How To Bet on Soccer Games

Welcome to the exciting world of soccer betting! Whether you’re an experienced bettor looking to expand your horizons or a complete newcomer eager to venture into the thrilling realm of sports wagering, this guide is here to furnish you with the fundamental knowledge you need before placing a bet on the captivating world of soccer.

Soccer also referred to as football in many parts of the world, stands as the most globally cherished sport, captivating millions of fans with its exhilarating matches, intense rivalries, and unforeseeable outcomes. Engaging in soccer betting introduces an additional layer of thrill to the sport, allowing you to put your knowledge and instincts to the test.

Before immersing yourself in the realm of soccer betting, it is essential to grasp the basics. Soccer matches offer a variety of betting markets, each presenting distinctive opportunities and challenges.

Soccer Betting History

Soccer has captivated fans for generations. With its global popularity, it was only a matter of time before betting on soccer matches became a cherished pastime. Over time, soccer betting has evolved from informal wagers among friends to a billion-dollar industry. The excitement of predicting outcomes, top goal scorers, and even the minutest details of the game has made soccer betting a global sensation.

Soccer Betting Odds and Lines

Understanding soccer odds and lines is fundamental to successful soccer betting:

Types of Soccer Bets

Soccer betting markets offer a diverse array of choices, encompassing everything from traditional match-winner bets to more intricate options like Asian handicaps and over/under goal predictions. There exists a wide spectrum of betting markets for exploration. Most betting markets incorporate the following selections:

🔷 3-Way Moneyline

Also referred to as the match-winner or 1X2 bet, moneyline bet is the simplest and most popular form of soccer wagering. In this market, you predict which team will win the match or if it will conclude in a draw. Let’s see the next example match:

In the example, a $100 bet on Barcelona would yield a $150 payout if they secure victory, but result in a loss if Real Madrid wins or if the match ends in a draw.

🔷 Point Spread

The point spread, or handicap, levels the playing field when two teams have varying strengths. In this market, the favored team is assigned a negative handicap (e.g., -1.5 goals), while the underdog receives a positive handicap (e.g., +1.5 goals). Your bet’s outcome hinges on whether the team you select covers the handicap. Let’s see the next example EPL match:

In the example, a $110 or $100 bet on either spread would result in payouts of $100 or $90.91, respectively, if successful. For instance, if the match concludes with a 2-1 score in favor of Manchester United, a $110 bet on Liverpool‘s +1.5 goal spread would win $100 because they would have covered the bet by 0.5 goals based on the handicap.

🔷 Over/Under

The over/under, or total goals, bet involves predicting whether the total number of goals scored in a match will surpass or fall below a specific threshold set by the bookmaker. This threshold might be set at 2.5 goals, and you decide if both teams will score more or fewer goals than that number. Let’s see the next example match:

In the example, a $100 bet on the under-total would result in a $100 payout if this Serie A match concludes 1-1 or with fewer goals. Conversely, a $120 or $100 bet on the over-total would yield payouts of $100 or $83.33, respectively, if the match finishes 2-1 or with more goals.

🔷 Correct Score

This entails betting on the precise final score of a match. Let’s see the next example match:

In the example, a $100 bet on Bayern Munich to win exactly 3-2 would result in a $1,500 payout. Similarly, a $100 bet on Paris Saint-Germain to win 2-1 would yield an $800 payout.

🔷 Half-Time/Full-Time

This involves betting on the match’s outcome at half-time and full-time independently or in combination. Let’s see the next example match:

In the example, wagering on Arsenal/Draw means Arsenal must win the first half and draw (tie) in the second half. A $100 bet would result in a $1,000 payout if this scenario unfolds.

🔷 Props (Player Props/Team Props)

Prop bets, short for proposition bets, focus on specific events or occurrences within a soccer match, including individual soccer player performances, team statistics, or particular game events. Let’s see the next example match:

In the example, a $100 bet on Player X to have over 1.5 shots on target, signifying at least 2 shots on target, would result in a $140 payout if achieved.

🔷 Parlay (Accumulator)

A parlay bet combines multiple individual bets into a single, larger wager. To win a parlay, all the individual bets within it must be successful. This type of bet offers the potential for higher payouts, as the odds multiply with each added selection. Let’s see the next example match:

To calculate the potential payout for this 6-leg parlay, convert each selection into decimal odds, then multiply the odds of each selection together. If all legs are successful, a $100 bet on this parlay would result in a $74,307.69 payout.

🔷 Same Game Parlay (SGP)

Same Game Parlay allows you to combine multiple outcomes within a single soccer match into a single wager. You can bet on various aspects of the same game, such as the result, goals scored, player performances, and other statistical outcomes. Let’s see the next example match:

For instance, a $100 bet on this SGP would result in a $1,312.50 payout if all selections win.

🔷 First Goalscorer/Anytime Goalscorer

Predicting which player will score the first goal or any goal during the match. Let’s see the next example match:

A bet on Player X as the first goalscorer would yield a $400 payout for every $100 wagered if they scored the opening goal of the match.

A bet on Player Y as an anytime goalscorer would result in a $200 payout for every $100 wagered if they score at any point during the match.

🔷 Draw No Bet

This removes the possibility of a draw and allows you to place a wager on the winner of the match. If the game ends in a draw, your stake is refunded. see the next example match:

In this example, a $200 bet on Liverpool to win with the draw-no-bet option would pay out $100 if they win, $0 if they lose, or the $200 would be refunded if the match ends in a tie after the 90-minute regulation time.

🔷 Asian Handicap

Similar to the regular point spread, but with additional handicaps to eliminate the possibility of a draw. Asian handicap examples include:

Asian Handicap (-0.5, -1) – Also known as -0.75: If you bet on the favorite, they must win by at least two goals for your bet to be successful. If they win by one goal, you win half of your stake, and the other half is refunded. If you bet on the underdog, they can win or lose by one goal for your bet to be a winner.

Asian Handicap (+0.0, +0.5) – Also known as +0.25: If you bet on the underdog, your bet wins if they win the match. If it’s a draw, you win half of your wager, and the other half is refunded.

These examples provide more options for handicapped betting in soccer.

🔷 Double Chance

Betting on two of the three possible outcomes in a match, such as a win or draw for one team. Example MLS Match:

Betting $250 on LA Galaxy or Draw would pay out $100 if either LA Galaxy wins outright or if the match ends in a draw.

🔷 Clean Sheet

This involves wagering on whether a team will prevent the opposing team from scoring. Let’s see the next example match:

A $100 bet on Paris Saint-Germain to keep a clean sheet would result in a $300 payout if they prevent the opposing team from scoring.

🔷 Time of First Goal/Time of Goal

Predicting the time interval in which the first or any goal will be scored. Let’s see the next example match:

A $100 bet on a goal being scored within the 0-15 minute interval would result in a $400 payout if a goal is scored within that time frame.

A $100 bet on a goal being scored between the 60th and 75th minute would result in a $600 payout if a goal is scored within that time frame.

🔷 Corner Kicks

Betting on the total number of corner kicks awarded during the match. Let’s see the next example match:

A $100 bet on the under-total would result in a $100 payout if there are 10 or fewer corner kicks. A $140 bet on the over-total would yield a $100 payout if there are at least 11 corner kicks.

Also Learn About How to Understand Betting Scores and Odds

Soccer Betting Tips

Soccer Leagues and Tournaments To Bet On

Pros and Cons of Soccer Betting

🔷 Pros:

🔶 Cons:

Soccer Betting FAQs