Football Betting Guide

Football is unarguably the most popular sport of all time. It has fans on every continent and practically in every country. However, when it comes to sports betting, users need to understand that every game has its specifics and opportunities to win big monetary rewards. Those who know the markets, players, teams, and coaches have more potential for making accurate predictions than those who know very little.

Betting on various games and sporting events has its specifics. Due to the fact that each game has its rules, the bookmaker offers markets suitable to these sports, making punters’ wagering sessions diverse and, at the same time, exciting. Every sport has a wide set of games within the popular leagues, which is very interesting because each of them has some particular features. So, if you are eager to learn more facts about betting, then check our in-depth guide to sports betting.

The purpose of this article is to tell you all about football betting, explain the most common markets, share some tips that can enhance our performance, and show you popular leagues where you can place your predictions.

How to Make Football Bets

Football bets are basically no different from others. However, the number of betting markets here is numerous. Players have a broad freedom of choice here, which is very suitable for beginners and professional punters. In this part, we will provide you with explanations of the most popular ones.

Football Bet Types

As we have already mentioned, football has plenty of betting options to offer bettors. Furthermore, if you choose to play on famous platforms, you will definitely find lots of choices. Since it is difficult to name all the existing markets, in this part of our guide we will mention the most popular ones punters use more often.

Match Outcome

It is a classic betting on the winner of the tournament. If we mean football, the most commonly used market is 1×2, where punters can choose one outcome out of three classic choices: the home team to win, the away team to succeed, or a draw.  As always, the odds here depend on many factors.

Double Chance

Many professionals find this market very attractive sometimes. Beginners try to avoid it because it offers low odds. It offers punters to choose 2 outcomes out of possible three. The basis is a 1×2 standard option. As you might see, the risk here is significantly lower because the probability for a user’s bet to win is bigger. The trick of this market is simple. Experienced bettors usually use it as their last resort when they need to keep some money.

Both Teams to Score (BTTS)

This is another interesting market that allows both teams to score. The market is pretty much self-explanatory. Here, both match participants must score at least once during the game. Even if there is a draw, like 1-1 or 2-2, and so on, your bet is a win.

It is one of the sought-after markets punters like to choose. When you see it on your bookmaker’s platform, it will offer you only two options, “Yes” or “No.” Click on any of the options and make a bet. As you have already guessed, the first option stands for both teams to score, while the second one says that no one will actually hit some goals.

Total Goals (Over/Under)

Here, punters can place a prediction on the number of goals their favorite teams can score over or under some particular number. Normally, the bookmaker offers the number of goals any of the teams is able to achieve, and your aim is to choose the limit over or under which the team plays out. It sounds easy, but proper evaluation and assessment are required on the bettor’s side.

In football, the standard line is 2.5 goals. It is the average number of points any of the competing teams can hit during the game. Such a decimal number is chosen for a reason. Obviously, nobody in this universe can score 2.5 goals. This number only indicates that a team can hit fewer or more points, so it is easy to understand and convenient to use.

Draw No Bet

This market is attractive because it allows players to bet on a draw. If you see that a game has all the potential to end in a tie, this market is perfect. Usually, it is more beneficial to bet on games where competing teams are almost equally strong. The chance of them finishing a match in a draw significantly grows.

To be more specific, if we consider a match between Barcelona and Real Madrid and place a bet that Barcelona should win, and the match ends in a draw, the bookmaker will make a refund of the staked money. If Barcelona wins, your bet also wins. In the opposite situation, your prediction fails, and you win nothing.

Correct Score

Here you have a classic choice of betting on the game outcome. It only sounds easy but in practice to take a lucky guess can cost you your money. To bet on a correct score requires knowledge because different factors can influence the course of the match. In some cases, there can be a draw or an underdog team suddenly wins in the last minute.

So, as you might see here, this market is mostly preferred by bettors who are totally involved in betting. Beginners who have no idea about the analysis, statistics, and other aspects that can send them hints on how to build this prediction better leave this market until their skills grow.

First Player to Score

As you can see from the name of this market, you need to decide which player will score the first goal in a match. Therefore, in case of a draw or if some other player opens the score, your bet will lose. In our opinion, supplemented by knowledge and experience, you have to do good research to establish the team and the player who is capable of hitting the first goal.

Handicap & Asian Handicap

These two markets are very liked by many bettors because it is a classic spread, point, and line wagering where you can provide an advance for your team or remove some points from its total balance to make it possible for a win even with its opponent. In a classic handicap, which is also called a European handicap, you can add a whole number of points to a team you are going to bet on.

A bookmaker sets a numerical figure in a way to balance the final odds due to a strong or slight preponderance in powers on the field. For instance, the A and B teams play in a match against each other. The first one is much stronger than the second one, and they have -110 odds and +300 accordingly. The second positive number shows us that B is an underdog here. However, you decide to bet on the victory of the A team anyway. So, you need to decide with the difference of how many goals minus from its initial score it can win.

In Asian handicaps, punters can see the mechanisms but with a decimal number of goals. For example, you can see +0.5 or -2.5 goals. The trick is that there are whole numbers handicaps, which is also called a 3-way handicap. If a game finishes in a draw, your stake will be returned. 

Futures Bet

When you anticipate the upcoming football season, the bookmaker can offer you to place a bet beforehand. Here, punters can make predictions for the whole season or a group of games. These future predictions have their specifics. For instance, the odds can be adjusted throughout the games because several factors influence this. 

