Winning Method in Football
Updated: June 5, 2024
Published: February 28, 2024
Sometimes, online betting enthusiasts use the winning method strategy, especially in football betting. When it comes to betting on football, understanding the winning method involves grasping how the outcome of a match is determined.
Generally, there are three primary methods: regular time, after extra time, and after penalty kicks.
The way you win in football betting is pretty important, especially available with all the top bookmakers. If you don't know much about this kind of bet, we have got explanations and examples to help you understand how it works better.
This page is a big part of our guide on betting for football. Check out the guide to learn all about how to make good bets on football games.
The Three Winning Methods in Football
As already told above, in football games, there are three ways a team can win: during regular game time, after extra time, or through penalty kicks. In usual tournaments like the English Premier League or La Liga, games are settled within the regular game time.
But in big tournaments like the FIFA World Cup or Champions League, knockout stage matches might go into extra time or even penalties to determine the winner. In this section we will explain everything in detail.
Regular Time: This refers to the standard duration of a football match, which typically consists of two halves, each lasting 45 minutes, plus added time for stoppages. If a team scores more goals than their opponent within this period, they win the match in regular time.
For instance, if Manchester defeats Liverpool with a score of 2-1 within 90 minutes (including added time), the winning method is ‘regular time.
Scenario: Manchester United vs Liverpool
Final Score: Manchester United 2 – 1 Liverpool
Explanation: In this scenario, Manchester United defeats Liverpool with a score of 2-1 within the 90 minutes (including added time). The winning method is ‘regular time' because Manchester United scored more goals in the standard duration of the match.
Bet Outcome: If you placed a bet on the outcome of the match in regular time and your predicted team wins within the stipulated 90 minutes, your bet is successful. If the match ends in a draw or if the opposite team wins in regular time, you lose your bet.
After Extra Time: In knockout stages of tournaments, if the match is tied at the end of regular time, an additional period called extra time is played. Extra time consists of two further 15-minute halves. If a team scores more goals during this extra time, they win the match after extra time.
For example, in the match between Chelsea vs Arsenal in the FA Cup final, if the score at the end of regular time is 1-1, but Chelsea scores a goal during extra time, making the final score 2-1, the winning method is ‘after extra time.'
Scenario: Chelsea vs. Arsenal (FA Cup Final)
Final Score (including extra time): Chelsea 2 – 1 Arsenal
Explanation: The match ends in a 1-1 draw at the end of regular time. During the extra time, Chelsea scored a goal, making the final score 2-1. The winning method is ‘after extra time' because Chelsea secured the victory in the additional 30 minutes of play.
Bet Outcome: If you placed a bet on the match outcome including extra time and your predicted team wins during this extended period, your bet is successful. If the match ends in a draw even after extra time, some bets may be settled as a draw, while others might proceed to the next method (penalty kicks).
After Penalty Kicks (Penalty Shootout): If the match is still tied after both regular time and extra time, the matches go to a penalty shootout to determine the winner. Each team takes a series of penalty kicks, and the team that scores more goals in the shootout wins the match.
For example in a match between Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City, if Spurs wins the penalty shootout 3-2 after the match ends 1-1 in regular time and remains tied after extra time, the winning method is ‘after penalty kicks.'
Scenario: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester City
Final Score (penalty shootout): Tottenham Hotspur 3 – 2 Manchester City (after penalty kicks)
Explanation: The match ends in a 1-1 draw after regular time and remains tied even after extra time. The outcome is then decided by a penalty shootout. Spurs won the penalty shootout 3-2, securing the victory through penalties.
Bet Outcome: If you placed a bet on the match outcome including penalty kicks and your predicted team wins during the shootout, your bet is successful.
If the opposite team wins the shootout or the match outcome through penalties is not included in your bet, you lose.
Odds for Winning Method Bets
The odds for winning method bets in football matches can vary based on the bookmaker, the specific tournament, and the teams involved.
Here's a general idea of how the odds might look for these types of bets:
Regular Time: Betting on the outcome within the standard 90 minutes of play usually offers relatively lower odds since it's the most common way for matches to be decided.
After Extra Time: Odds for this outcome tend to be higher compared to regular time, as it involves predicting a drawn match that will be resolved after the additional 30 minutes of extra time.
After Penalty Kicks: This method usually carries the highest odds among the three since it involves predicting a draw after regular time and extra time, followed by a specific team winning in the penalty shootout.
Bookmakers adjust these odds based on several factors including the teams playing, their current form, historical performance in similar situations, and the stage of the tournament.
For instance, in knockout stages of major tournaments like the UEFA Champions League or the FIFA World Cup, odds for the “after extra time” or “after penalty kicks” outcomes might see more fluctuation due to the higher stakes and unpredictability.
Factors to Consider
When it comes to betting on football matches and considering the winning methods, several factors can significantly influence your decisions. Here are some key considerations:
Team Form and Performance: Assess the current form of the teams playing. Consider their recent performances, including wins, losses, draws, and goal-scoring trends. Teams in good form might have a higher chance of winning within regular time or even during extra time.
Playing Style and Tactics: Understand the playing style of each team. Some teams might focus on offensive strategies, aiming to win within regular time, while others might adopt more defensive tactics to avoid conceding goals, potentially leading to drawn matches.
Scenarios for Bets: Understand the different scenarios for bets, especially in knockout stages or cup competitions, where bets might extend beyond regular time outcomes to include extra time or penalty shootout predictions.