Football (or soccer) is the world’s most popular sport, and millions of bettors place wagers on matches daily. With a variety of betting markets available, understanding the nuances of each option is crucial for maximizing profits. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced bettor, knowing the most common football match betting markets allows you to make informed decisions and increase your chances of winning.
This guide breaks down 15 common betting markets offered before and during football matches, along with insights into live betting opportunities that can help you leverage in-game momentum.
Types of Pre-Match Football Betting Markets Explained
Pre-match betting involves placing wagers on various outcomes before the game kicks off. These markets offer a range of options, from predicting the match result to forecasting specific player performances. Below, we explain 15 of the most popular football match betting markets.
1. 1x2 (Home/Draw/Away)
The 1x2 market is the most straightforward and widely used in football betting. You simply predict whether:
1 (Home Win): The home team wins.
X (Draw): The match ends in a draw.
2 (Away Win): The away team wins.
The odds may look like this.
Match 1
1 Manchester United 3.60
x Draw 3.5
2 Liverpool 2.05
Match 2
1 Arsenal 1.25
x Draw 6.5
2 Swansea 12.00
Match 3
1 West Brom 5.00
x Draw 3.75
2 Tottenham 1.75
Example: In a 1st match between Manchester United and Liverpool, if you bet on 1, you win if Manchester United wins.
2. Goal Over/Under
This market allows you to bet on the total number of goals scored by both teams in the match. The bookmaker sets a threshold (e.g., 2.5 goals), and you predict whether the total will be:
Over: More than the set number of goals.
Under: Fewer than the set number of goals.
Example: If you bet on Over 2.5 goals in a match and the final score is 2-1, you win the bet.
3. Double Chance
Double chance betting increases your odds of winning by covering two outcomes in a single bet. The three options are:
1X: Home win or draw.
X2: Away win or draw.
12: Either team wins (no draw).
Example: If you bet on X2 for a match between Arsenal and Liverpool, you win if Liverpool wins or the game ends in a draw.
4. Asian Handicap
Asian Handicap (AH) eliminates the possibility of a draw by applying a goal handicap to the stronger team. If the handicap is a fraction (e.g., -0.5), it prevents a push, whereas whole-number handicaps may result in a draw, refunding the stake.
Example: If you bet on Liverpool -1.5 and they win 3-1, your bet wins, as Liverpool has covered the handicap.
5. European Handicap
European Handicap (EH) is similar to Asian Handicap but includes the possibility of a draw after applying the handicap. This market typically features 3-way outcomes:
Home Win after handicap.
Draw after handicap.
Away Win after handicap.
Example: A bet on Real Madrid -2 EH wins if Real Madrid wins by 3 goals or more.
6. Draw No Bet
Draw No Bet (DNB) removes the draw option from the equation. If the match ends in a draw, the stake is refunded. This market is ideal for cautious bettors who prefer reduced risk.
Example: If you bet on Manchester City to win with Draw No Bet and the match ends 1-1, your stake is returned.
7. Double Results
Double results (or half-time/full-time bets) involve predicting the outcome at both half-time and full-time. You must correctly forecast the results of both periods to win.
Market Example:
Liverpool / Liverpool 3.20 (Meaning: Liverpool winning at half-time and win the game)
Liverpool / Draw 15.00
Liverpool / Man Utd 34.00
Draw / Draw 5.50
Draw / Liverpool 5.50
Draw / Man Utd 8.50
Man Utd / Man Utd 5.50
Man Utd / Draw 15.00
Man Utd / Liverpool 23.00
Example: A bet on Liverpool/Liverpool means Liverpool must lead at half-time and win the match.
8. Goal Scorer Markets
These markets focus on predicting individual player performances, such as:
First Goal Scorer: Player to score the first goal.
Anytime Goal Scorer: Player to score at any point in the match.
Last Goal Scorer: Player to score the last goal.
*WARNING*
Look out for "Own goals not included" Some bookmakers say that if an own goal is scored then the player who scored the own does not count as a goal scorer of the game.
Example: A bet on Harry Kane as Anytime Goal Scorer wins if he scores at any point in the match.
