Soccer is still the biggest sport on the planet and is enjoyed by billions of people in every corner of the globe. It is not just watching or playing soccer that people love, though – many fans also like betting on the game. This is understandable, when you see the fun it brings to games and how much more interesting it can make them to watch.
If you fancy betting on soccer, it goes without saying that you should first find out what to do. But how do you get started with placing bets on the beautiful game?
Choose a reputable sportsbook to bet with
Before we get to the heart of how to bet on soccer, it is essential to start by choosing a safe, reputable sportsbook to place wagers with. Make sure to take your time and have a good look through all the choices available. Alongside picking a site with great customer support, lots of markets and excellent security measures, you might also want to look for one that has great bonus offers and that caters to mobile betting.
Find out the best leagues to bet on
Soccer is played all over the world and most sportsbooks now also carry matches from some pretty obscure leagues. It usually pays, though, to focus your attention on the elite-level competitions, which get the most attention worldwide. This is because it is easier to find information on upcoming matches from these leagues, you will know more about them yourself as a starting point and you’ll get the best odds/action on them.
But which leagues is it worth focusing on? Mexican soccer is in great shape for sure and this makes betting on Liga MX interesting. Its cousin in North America, the MLS, is also worth looking out for and has lots of games to bet on. Of course, you also have the established European leagues, such as the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga, to think about. Throw in tournaments like the UEFA Champions League and World Cup and you have plenty of top-class action to bet on.
Get to know the most popular bets to make
It is also worth getting to grips with popular bets you can make in soccer. The most basic is bet is on which team will win or if the match will be a draw. This is usually referred to as a Moneyline bet. These bets essentially pay out more if the underdog wins and less if the favorite comes home in front.
Many bettors also like to dip their toes into the Points Spread or Spread Betting markets. Points Spread sees the sportsbooks set a goal difference pre-game, which the favorite has to overcome to win the bet. The underdog, on the other hand, has to lose by less than this figure for your bet to win.
Spread Betting does not involve fixed odds and the amount you win or lose depends on how the game pans out. In essence, bettors buy or sell bets at posted amounts – they then win or lose various amounts in relation to the line that has been set, once the game is done.
Aside from these three major markets to know about, you could always bet on some others. Both Teams to Score is as it sounds, and would see a result such as Norwich 2 – Everton 1 return a winning wager, while Goal Line (Over/Under) sees you bet on whether a pre-set number of goals will be scored or not.
Make sure to do your research before betting
One great tip for getting started with soccer betting is to remember to do your research before betting. It is never a good idea to bet on gut instinct or just based on backing your favorite side!
The good news is that there are lots of places to find the information you need to bet. Key data can be tracked down at online sports analysis sites, for example, with no hassle. Sites like these are worth using because they not only bring together the data you need in one handy place but also show the best odds you can get on a game, and provide analysis of the upcoming action.
Soccer betting: knowledge is power
Soccer is a sport we love to watch, love to play and love to read about. Reports covering Arsenal’s dismal form in early 2022, for example, are always popular. Betting on soccer is also well-loved and something many get involved with now. If you plan to get going on this too, the points discussed here cover the basics, and any newcomer to betting on this sport should find them helpful