Due to the low scoring nature of many soccer games, traditional betting methods like money lines aren’t practical. Instead, sportsbooks offer a three-way money line that includes a win for either team or a draw after regulation time.
You can also place wagers on specific events that occur within a game, such as corner kicks. These bets are often called prop bets.
Three-way money line
Three-way money lines are a common betting option for soccer matches. They account for the possibility of a tie in a game, and offer juicier odds than two-way moneylines. This wager is especially important for games in single-elimination knockout competitions, as ties happen more often than they do in other sports.
The difference between a 3-way moneyline and a 2-way moneyline is that the latter only covers the outcome of a match in regulation time. The former also includes extra time, such as a penalty shootout. The odds on 3-way bets reflect the likelihood of each possible outcome, with the team favored to win having lower odds than the underdog.
While all sports have three-way betting options, the most popular are soccer and hockey. These bets typically cover only the 90 minutes of regulation and do not include any goals scored in extra time. This is because ties are more common in soccer than in other sports.
Over/Under total goals
Soccer betting offers a huge variety of wagering options, including three-way money lines, match or team totals, and special prop bets for designated periods. Some sites also offer Asian handicap lines, which level the playing field between two unevenly matched teams and allow bettors to split their wagers with fractional or whole goal spreads.
The Over/Under total goals market in soccer is based on the prediction that the total number of goals scored by both teams will be over or under a specific number, such as 2.5 goals. However, soccer matches often extend beyond the standard 90 minutes, and extra time or stoppage goals may not count toward your Over/Under total goals prediction.
Understanding how to interpret soccer odds is crucial to making informed bets. American odds, which include a minus or plus sign, indicate how much you’d win if you placed a $100 bet on that team. Identifying a team’s tactics can help you analyze these odds and make more profitable wagers.
Double chance bets
In soccer betting, double chance bets offer a lower payout than traditional win-draw-lose wagers. But they can be a smart addition to your wagering strategy, especially in big tournaments. Unlike most sports, in which the draw is graded as a loser, a soccer match ends with only one result – either a team wins or they draw.
In some cases, the matchup just screams “no way this is ending in a draw!” Think of two teams with high-scoring offenses or shaky defenses in a crucial matchup. In these situations, a double-chance bet might pay more than betting on the home or away team to win. Just remember that these bets only cover the 90-minute outcome of the match, not extra time or penalties in a tournament. Line shopping is key, so be sure to compare double-chance lines at different sportsbooks. This can help you find the best odds and hedge your bets against a potential upset.
Spread
Sportsbook oddsmakers set a total goal amount for a soccer match and you can wager on whether the combined goals will go Over or Under. A $100 wager on the Over will return a profit of multiples of your stake if you are correct.
The most popular way to place a bet on soccer is on the three-way moneyline, which offers higher odds than standard straight bets for baseball and hockey. This bet includes the option for a tie, which is fairly common in soccer.
To find value on soccer betting lines, be sure to analyze team form and head-to-head records. These are key factors in determining the winning team. Also, look for Asian handicap lines, which level the playing field between two unevenly matched teams. This method is not as profitable as the money line, but it’s an interesting alternative. The best online sportsbooks offer hundreds of markets for a single soccer match, including three-way moneylines, Over/Under total goals, and a plethora of team and player props.