)

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Prospector Sam

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Prospector Sam is a cartoon man that handicaps as well as anyone on the planet. No one knows exactly who The Prospector is, but what is known is how well he does from sports betting. A Boston native, but now based in the goldfields somewhere, Sam is the man when it comes to betting on sports, especially soccer in Europe where he finds value all year long.

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