Soccer betting offers a variety of wagering options. You can make a straight-up bet on which team will win the game, or a three-way moneyline (X for a home win, Y for a draw, and a 1X2 for either).
It is important to do your homework before placing a soccer bet. Historical trends between teams are one factor to consider, but recent form is also crucial.
Handicaps
In soccer betting, a handicap is a way for a sportsbook to level the playing field by giving one team an advantage over another. This is done by adding or subtracting a certain amount from the final score. This is similar to the run line in baseball or the puck line in hockey. In addition to standard 1X2 bets, a 3-way handicap bet is also available for certain matches. This bet allows you to select either team to win or a draw, taking the handicap into account for the final score.
When betting on soccer handicaps, it is important to understand that current form can play a large role in a team’s performance. This is because some teams have better recent records than others. For example, Arsenal could be favored to win a game against Brighton, but their recent performances are not that great.
A zero handicap occurs when the bettor believes that there is no difference in abilities between the two teams. In this case, the alleged superior team is given a goal handicap of 0, and the other team is assigned a goal deficit to equalize the match for betting purposes. If the match ends in a tie, the bet is refunded. If the winning team scores more goals than the handicap, however, the bet is a winner.
Point spreads
In soccer betting, point spreads are becoming more popular. They are similar to traditional moneyline bets in that they designate a set of odds for each team based on their implied probability of winning the game. This type of bet is especially useful for soccer games because they tend to end in a tie more often than other sports, making it difficult to predict the winning team by placing a moneyline bet.
Soccer also offers a variety of other bets that aren’t available in other sports. These include totals, which are based on the projected number of goals in a match. Because soccer is such a low-scoring sport, totals are rarely profitable. But savvy bettors can make smarter bets by adjusting their totals to account for the expected scoring environment.
Another way to place a soccer bet is by using a game prop, or “side bet.” These bets are placed on specific events during the game, such as how many corner kicks will be taken, or which team will score first. While these bets have lower payouts than straight bets, they can offer significant value for a knowledgeable bettor. Experimenting with different strategies and tracking your results can help you become a better bettor. Moreover, there are numerous online platforms and communities that provide valuable insights and tips from professional bettors.
Over/Under bets
Over/Under bets are a great way to get involved in soccer betting without risking too much money. Over/Under totals are posted for all soccer matches and work like they do in hockey, with you wagering on whether the teams will score more or less than the sportsbook’s projected total. However, soccer is a low-scoring game, so the Over/Under numbers are generally set lower than in other sports.
In soccer, you can also place Over/Under bets on specific players and individual team totals. These bets are typically priced in terms of goals or points, and you can wager on either side of the line. If you’re betting on the Over, you’ll be cheering for lots of scoring while if you’re taking the Under, you’ll be looking for defensive action.
One of the most important things to remember when placing Over/Under bets in soccer is that lines move fast. In addition to being influenced by injuries, the actual start of the match can dramatically change the odds. If you’re going to bet on over/unders, make sure that you pay attention to the lineups before they come out and know who the managers plan on playing. This will help you find good value on the closing lines. You can use a soccer odds calculator to determine how much you’ll win based on the odds and the amount you bet.