A Beginner’s Guide to Football Betting Markets

Football is consistently evolving, not only in the actual gameplay of the sport but also in how fans worldwide consume it. Whether spectators engage in fantasy football leagues, in local competitions, or place their stakes on the game on one of the numerous sportsbook platforms out there. Technology is a significant factor in the growth of football consumerism, with online sportsbook platforms offering greater detail and more betting markets.

Sports betting platforms can seem overwhelming to users when they first enter, with numerous markets, odds formats, and wagering options, making it easy to get confused. This guide breaks down everything related to football betting, covering the basics so you can better understand sportsbooks and make more informed decisions.

What is a Betting Market?

To put it simply, a betting market is a platform that allows individuals to place wagers on the outcomes of future events, such as sports fixtures. Betting markets have evolved over the years, moving from the extremely basic markets of the past to today’s markets that offer dozens of options. Sports betting has existed for hundreds of years, and, through the development of rules and regulations and technological advances, has undergone a monumental shift.

The Most Popular Football Betting Markets

Match Result

Match result is the most popular football betting market, which is a classic market used by most sports bettors. Placing stakes on the outcome of a football fixture involves three separate selections: home team win, draw, or away team win. The match result market is simple and available in most sportsbooks, with many offering odds that vary based on a range of factors.

Both Teams to Score

As stated, this football betting market involves predicting whether both teams will score at least one goal. There are two simple options in this football market: ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, with odds varying depending on multiple factors, including the teams in the fixture.

Over/Under Goals

Instead of predicting the winner of the fixture or whether both teams will score or not, many football bettors decide to predict if the total number of goals will be over or under a line. The bet lines in this betting market vary, with common sportsbooks offering selections from over/under 0.5 goals to over/under 4.5 goals.

Correct Score

The correct score market offers a range of selections with different scorelines, each with odds that change based on the bookmaker’s assessment of the likelihood.

Player Prop Bets

Player prop bets encompass a wide range of plate actions, with selections varying based on an individual’s likelihood of completing it. There are plenty of player props available on sportsbook platforms, including anytime goalscorer, shots on target, assists, cards, fouls committed, tackles, and more.

Corners Markets

Corner markets are popular in football and can take many forms, including total corners over/under, team corners over/under, corner handicaps, and more.

Drawn No Bet

In the draw no bet selection, individuals select one of the two teams in a dedicated fixture to win: the home team or the away team. In the occurrence of a draw in the ‘draw no bet’ selection, the stake wagered in the initial bet will be returned.

How to Choose the Right Market

Choosing the right market in football can include a combination of factors, strategy, discipline, and individual preference when placing wagers. It is important to note that all football betting markets are predictions; though smart analysis may help bettors make more informed choices, the outcomes remain uncertain. Analysing recent performances and historical results between teams can inform selections in head-to-head markets, with careful consideration helping make informed decisions.

Researching home and away advantage can help individuals make informed decisions, as home teams with large followings often perform better at home. This advantage can often prove a shock result for larger teams visiting a less favoured team’s home ground, with the increased passion and overall atmosphere spurring their team on.

Safer Gaming

It is important to keep bets safe and fun at all times and never rely on emotion when engaging in sports betting. Additionally, for all bettors, it is vital to approach betting with caution and responsibility.

Final Thoughts

Sports betting in the modern era is highly advanced, offering a range of options for individuals to choose from in their wagers. In previous years, sports betting was much simpler, consisting of predicting whether a Premier League team would win or lose for example. With technological advances, the football betting markets have undergone a significant shift, now offering many advanced options when playing at an online casino. Understanding the betting markets is the foundation of sports betting and can help individuals gain a deeper understanding of what the markets mean.