How to Bet on Soccer

With hundreds of leagues, millions of players, and billions of fans – no really, there are more than a billion people who love footy – soccer is far and away the most popular sport worldwide.

It might not have reached those dizzying heights in the US just yet, but soccer betting is still an essential part of the sports betting world with plenty of profit-making opportunities.

In this soccer betting guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about betting on soccer. From key strategic insights to in-depth examples, we’ll help you bet with confidence and financial security. Now, lace up your cleats, and let’s hit the pitch.

How to Read Soccer Odds

Soccer betting lines use the same odds format as other popular sports such as the NFL and the NBA. Basically, if you’re in America, you’ll be using American soccer odds.

In American odds, you’ll encounter plus and minus symbols, alongside numerical values. The minus symbol (-) represents the favorite, indicating the amount you need to wager to win $100. On the other hand, the plus symbol (+) designates the underdog, revealing how much you’d profit on a $100 bet.

For instance, in a marquee match like El Clasico, the money line might present Real Madrid at -130 and Barcelona at +160. If you bet $130 on Real Madrid (the favorite), a win would yield $100 in profit. Conversely, a $100 bet on Barça (the underdog) could result in a $160 profit if they triumph.

How Do Sportsbooks Set Soccer Betting Lines?

Sportsbooks have a comprehensive approach when it comes to setting soccer betting lines. This intricate process combines extensive research, expert analysis, and a wealth of data. It’s important to note that not all information considered in this process is always available to the public.

One of the key factors in establishing soccer betting lines is assessing the relative strength of the competing teams. This involves looking at historical performance, recent form, and head-to-head results.

Tactical and strategic knowledge is another crucial component. An in-depth understanding of a team’s playing style, tactics, and strategies is integral to predicting outcomes. Sportsbooks need to consider how teams adapt their approaches when facing various opponents and conditions.

Weather and pitch conditions are also influential. Environmental factors, such as rain, wind, or an uneven pitch, can significantly impact match dynamics. These considerations help sportsbooks fine-tune their odds predictions.

Fixture congestion is another element under scrutiny. In tournaments with multiple matches in a short time frame, sportsbooks analyze how teams manage their schedules. Fatigue and squad rotation can affect match outcomes, making it essential for sportsbooks to account for these variables.

Lastly, injuries are a significant variable in setting soccer betting lines. The availability of key players and any recent injuries or suspensions are closely monitored. The absence or presence of even a single player can influence the odds and subsequently, betting decisions.

Soccer Sports Betting Examples

Soccer is an easy sport to explain on paper, but to really understand the game you have to watch a full 90 minutes unfold. The same applies to soccer betting, which is why we’ve put together some detailed examples of all the different betting types you might come across, along with realistic scenarios where you might make such a bet.

Moneyline

Moneyline bets in soccer are straightforward; they’re wagers on which team will emerge as the victor in a given match. In the world of soccer, where draws are a common outcome, traditional moneyline bets are less frequent. However, they can still be spotted in high-stakes games, especially during knockout rounds in major tournaments.

For instance, consider the electrifying scenario of the MLS Cup Final pitting LAFC against Inter Miami. The legendary Lionel Messi’s skills have you convinced that LAFC won’t be able to counter him, so you confidently place a moneyline bet on Inter Miami to clinch the win.

3-Way Moneyline

Soccer introduces an intriguing dimension where ties are as prevalent as victories and losses. In such cases, the conventional moneyline isn’t sufficient. This is where the three-way moneyline comes into play, allowing you to wager on a tie as well.

Imagine a Premier League Manchester Derby, where Man United confronts Man City. Weather forecasts predict a torrential downpour, suggesting that goals will be a rare commodity. Here, you decide to place a bet on a tie using the three-way moneyline, considering the possibility of a low-scoring encounter.

Double Chance

In a sport with three possible outcomes (win, loss, or tie), double chance bets offer the flexibility to stake your wager on two of these outcomes. This approach helps mitigate risk while maintaining the potential for profit. You can either bet on one team to win or two teams to secure a victory, or you can bet on the outcome being a win for either side.

For example, in a crucial Bundesliga matchup between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, both teams are eager to win the title. Recognizing the significance of the match, you opt to place a double chance bet on either team winning, as a draw is less desirable in this context.

Asian Handicap

Given soccer’s propensity for low-scoring affairs, Asian handicaps are designed to facilitate spread betting by allowing fractional wagers between whole and half numbers. Essentially, you’re placing two simultaneous bets, one at a specific value and another at a slightly different figure.

For a more detailed understanding of Asian handicap, let’s examine a high-stakes LaLiga showdown featuring Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. With a +1.25 handicap wager on Atletico Madrid, you’re effectively making two bets – one at +1 and another at +1.5. This means you’ll secure a win if the match ends with a one-goal lead for Real Madrid (1-0), while a victory by a larger margin would grant you an even more significant win.

Over/Under

Over/under bets extend beyond predicting the total points scored in a game. They encompass various statistical categories, allowing you to wager on whether a match or player will perform over or under a specific numerical benchmark. These benchmarks can include total corner kicks, passes completed, shots on target, yellow cards, and more.

For a clearer grasp of over/under betting, let’s look at Romelu Lukaku, Inter Milan’s powerhouse striker in Serie A. As he leads the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation, you anticipate he’ll have ample opportunities for shots on target. In this scenario, you choose to place a bet on Lukaku exceeding 3.5 shots on target.

Over/under bets enable you to delve into the finer details of a game, providing diverse opportunities to engage with different facets of soccer and potentially cash in on your insights.

Futures

While most bets are promptly resolved within a single game, futures bets are more like long-term investments. They revolve around predictions that may take an entire season or more to unfold. This type of wagering lets you bet on outcomes such as tournament and league winners, major awards, and even long-term team developments.

