talkSPORT tips – Best football bets and expert advice for Monday 25 May

Despite the European football calendar drawing to a close for the 2025/26 season, there are still several matches left to play before the World Cup gets underway.

On Monday, there is a League Two play-off final, a Bundesliga play-off and MLS action among others to look forward to.

We have a trio of selections which make up our best bets of the day.

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Monday Football Tips – May 25

Bet of the Day – Wolfsburg to beat Paderborn @ 19/20

Bundesliga regulars Wolfsburg have found themselves in a bit of a pickle this season.

After winning just seven of their 34 matches, the 2009 champions finished the campaign in 16th place. As such, a play-off with Paderborn awaited, who finished third in 2. Bundesliga.

The first leg finished 0-0, but Wolfsburg dominated throughout, registering 17 shots and enjoying 63 per-cent possession during the 90 minutes.

For the second leg, Paderborn will be without defender Jonah Sticker due to him being sent off in the first leg.

Wolfsburg have won two of the previous three top flight encounters between the clubs and Dieter Hecking will be desperate to preserve Die Wölfe’s Bundesliga status.

Special of the Day – Inter Miami to win, Lionel Messi to score and over 2.5 goals bet builder in Inter Miami vs Philadelphia Union @ 11/10

Inter Miami have been in excellent form of late, winning their previous three MLS matches, scoring 11 goals in the process. Philadelphia Union, however, are winless in seven games and have not beaten Miami since 2023.

Lionel Messi is warming up for the World Cup nicely and is Miami’s top scorer this term with 13 goals already. The Argentinian magician has scored in four successive MLS games heading into this clash.

Three or more goals have been scored in the last six matchups between these clubs. Furthermore, three of Miami’s previous four games have featured three or more goals, with two of Union’s last three games seeing this bet land.

Longshot of the Day – Los Angeles FC, Salford and St Mirren to win treble @ 7/1

The longshot of the day treble starts off with Los Angeles FC defeating Seattle Sounders. 

Despite losing their last three games, Los Angeles did come out on top the previous time these sides met, securing a 4-0 victory. Only three points separates the two in the Western Conference. 

Home advantage could prove crucial, so expect Los Angeles to end their losing streak and get back to winning ways.

The League Two Playoff final takes place on Monday and it promises to be a tight affair between Notts County and Salford City at Wembley.

Salford finished one point clear of their opponents in the regular season and have won five successive matches against Notts County. That should inspire them to seal a place in League One for next season.

The Premiership playoff in Scotland is finely poised after the first leg finished 1-1 between Partick Thistle and St Mirren.

Thistle haven’t played in the top tier since 2018, but face a battle during the second leg. The Buddies won the League Cup last December against Celtic and will be keen to remain in the Premiership.

This will be the Jags’ fourth game in just 13 days, so expect St Mirren to emerge victorious during the second leg.

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