Wondering how to bet on football? Here’s an in-depth guide on how to bet on soccer, including football betting advice and the best way to win a football bet.
Football is the world’s most popular sport, and for millions of fans, placing a football bet adds an extra layer of excitement to every match. Whether you’re a casual punter or looking to develop a more strategic approach, learning how to bet on football is essential. Here are some of our tips on how to bet on football matches.
How does football betting work?
From the Premier League and Champions League to major international tournaments, there’s no shortage of opportunities to back your predictions. In this guide, we’ll share football betting advice to help you understand key markets, manage your budget, and make the most of pre-match and in-play betting.
We’ll also explain how to bet on football online, so you can quickly and easily get involved from anywhere. By understanding the basics, you’ll be better placed to enjoy the thrill of the game whilst betting responsibly.
How to read football betting odds
Wondering how to bet on football in the UK? Betway makes it very simple, as we display our football betting odds in fractional format. Fractional odds show you how much profit you stand to make in relation to your stake.
For example, if England are priced at 3/1 to beat France in the World Cup, this means you could win £3 profit for every £1 you bet, plus your original stake back if the bet is successful. Understanding these odds is key to making informed decisions, as they also indicate the implied probability of an outcome.
What is the best way to win a football bet?
There’s no guaranteed formula when it comes to finding the best way to win a football bet. However, there are some smart strategies that can improve your chances:
Research: If you’re learning how to bet on football, start with solid preparation by researching the teams, players, recent form, injuries, and even the weather, as all of these can influence the result. Understanding the competition format (i.e. knowing whether it’s a league, knockout, or friendly match) and the stakes for each match will also help you to spot value in the odds.
In-play betting: In-play betting is another option, allowing you to place bets as the match unfolds, giving you the chance to react to the momentum and tactical changes in real time.
Stick to budget: Above all, keep your betting disciplined. Set a budget, stick to it, and focus on markets you understand well. The more informed and strategic your approach, the better your chances of enjoying both the game and the bet.
Mistakes to avoid when betting on football
Even experienced bettors can fall into these traps when deciding how to bet on football, so make sure to remain cautious:
Betting with emotion rather than logic: Backing your favourite team without considering the form, stats, or realistic chances of winning is always a poor idea.
Ignoring value in the odds: Focusing only on the most likely winners based on the odds, rather than spotting where the price may underestimate a team’s potential.
Chasing losses: Placing bigger or riskier bets to recover previous losses, which often leads to further setbacks.
Common football betting markets
Seeing how we’re sharing tips on how to bet on football matches, we’d better tell you about the football betting markets available. Below are some of the most popular and how they work:
Win/draw/win: A straightforward bet on whether the home team will win, the away team will win, or the match will end in a draw.
Double chance: Covers two possible outcomes with one bet, such as home win or draw, away win or draw, or home or away win.
Draw no bet: Your stake is returned if the match ends in a draw; otherwise, you win if your chosen team wins.
Correct score: Predicting the exact final score of the match, such as 2–1 or 1–1.
Both teams to score: A bet on whether both sides will find the net during the match, regardless of the final result.
Under/over: Betting on whether the total number of goals in the match will be under or over a set figure.
Total goals: Predicting the exact total number of goals scored in the match by both teams combined.
Goalscorer: Betting on a specific player to score, often with options like first goalscorer, last goalscorer, or anytime scorer.
Types of football bet
Now that you have an idea of how to place a bet on football, here are the most popular types of football bet:
Accumulator: A single bet that combines multiple selections into one bet. All selections must win for the bet to pay out, but the combined odds can lead to higher potential returns.
Bet Builder: A customised bet where you combine multiple markets from the same match, such as the match result, a goalscorer, and the total number of corners.
In-play: Also called live betting, this allows you to place bets after the match has started, with odds updating in real time based on the action.
Handicap: A market that gives one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage to balance the odds, such as a team having to win by two or more goals for the bet to succeed.
Popular football events and competitions
Football is the world’s most watched sport, and with so many tournaments taking place year-round, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get involved. Whether you’re backing your favourite club, following an international showdown, or simply looking for value in the odds, here are some of the most popular competitions to explore:
Premier League
The Premier League is the crown jewel of English football, featuring 20 elite clubs battling it out from August to May. Known for its unpredictable results, it’s a playground for football betting fans.
FA Cup
The magic of the FA Cup lies in its giant-killing potential, where lower-league teams often upset top-tier sides. Every round brings intense drama and fresh betting opportunities.
EFL Cup
For fast-paced midweek action, the EFL Cup offers a knockout format that keeps fans guessing, often giving new players the chance to shine.
Champions League
On the European stage, the Champions League brings together the continent’s best clubs in a competition that delivers world-class football and iconic moments every season.
World Cup
And of course, nothing compares to the World Cup, the pinnacle of international football. This is where nations compete for the sport’s ultimate prize every four years. With the latest edition just around the corner, make sure to stay tuned for more insights as we get closer!
How to bet on football online
You now know how to bet on football, and placing a football bet with Betway is quick, secure, and simple. First, you’ll need to create an account. You can do this in just a few minutes via our account registration page.
Once registered, browse our football sportsbook to find the match or competition you want to bet on. Select your preferred market, enter your stake, and your potential returns will be displayed instantly. When you’re happy with your selection, confirm your bet. You’re now all set to follow the action live!
Where to bet on football markets
If you’re ready to put these tips on how to bet on football into action, the best place to start is with our dedicated football sportsbook. Here, you can explore the latest odds for matches across the globe, from top-tier leagues to international tournaments.
Whether you’re looking to back a favourite, try an accumulator or explore in-play options, you’ll find a huge range of options to suit your style. Check the fixtures, review the markets, and get involved in the excitement of the beautiful game.
Stay ahead of the game with the Betway Sports app! Download it now from the Play Store or the App Store to enjoy live betting, real-time updates, and exclusive offers right at your fingertips.