The Biggest Football Leagues for Betting

There is hardly a bookmaker that does not offer these leagues for betting: MLS, Premier League, La Liga, and some others. These are the most popular and widely watched matches around the world. For those who have no clue about these championships we will tell all we know further in the text.

MLS

The abbreviation stands for Major League Soccer. It was formed in 1993 in the USA and Canada. The league combines all major soccer tournaments and championships in the North American and Canadian region. It includes 29 teams in total: 26 from the US and 3 from Canada. The games last from March till October, and during this period each team played 34 matches. Only 12 teams will be in a playoff that takes place from November till December and allows them to compete for the main prize.

You can find the games from this league on many Internet betting platforms. It usually includes all the markets we previously described. Punters have multiple options to choose from, which is very convenient for experienced bettors. However, it can be confusing for beginners. So, here you can try such a thing as consensus betting. It means that you can see and evaluate the decisions made by other punters and make a better prediction.

Premier League

This league was formed in England in 1992. Currently, it unites 20 football clubs. The championships are held from August to May, and each team plays 38 matches. Punters like to make predictions about the games within this league because it offers multiple winning opportunities and includes various strongest eminent teams, such as Manchester City, Arsenal, and others.

The league is considered the most famous among bettors because the wagering opportunities here are very rich. You can choose classic betting markets, handicaps, and other profitable options. 

La Liga

It is the main Spanish championship that unites 20 football clubs that compete with each other for the main reward. Those teams that take three last lines in the table are out of the competition. We can surely say that this league is one of the oldest ones because it was formed in 1929. According to the UEFA coefficients, La Liga is considered one of the strongest. Real Madrid is one of the most successful teams here.

Here you can also bet on various markets and win big monetary prizes. Due to the popularity the games from this championship are available on almost every reliable betting platform.

Real-Time Football Betting Guide

One of the best options offered by many bookmakers is an opportunity to make live predictions. It means that while you watch the game, you can simultaneously place your lucky bets. It is very convenient and appreciated by many users because it allows them to make accurate predictions and earn more money. Next, in the following part of the article, we will provide you with some tips on how to make a live bet beneficially.

Recommendations for Real-Time Football Betting

This guide is prepared by professionals who know a lot about different types of sports wagering and have over 5 years of experience behind their backs. So, to help you grow and develop your betting skills, our editorial team finds it significant to share some betting tips with you:

1. Start wagering from the second part of the match. When the game began, the situation on the field was yet to be discovered. From the second part of the game it becomes more clear who is leading on the field, so you can choose a market and make a prediction.
2. Choose games where opponents are unequal in power and skills. Such opposition of powers and potentials allows punters to place winning bets using handicaps and other spread markets.
3. Try making accumulators. Building an accumulator requires many skills because you combine several selections that all must be victorious. This bet increases the odds and allows you to win more, even when the markets have low coefficients.

These tips can significantly enhance your predictions and allow you to win main prizes if made with knowledge.

Football Moneylines and Coefficients with Explanations

Moneylines are super popular when betting on football games. It means that a bettor needs to identify the winner of the match for a whole championship. It is opposed to totals, spread, and other markets. In many cases, punters place a bet on the victor determined by the outcome of the match and other events. For instance you can choose such markets as 1×2 or Double chance to decide the winner of the tournament and win your prize. It can be difficult sometimes, but it is definitely worth a try.

How to Calculate and Read Football Odds

Today, bookmakers have specific AI software that allows them to help punters calculate the possible winning odds. They are established by the bookmaker who evaluates every game and, based on this information, states the coefficients as they are.

However, if you wish to do it yourself, there are some tips. First of all, odds can be displayed in three different ways: American with “+”/”-” sign, decimal and fractional. On most platforms, users can regulate that deposition for more convenience.

The most simple are American coefficients. You can see positive and negative signs near the numbers. The positive one usually establishes the underdog of the game, while the negative one stands for the favorite of the game.

Next, you can try the fractional or decimal odds. They are also calculated automatically based on the assessment of the bookmaker. However, you can count the probability by dividing 1 by the odds. For example, the odds are 3.50. Calculate by 1/3.5, and you get a 29% probability of winning.

Punters can see the numbers appointed to each of the teams and see how much they need to place to win 100% of the staked money and establish the strongest and the weakest teams.

Pros and Cons of Football Betting

Every betting has benefits and downsides. They might not be visible because every sport has them; here, we will let you observe the perks and weak points of football betting. You can see them in the table below:

Football Betting Strategies

Since football is the most played and liked sport on the planet, it undoubtedly takes the first place in any ratings, especially when we talk about betting. Experienced players integrate different strategies into their routines on a regular basis. It allows them to diversify their sessions and gain new skills. Here you can read some of the tips on successful betting members of our editorial team can share with you:

1. Try Martingale tactics. It is the most popular strategy that allows players to return all the lost funds during wagering. You need to multiply each next bet amount when you bet so you can return these funds later when any of your predictions wins.
2. Bet on underdogs. Underdogs usually have higher odds because nobody expects them to win.
3. Take profit out of any situation. It can be achieved by using various betting markets. The double chance is a great example because it allows one to receive revenue by lowering the risks.

Choose teams different in skills and powers. You can do it by checking the statistics of previous matches or observing the predictions made by third-party websites.

Choosing any of the offered strategies is up to you. Any of them work smoothly if applied correctly. You can also retrieve some other strategies because football tactics are the most discussed ones on the Internet. Read blogs and feeds from other players to find an online bookmaker with the best odds. Also, do not forget to take breaks and play responsibly, since sports betting is a highly addictive activity.