Football (soccer) is one of the most popular sports worldwide, attracting millions of bettors eager to wager on leagues, cup competitions, and international tournaments. Outright betting offers an exciting way to bet by predicting the outcome of a competition or specific event long before it concludes.
This comprehensive guide explores different outright markets available in football betting, from league winners to top scorers, and provides essential tips to improve your predictions.
Types of Outright Betting Markets
Outright markets allow bettors to predict the outcome of a tournament, league, or individual achievement over the course of a season or event. These bets are placed before or during the competition and typically offer higher odds than standard match bets.
Below, we explore various outright markets categorized into league and cup competitions.
League Outright Markets
Betting on league outcomes offers numerous opportunities to profit by analyzing team form, individual player performances, and seasonal trends.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common league outright markets:
1. League Winner (To Win Outright)
This is the most straightforward outright bet, where you predict which team will win the league title. Bettors need to analyze team strength, squad depth, consistency, and managerial tactics to make informed decisions.
Example: In the English Premier League (EPL), Manchester City and Liverpool are often favorites, but surprise champions like Leicester City in 2015-16 offer lucrative returns.
Example: It is the Spanish League 2016/17 season outright odds on 6th October below.（Shows only top 4）
Barcelona 1.91
Real Madrid 2.63
Athletico Madrid 5.50
Sevilla 151.00
If the team you bet on wins the leagues or competitions, you get the winnings.
Each Way Option
You will also see “E/W” or “Each Way” beside the odds - this means you can place a bet so that if the team does not win but comes 2nd or 3rd or even 4th (depending on the bookmaker) you can still "win".
Each way bets work like this: An “each way” bet is actually TWO bets. One bet is for "First" the second bet is for "First, Second, Third, Fourth".
For example
You bet Sevilla to win @151.00 with using Each Way option $75
This is basically…
Sevilla to win @151.00 – Stake $75
Sevilla to come 1st,2nd,3rd,or 4th $75
Total Stake = $150
But the bookmakers will usually pay out one quarter (1/4) of the odds if the team finishes in 1st 2nd 3rd or 4th.
So if Sevilla finish 2nd , 3rd or 4th:
Sevilla to win @151.00 – Stake $75 – LOSE
Sevilla to come 1st,2nd,3rd,or 4th $75 – WIN at 1/4 the odds
$75 x (150/4) = $75 x 37.5 = 2737.50 + $150 = 2887.50
If Sevilla win then:
$75 x 150 = $11250
Plus
$75 x (150/4) = $75 x 37.5 = 2737.50 + $150 = 2887.50
So the total return is $14212.50
"Top Goal Scorer" markets work in exactly the same way.
2. Top Goal Scorer
In this market, you bet on the player who will finish the season as the league's top goal scorer. Factors such as current form, injury history, and playing style should be analyzed before placing this bet.
Example: In La Liga, betting on Karim Benzema or Robert Lewandowski to finish as the league's top scorer has historically provided high returns.
3. Player with the Most Assists
This market allows you to bet on which player will record the most assists during the season. Creative midfielders and wingers who provide key passes and contribute to attacking play are the primary candidates.
Example: In the EPL, players like Kevin De Bruyne and Trent Alexander-Arnold frequently lead the assists chart, making them favorites in this market.
4. Top 2, Top 4, Top 6, and Top 10 Finish
These markets allow you to predict where a team will finish in the standings by the end of the season. Top 4 bets are popular for leagues where Champions League qualification is at stake.
Example: In Serie A, teams like Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan are often favorites to secure a Top 4 finish.
5. Finish Bottom
In this market, you bet on which team will finish last in the league standings. Teams newly promoted or struggling with poor form are likely candidates.
Example: In the Bundesliga, newly promoted teams often face challenges in maintaining top-tier status, making them prime candidates for this bet.
6. To Be Relegated
This market involves predicting which teams will be relegated at the end of the season. Squad depth, financial strength, and managerial stability play a crucial role in determining a team’s survival.
Example: In the Premier League, teams like Norwich and Watford have faced relegation in multiple seasons, often making them popular choices for relegation bets.
7. To Stay Up
This is the opposite of the relegation market, where you bet on a struggling team to avoid relegation and maintain their position in the top division.
Example: Betting on Brentford to stay up in the EPL proved to be a successful wager for many bettors after their strong performance in the 2021-22 season.
8. Winner & Finish Bottom
This market combines two outcomes—predicting the league winner and the team that will finish bottom. Since it requires accuracy on both fronts, it offers higher odds and greater payouts.
Example: A successful bet on Manchester City to win the EPL and Norwich to finish last in the 2021-22 season would have yielded significant returns.
Cup Outright Markets
Cup competitions offer their own unique outright betting markets, where bettors can predict the overall outcome or performance of teams and players in knockout tournaments.
9. Cup Winner (To Win Outright)
This is the most common market for cup competitions, where you predict which team will win the tournament.
Example: In the UEFA Champions League, powerhouse clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are often favored, but surprise winners like Chelsea in 2021 offer high odds.
10. Name the Finalists
This market requires predicting both teams that will reach the final. It demands a deep understanding of tournament brackets and potential matchups.
Example: Predicting Liverpool and Real Madrid to reach the 2022 Champions League final was a profitable bet for many experts.
11. To Reach the Final, Semi-Final, or Quarter-Final
This market allows bettors to predict how far a team will advance in a tournament.
Example: Betting on Manchester City to reach the Champions League semi-final has been a relatively safe bet in recent years.
12. Group Betting (Qualify to the Tournament)
This market focuses on group stage performance, where bettors predict which teams will advance to the knockout stage.
Example: Betting on Brazil and Argentina to qualify from their World Cup groups has historically been a safe bet.
Tips for Predicting Outright Markets
1. Analyze Preseason Form and Transfers
A team’s performance in preseason games and transfer activities often gives clues about their upcoming form. Strong preseason results and marquee signings can significantly impact a team's league or cup chances.
2. Monitor Injury Reports and Squad Depth
Injuries to key players can derail a team’s season. Squad depth is essential, especially for teams competing in multiple competitions. Consider the strength of a team’s bench when placing outright bets.
3. Assess Historical Trends and Head-to-Head Records
Historical data and head-to-head records often reveal patterns in league and cup competitions. Teams with consistent records in certain competitions are more likely to perform well.
4. Consider Managerial Tactics and Strategies
A team’s success often hinges on managerial tactics and adaptability. Experienced managers with a proven track record in high-stakes competitions increase a team's likelihood of success.
5. Follow Expert Predictions and Betting Markets
Monitoring expert insights, bookmaker odds, and market movements provides valuable information. Market shifts often indicate insider confidence in certain outcomes.
Conclusion: Mastering Football Outright Betting
Outright betting in football offers diverse markets and higher returns for those willing to analyze long-term trends and team dynamics. From predicting league winners and top goal scorers to identifying relegation candidates and cup finalists, outright markets provide numerous opportunities for skilled bettors. By following the analysis techniques and betting tips outlined in this guide, you can enhance your betting success and make well-informed decisions in the competitive world of football betting.
