When you’re betting on professional and college soccer, it’s important to understand how the odds work. Soccer is a challenging sport to bet on because so many factors influence the outcome of a game. Each team has 11 players whom all have different roles, strengths, and weaknesses. While an excellent striker might be able to score lots of goals in one game, another striker may struggle with confidence in the next. In addition to these variables, soccer games can end prematurely if a player commits a foul that results in a red card.
These factors make it challenging to pinpoint which team will win or lose any given game. Thankfully, there are ways to simplify the process of betting on this exciting sport.
Soccer Basics
There are a few key aspects to understand before betting on soccer. First, soccer is played on a grass field, not a synthetic turf. This makes a huge difference because the ball is more likely to roll in real grass than synthetic turf. The ball is also softer and is more likely to get scuffed up on real grass than synthetic turf. Another thing to appreciate is that soccer is a low-scoring sport. Most games that go to the full-time end with a 1-0 or 2-1 scoreline.
A single goal can change everything, which is why people often say that soccer is a game of few chances. Finally, the clock stops at a certain point in the game, and the team that has the ball is given a small amount of time to either score a goal or get the ball to the other end of the field. If they can’t do either of those things, then the other team gets the ball and an extra amount of time to score.
How to Read Soccer Betting Lines
The first thing to understand about soccer betting lines is that they’re listed in terms of odds. For example, you might see a 1.95 line in a soccer game. The first number is the amount that you’d win if you bet $100 on that game.
The second number, in this case, $95, is the amount that you’d win if you bet $100 on the other team. For example, let’s say you bet $100 on the team with a 1.95 odds. If they win, you’ll earn $185. If you bet $100 on the team with the 2.05 odds, you’d win $105.
The odds are based on the likelihood of each team winning a game. The higher the number, the less likely it is that a team will win. The lower the number, the more likely it is that a team will win.
Understanding Bookmaker Terminology
There are some terms that are specific to soccer betting that you should know. First, you’ll often see “handicap” as a modifier on a line. This means that one team is given a head start because they’re considered less likely to win than the opposing team. The amount of the handicap is usually added to the team with the disadvantage.
In other words, if the team with the disadvantage is given a -4 handicap, then the other team will be given a +4 advantage. If you see “over/under” next to a line, this refers to the expected goal total. Some games have a fairly high expected goal total, and others have a low one.
If you see a “+” or “-” next to a line, this is a modifier to the line. If there is no “+” or “-” next to a line, then the line is “clean.”
Tip 1: Find the Teams You’re Familiar With
People who are betting on soccer for the first time often don’t bet on the teams they follow. This is usually a bad idea because you know very little about the teams you aren’t following. As a result, it’s difficult to know which teams are likely to win or lose. If you want to start betting on soccer, then you need to familiarize yourself with the teams. You’ll be much better off if you bet on the teams that you know well.
Tip 2: Watch Out for Coincidental Events
When you’re betting on soccer, keep an eye out for coincidental events. (Also known as “props”) These are events that occur during the game that you can bet on. These events are used to increase the excitement level of a soccer game. They’re also a good way to make some extra cash on a game. Coincidental events often occur towards the end of the game.
For example, you might see an over/under line for the number of red cards issued during the game. You might also see a prop for which team scores the first goal. If there are any coincidental events that interest you, then you should definitely place a bet on them.
Tip 3: Check the Weather Report
You should always check the weather report before betting on soccer. There are a few reasons for this. First, you want to make sure that it’s not going to be raining during the game. If the rain is particularly heavy, then it’s possible that the game will end prematurely.
If the game is played on a wet field, then the ball is much more likely to get stuck in the mud. This means that the ball will move much slower than normal. This is relevant to how you bet because the slower-moving ball could help one team more than the other.
Tip 4: Understand the Competition Format
If you want to start betting on soccer at the professional level, then you need to understand the league format. Some leagues play a “round robin” format, while others play a “single elimination” format. Round-robin leagues play a set number of games against each team in the league.
The team with the best record at the end of the regular season is declared the winner. The single elimination format, on the other hand, only features one game between each team. The winner is determined based on the outcome of that single game. This format is most commonly used in the playoffs.
Tip 5: Look Out for Promo Codes & Bonuses
Finally, you should look out for promo codes and bonuses when you’re signing up for a sportsbook. Promo codes and bonuses are offered by sportsbooks to attract new customers. These offers come in the form of a percentage match on your initial deposit. For example, the DraftKings promo code might be given a 50% bonus, which means that you’d have $150 to bet with if you deposit $100. These offers can significantly improve your soccer betting experience.
Conclusion
Soccer is a popular sport that can be good to bet on. When you’re betting on soccer, you should know how to read soccer betting lines, how to understand bookmaker terminology, how to watch out for coincidental events, how to check the weather report, and how to understand the competition format to make sure you are getting the best bets possible.
