talkSPORT tips – Best football bets and expert advice on Friday 20 February

Friday’s football schedule serves up a trio of intriguing fixtures across England, Spain and Germany and each offers a strong angle for punters looking to start the weekend on the front foot.

From a fiery Lancashire derby to a potentially goal-laden Bundesliga clash via a resurgent La Liga side back on the European trail, here are the standout bets for tonight’s action.

GET UP TO £30 WHEN YOU BET ON THE FOOTBALL WITH talkSPORT BET

Friday football tips

Bet of the Day – Both Teams to Score in Blackburn Rovers v Preston North End @ 1/1

A Lancashire derby at Ewood Park rarely disappoints and this edition looks primed for goals at both ends.

Blackburn’s defensive issues have been well documented and even Michael O’Neill’s positive start – a 3-1 win at QPR – doesn’t disguise the fact that Rovers have struggled to keep clean sheets for months. Their home form has been particularly fragile, and they remain only three points above the drop zone.

Preston, meanwhile, have rediscovered some rhythm after a bleak January. A draw at Ipswich and a win over Portsmouth preceded last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Watford and Paul Heckingbottom’s side have lost only two of their last 10 away league matches.

With both teams showing far more attacking threat than defensive stability, BTTS looks the most reliable angle in a derby that traditionally produces chances.

Special of the Day – Athletic Bilbao to Win & Both Teams to Score v Elche @ was 13/5 boosted to 11/4

Athletic Bilbao have an opportunity to strengthen their European push when they host Elche at San Mames, but nothing suggests this will be straightforward.

Ernesto Valverde’s side have pieced together some positive results – back‑to‑back league wins over the bottom two – but defensive injuries and Nico Williams’ fragile fitness continue to undermine their progress.

Bilbao’s clean sheet drought now stretches beyond two months, with the goal they conceded to basement dwellers Real Oviedo last weekend extending a run of defensive lapses that have become increasingly bizarre. Even their 0-0 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in December required five crucial saves from Unai Simon.

Elche, meanwhile, arrive with confidence in the final third. They have scored in nine of their last 10 La Liga matches, including their last four away from home. Their ability to find a goal on the road makes them dangerous opponents, even if their defensive record leaves plenty to be desired.

Bilbao should still have enough quality to edge the contest, but the best value lies in the hosts to win and both teams to score, with a 2-1 home victory fitting the pattern of both sides’ recent form.

Longshot of the Day – Nadiem Amiri to Score & Draw – Mainz v Hamburg @ 15/1

Friday’s Bundesliga clash between Mainz and Hamburg promises goals, chaos and very little separation between the sides.

Mainz saw their three‑match winning run emphatically ended by Borussia Dortmund in a 4-0 defeat, while Hamburg edged Union Berlin 3-2 in a match that could easily have produced eight or nine goals.

With key defensive absences on both sides, chiefly through suspensions, chances should flow freely and Bundesliga penalty king Nadiem Amiri looks well placed to get on the scoresheet.

The 29-year-old Mainz midfielder has scored seven goals in his last eight appearances. He bagged his sixth and seventh spot-kicks of the Bundesliga season, and eighth and ninth in all competitions, against Augsburg a fortnight ago.

Given the narrow four‑point gap between the teams and their matching form lines, a 2-2 draw appeals, with Amiri to score adding value to the betting angle.

GET UP TO £30 WHEN YOU BET ON THE FOOTBALL WITH talkSPORT BET

Odds correct at time of publish and subject to change*

18+ New customers only. Opt in via mobile or app & bet £10+ on any football market at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 6x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org