While Sunday is NFL day in America, not a single play will be run before 1 p.m. ET, meaning you have plenty of time to examine the soccer odds board and get your bets in on a different kind of football.
Below, Nick Hennion and Brett Pund have identified their top bets to make, with a catch: Each game kicks off at 11:30 a.m. ET or earlier, meaning they will also end right around when the NFL kicks off.
Read on to see how our staff is playing the early morning slate of European soccer on Sunday.
Our 2 Early Sunday Best Bets
Celta Vigo vs. Real Sociedad
| Celta Vigo Odds | +155 |
| Sociedad Odds | +175 |
| Draw | +215 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (+125/ -150) |
| Time | 8:30 a.m. ET |
| How To Watch | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute Soccer odds here. | |
Pund: While most of the attention in Spain on Sunday will be on El Clásico, we should have an entertaining match with goals in the game before the famous derby between Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo.
La Real have been impressive offensively, even after the sale of their star striker, ranking sixth in La Liga in xG per 90 minutes (1.48) and third in big scoring chances created (28), according to fbref.com. This has also shown away from home, where only Barcelona and Real Madrid have more xG created than Sociedad.
Meanwhile, Celta seems to play a more open style at the Estadio de Balaídos, where this bet has cashed in three of four home fixtures. This is the same team that is in the bottom half of La Liga in xG allowed per match (1.4)
Another key factor that should lead to goals is the form of both goalkeepers, Agustín Marchesín and Álex Remiro. Both are towards the bottom of the league in post-shot xG minus goals allowed.
Goals have been up across the Spanish top flight, and I think that continues in the early kick on Sunday.
Pick: Over 2.25 Goals (-110 via DraftKings)
Union Berlin vs. Borussia Dortmund
| Berlin Odds | +195 |
| Dortmund Odds | +135 |
| Draw | +240 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (-110/ -110) |
| Day | Time | 11:30 a.m. ET |
| How To Watch | ESPN+ |
| Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute Soccer odds here. | |
Hennion: Both teams are coming off midweek fixtures and I’m a touch surprised the under isn't a favorite here.
At home this season, Union Berlin have played very disciplined defensively, leading to low-event matches. Through four home Bundesliga fixtures, Union have seen only 7.92 combined xG on target, including only 2.63 xG on target against.
On the flip-side, Dortmund have simultaneously featured in some low-scoring contests away from Signal Iduna Park. Although three of those four matches have cleared 2.5 goals, they’ve also seen 13 total goals against 9.21 xG on target, suggesting under regression could be on the way.
Given Union are a prime offensive regression candidate – 16 goals off 10.94 xGOT and eight big scoring chances – I expect the Dortmund defense will effectively limit Union’s scoring chances while struggling to break down an admittedly good defense.
For those reasons, bet the under to -120.
Pick:Under 2.5 Goals (-110 via FanDuel)