9. Player Props (Assist, Shots, Passes, etc.)
Player proposition bets, or props, allow you to bet on various player statistics, such as:
Total Assists: Number of assists provided by a player.
Shots on Target: Total shots a player has on target.
Pass Accuracy: Percentage of successful passes.
Example: Betting on Lionel Messi to have over 3 shots on target offers excellent value if he is in form.
10. Corner Markets
Corner markets allow you to bet on the total number of corners during a match. Options include:
Over/Under Corners: Predicting whether the total corners will be over or under a set number.
First Team to Win X Corners: Betting on which team reaches a specified number of corners first.
Example: A bet on Over 10.5 corners wins if 11 or more corners are awarded in the match.
11. Number of Yellow/Red Cards
This market involves betting on the total number of yellow or red cards issued during a match. Bets can be placed on:
Over/Under Cards: Predicting whether the total number of cards will exceed or fall below a given number.
First Team to Receive a Card: Betting on which team receives the first card.
Example: If you bet on Over 3.5 cards and there are 4 cards shown, you win.
12. Correct Score
The correct score market requires predicting the exact final score of the match. This market offers high odds due to its difficulty but can be rewarding if correctly predicted. Typically the odds will go from 6.00 up to 101.00 depending on the score you choose. For example:
| Barcelona | Draw | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| 1-0 8.50 | 0-0 12.00 | 1-0 12.00 |
| 2-0 11.00 | 1-1 7.50 | 2-0 19.00 |
| 2-1 8.50 | 2-2 15.00 | 2-1 12.00 |
| 3-0 19.00 | 3-3 51.00 | 3-0 41.00 |
| 3-1 15.00 | 4-4 151.00 | 3-1 26.00 |
*WARNING*
Correct score betting only applies for the 90 mins + stoppage time - that is "Full Time" NOT "Extra Time" - it does not include any extra time goals or penalties after the game.
Example: A bet on 2-1 for Barcelona wins only if the match ends 2-1 in Barcelona's favor.
13. 1st Half Markets
First-half markets allow you to bet on events occurring within the first 45 minutes of a match. Popular options include:
1st Half Result: Predicting the outcome at half-time.
1st Half Goals: Betting on the number of goals scored before the break.
Example: A bet on Over 1.5 goals in the first half wins if 2 or more goals are scored before halftime.
14. 2nd Half Markets
Similar to first-half markets, second-half markets focus on outcomes occurring after the interval. You can bet on:
2nd Half Result: Predicting the outcome of the second half.(Note:It is not include the 1st half result)
2nd Half Goals: Betting on the number of goals scored after the break.
Example: Betting on Liverpool to win the 2nd half means they must score more goals than their opponent after halftime.
15. Penalty Shoots
In knockout competitions, betting on penalty shootouts has become increasingly popular. You can bet on:
Team to Win on Penalties: Predicting which team will win the shootout.
Number of Penalties Scored: Betting on the total number of successful penalties.
Example: A bet on Argentina to win on penalties pays out if they win in a penalty shootout.
Special Markets
Finally there are usually Match "Specials" offered - these are usually very clear and straightforward to understand. Below is a list of some standard "Special" bets for a match:
Examples
Both Teams to Score
First goal to be an own goal
Who will keep a clean sheet?
Player to score and get a red card
Any Goalkeeper to score
Live Football Betting Markets Explained
Live (in-play) betting allows bettors to place wagers after the match has started. This dynamic form of betting takes advantage of changing momentum, player performance, and tactical shifts. Popular live betting markets include:
Next Goal: Bet on which team will score the next goal.
Match Result After X Minutes: Predict the outcome based on the current match situation.
Number of Corners, Cards, or Goals: Live bets based on in-game statistics.
Live betting provides opportunities to make real-time decisions, allowing bettors to capitalize on game developments.
Conclusion: Master Football Match Betting Markets
Understanding the various football match betting markets can significantly enhance your betting strategy. Whether you're focusing on predicting the match outcome, goal totals, or player performances, knowing the nuances of each market gives you a competitive edge.
Live betting adds another layer of excitement, offering real-time opportunities to maximize profits.
By combining pre-match analysis with in-play adaptability, you can improve your chances of making successful wagers and boosting your overall returns.
