Football betting tips: Mercado goalscorer among three picks for 11 October

Arthur Wandji, a sports betting expert and Cameroonian journalist, has selected three matches for an accumulator on 11 October, with the picks covering a goalscorer market, a match-score option and team corners.

Sparta Prague v Pardubice – 16:00 GMT

Betting option: John Mercado to score – odds 3.06

John Mercado is Sparta Prague’s leading scorer this season with four goals. The Ecuadorian winger, who can operate on either flank, was also on target in the club’s most recent league match, a 3-0 away win at Sigma Olomouc on 20 September.

His availability, expected playing time and whether he starts will be important factors before backing him in the goalscorer market. At odds of 3.06, the selection offers an appealing return, although it carries more risk than betting on the result of the match.

Sparta Prague have won their past five matches in convincing fashion, including the 3-0 victory at Sigma Olomouc. Pardubice have also won their previous four games, but they are expected to be without several players, including Bammens Simon and Vojtech Patrak.

Benfica v Vitoria de Guimaraes – 17:00 GMT

Betting option: match score of 2-0 or 0-2 – odds 1.54

Benfica have scored 22 goals in their opening seven league matches, making them the most prolific attack in the Portuguese championship. Vangelis Pavlidis has been a major contributor, with eight goals to his name.

The case for a Benfica victory without conceding is strengthened by Vitoria de Guimaraes’ recent away record in the league. They have lost their past five matches on the road.

Benfica do have some selection concerns, with Georgiy Sudakov and Alexander Bah among those whose availability is uncertain. Clement Lenglet is suspended.

A 2-0 Benfica win appears more consistent with the available trends than a 0-2 result. However, the selection provides two possible winning scorelines.

Besiktas v Kocaelispor – 16:00 GMT

Betting option: Besiktas to win more than 5.5 corners – odds 1.41

Besiktas have averaged nine corners across their past four league matches, according to the available statistics. That figure supports a bet on the Istanbul club recording more than 5.5 corners.

Recent head-to-head meetings also offer encouragement, with the last three recorded encounters producing an average of 7.3 corners in total.

Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is a doubt. Kocaelispor could be without Tanguy Zoukrou, Massadio Haidara, Rigoberto Rivas, Tobias Gulliksen, Bruno Petkovic and Aleksandar Jovanovic.

With odds of 1.41, the 5.5-corner line remains attainable based on Besiktas’s recent average and the expected absences in the opposition squad.

Odds may change.