Let’s take the World Cup as a prime example. If you believe that France, with its formidable squad and talents like Kylian Mbappe, is poised to reclaim the trophy in 2026, you can place a futures bet on them.

Futures betting offers an exciting avenue to showcase your trust in your favorite teams or players on a grander scale, making it an essential part of the soccer betting landscape.

Parlays

Parlays are a betting strategy that combines multiple bets into one wager, amplifying the potential returns. This approach can be particularly appealing if you’re working with a limited budget but still yearn for the thrilling prospect of a substantial win. However, it comes with a caveat – every leg of your parlay must hit for you to receive any payouts.

Imagine a Premier League scenario where you decide to construct a parlay. You place bets on Newcastle winning their match, Arsenal scoring a goal from a set piece, Erling Haaland finding the back of the net, and Manchester City keeping a clean sheet. To win the parlay, you’d need every one of these things to happen.

Props

Player props in soccer entail betting on the finer aspects of a match that extend beyond the ultimate outcome. These can encompass statistics such as shots on target, goals, assists, passes completed, corner kicks, and a myriad of other in-game details. The allure of player props is the ability to engage with various micro-events within a match.

Let’s use a scenario where Burnley faces a formidable opponent like Chelsea. You gauge that Burnley’s chances of outperforming Chelsea in open play are slim, but they may excel in set pieces. Consequently, you decide to place a prop bet on Burnley to secure at least five corner kicks during the match. Player props offer you a chance to delve into the intricacies of a game like this, applying your insights to predict specific player and team performances within a given contest.

Live Betting

Live betting brings a dynamic dimension to soccer wagering by allowing you to place bets on a match that’s already underway. The primary advantage of live betting is that it enables you to evaluate the evolving dynamics of the game before making your wagers. In this format, you can react to in-game developments such as a team gaining momentum, a star player getting injured, or any other real-time occurrences that influence the match’s course.

To illustrate, let’s consider a heated Ligue 1 clash between PSG and Marseille. After a few minutes of play, you observe that PSG appears to be off their usual pace, possibly due to a congested schedule. Reacting to this observation, you decide to place a live bet, specifically a double chance bet on Marseille to either win or secure a draw.

Soccer Betting Tips

Congratulations, you’re almost ready to start betting on the beautiful game with confidence! But before you go and make some bets, we have a few soccer betting tips to make life easier for you.

These aren’t going to make you an overnight millionaire, but they will help you make not only smart decisions but financially savvy ones as well.

Stick to What You Know

One of the best aspects of soccer is that it offers a multitude of leagues to explore. While it might be tempting to delve into leagues halfway across the world, it’s vital to remain conscious of your limits when venturing into soccer betting. Venturing into unfamiliar territories without adequate knowledge can be a risky endeavor.

Our friendly advice is to stick to leagues where you have a solid understanding and reliable resources at your disposal. Focusing on what you know best equips you to make smarter and more informed betting decisions, increasing your chances of making money betting on soccer.

Dig A Little Deeper

In soccer, a sport known for its low-scoring nature, a player or team’s current form may not always be evident through surface-level statistics. To gain a comprehensive understanding of a player’s performance and determine whether they’re worth betting on, it’s imperative to delve into the underlying numbers. Metrics like Expected Threat (xT) offer a more nuanced perspective on a player’s goal-scoring potential compared to their actual output.

This approach is equally valuable for defenders who may have faced unfortunate circumstances in a few matches. While surface statistics can yield occasional success, recognizing these underlying trends is what sets the best bettors apart.

Think About League Differences

Soccer is renowned for its diversity, extending beyond just teams and players to encompass varying playing styles across different leagues and countries. Comprehending these nuances holds the key to successful soccer prop betting, particularly in international competitions such as the Champions League.

Leagues like the English Premier League often embrace a high-tempo, attacking style, while Serie A in Italy is renowned for disciplined defensive play. When teams from these contrasting leagues meet on the grand stage, it’s vital to consider how their respective styles will interact and influence the game’s outcome.

Understand the Importance of Tactics

Soccer’s beauty lies in the diverse range of tactics employed, with each manager bringing a unique philosophy and tactical system to the pitch. This tactical diversity extends from classic formations like the 4-4-2 longball to innovative systems like Pep Guardiola’s asymmetric 3-5-2.

Early in the season, understanding a new manager’s preferred style can provide a significant advantage in the betting scene. You can anticipate changes in player roles, strategies, and more. Grasping these tactical nuances empowers you to make more informed and precise bets.

Look Out for Fixture Congestion

A common rookie mistake in soccer betting is viewing a particular game in isolation. Many top clubs have jam-packed schedules, making it challenging to field their best lineups in every match. Therefore, before placing a bet on a powerhouse facing a relegation candidate, take a moment to review the calendar.

Check if there’s another crucial match that week. Significant games, even against highly attacking teams, often feature more conservative approaches as both teams aim to avoid game-changing defensive errors.

Always Use Bonuses

A valuable strategy for soccer betting is utilizing bonuses and promotions. This not only helps you save money but also boosts your potential profits. For instance, risk-free bets provide an additional opportunity to recover from a mistake, while profit boosts can significantly enhance your winnings when you hit big. All the top sports betting sites and apps provide bonuses so it’s just a matter of finding the right ones to use on your bets.

Manage Your Money Wisely

Managing your money wisely is a fundamental aspect of soccer betting that many beginners overlook. Before placing any bets, establish a budget that you’re committed to, whether it’s on a yearly, monthly, or seasonal basis. Additionally, set budgets for each bet type to ensure you allocate resources appropriately. Managing your money effectively allows you to enjoy a sustainable and enjoyable soccer betting experience while safeguarding your financial well-being.