If you’re brand new to the world of soccer betting, it can be a little confusing and daunting. Even if you’ve placed bets on other sports before, soccer betting odds can be some of the most complicated due to the large number of games and wide range of markets to bet on.
In this article, we’ll share top tips to help you get started placing bets and how to have more success with the bets you place.
Soccer betting odds
The odds in soccer work exactly the same as with any other sport. Most markets will have a few different options you can bet on, with the odds displayed next to them. For example, if you’re looking at the moneyline odds for an upcoming Premier League soccer game, you might see:
- Manchester City +145
- Draw +230
- Arsenal +185
In this match, Manchester City are the favorites to win, with Arsenal as slight underdogs. Meanwhile, the draw is the least likely option which means you would win the largest amount if you bet on it, and it happened. Odds are determined by the likelihood of an outcome occurring, and the odds will determine your profits if you win.
In this example, you would win $145 if you bet $100 on City to win and they won the game. On the other hand, if Arsenal won, you could win $185 from a $100 bet. If you ever see the odds with a minus (-) sign in front, that means it’s a strong favorite. If City had odds of -150 to win, you’d need to bet $150 to have a chance of winning $100.
Soccer betting markets
There are lots of different ways to bet on soccer aside from betting on which team you think will win the match. Here are a few examples with descriptions of each:
- Moneyline – Moneyline betting is a bet on which team you think will win the match. Remember that unlike some sports, soccer has draws and no overtime to decide the winner.
- Point spread – Point spread gives a point handicap to the favorites and an advantage to the underdogs. If you bet on the favorite, they must outscore the handicap to win the game. If you bet on the underdog, they need to avoid losing by a greater number of goals than the advantage.
- Total goals – You can also bet on the total number of goals scored in the game. No matter which team wins, you’ll win your bet as long as you correctly choose over or under on the total number of goals scored.
- Draw no bet – This betting market eliminates the possibility of draws. You simply choose which team you think will win. If a draw occurs, your bet is a push and the stake is returned.
- Props – You can find lots of different player and game props to bet on such as the number of corners, total goals scored in each half, total number of bookers, goalscorers and much more.
- Futures – Futures are a bet on what will happen at the end of the season. You can bet on which team you think will lift the trophy or on the teams to be relegated from the league.
Tips for success when betting on soccer
Here are a few tips to help you find success when placing soccer bets online:
- Choose a licensed and trusted sportsbook – Always make sure you sign up to a legal and licensed sportsbook. This way, you know your funds are protected while betting and that you’ll be treated fairly in case of a dispute or issue.
- Make the most of betting bonuses and get the best odds – You should make the most of betting promotions to minimize your risks and check to make sure you get the best odds.
- Research your bets – Soccer can be unpredictable but this is what makes it so fun to bet on. However, you can improve your results by researching your bets and using data to back up your decisions.
- Keep your betting responsible – Responsible betting means keeping a budget and not betting more than you can afford to lose.
