Football is one of the most popular sports to bet on, and in some countries like the UK, it makes up more than 30% of the entire betting market. Why?
Well, there are many things that make the entire journey enjoyable. First of all, games are fun (although recently games have turned into goalless events), the betting side is supported by data, and there are plenty of betting markets that will help you build a bulletproof strategy.
It’s no secret that some bets have a higher win rate than others. That’s the same in any form of gambling even at OC88 casino and sportsbook, as you can see here: https://oc88.com/
When it comes to football, you can bet on pretty much anything. Some bettors stick to traditional and simple betting markets like the full-time result, and others go into Asian handicaps, goal scorers, or even yellow cards.
But which are the best betting markets to tackle in football betting? Well, if you want to find the best betting markets, the best thing is to look at the most popular ones. Since they draw most of the action, this suggests that they bring some profits to bettors, right?
Well, nothing is guaranteed in football betting, but knowing where to start gives you a chance to calculate risks, create a long-term strategy, and hopefully make some profits.
So, which are the top 5 football betting markets, and what do they mean?
1. Match Result (1X2)
What is it?
This is one of the most popular betting markets in football and for a good reason. First of all, it gives you quite good risk management options. Plus, it is quite straightforward, which is why it is so popular among new bettors.
Match Result bet is quite simple. You can predict whether the home team (1) will win if the match will end in a draw (X), or if the away team (2) clutches the win.
What makes it popular?
Well, it is probably a popular option just because it’s quite simple and a great starting point for beginners. On top of that, every game has a result, making it a consistent betting option.
The Match Result bet is the bread and butter of football betting. It’s as straightforward as it gets: you predict whether the home team (1) will win, the match will end in a draw (X), or the away team (2) will triumph.
Just as valuable data that can help you when choosing your betting outcome, in the 2022/23 Premier League season, at one point 49.3% of matches ended with a home win, 24% were draws, and 31% were away wins.
2. Over/Under Goals
What is it?
This is another simple bet in the world of football. It comes down to the number of goals scored in a match being over or under a specific number. This number is set by the bookkeeper and it is usually 2.5 goals.
This is a great betting choice when you are not entirely sure about the final outcome of the game. For example, if we are talking about two evenly-matched teams, it is quite hard to predict which team is going to win.
But it might be easier to predict an Over/Under bet in total goals in the match.
Why is it popular?
First of all, it provides a lot of flexibility and you can still win a bet even if the match goes in a completely different direction. You just have to figure out one thing. If it is going to be a high or low-scoring game.
On top of that, betting on goals improves the user experience when watching these games. Unlike other bets where you hope that the opposing team doesn’t score, betting over or under actually allows you to enjoy some exciting football and don’t strategize that much.
3. Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
What is it?
It is quite simple, and the name is self-explanatory. Both teams have to score at least one goal. This is another popular betting market, and bettors often place this bet when two evenly matched teams go head-to-head.
Why is it popular?
This is another simple bet that makes football exciting to watch, and you will be cheering for every goal. In other words, you are on the edge of your seat until the final whistle and cheer every scored goal no matter the team.
4. Asian Handicap
What is it? Asian Handicap betting aims to level the playing field between two teams, making the bet more competitive. It eliminates the possibility of a draw by giving one team a virtual head start.
Why is it popular?
Balanced Odds: It provides better odds-on favorites and makes betting on underdogs more attractive.
Reduced Risk: With the draw option removed, it can feel like a safer bet.
Pro Tip: Asian Handicap is especially useful in matches with a clear favorite, as it adds a layer of strategy.
5. Correct Score
What is it?
Correct Score betting involves predicting the exact final score of a match. It’s one of the more challenging bets but offers higher odds.
Why is it popular?
High Reward: Due to the difficulty, successful bets can yield significant payouts.
Strategic Play: It requires in-depth knowledge and analysis, appealing to experienced bettors.
Markets to Avoid
- Correct score (It is too difficult to predict)
- To Win from behind (Rarely happens)
- Match Result & Both Teams to Score (Not allowing too much freedom)
- Total goal minutes (There is no data that can support the minute of each goal)
