How to Bet on Soccer: Betting Guide

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. It is growing in the US and sports betting is helping the sport draw interest. Are you looking to start betting on soccer matches at the top sportsbooks? There are a few things you need to know before you get started with the best soccer betting sites. Here’s a guide on how to bet on soccer.

How Soccer is Played

To have an easy time betting on soccer, it’s important to understand the basics of the sport. A standard game involves two teams of eleven players each, playing for 90 minutes divided into two 45-minute halves, with a few extra minutes added at the end for stoppage time due to factors such as goals, injuries, and penalties.

Soccer is a low-scoring sport, and draws are not uncommon. In the knockout stages of competitions, teams may play an extra 30-minute period (two 15-minute halves) to break a tie. If no winner emerges, a penalty shootout is used to determine the victor. However, these overtime and shootout scenarios are relatively rare, so most soccer betting lines are based on the regular 90 minutes of play.

Soccer Betting Lines

There are plenty of different ways to bet on soccer. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can bet on teams, players, and more. Here are some of the popular bet types.

Moneyline

A moneyline bet is placing a wager on a team to win. Soccer, it’s a little different than most sports. There are a couple of ways to go about a moneyline bet due to how many draws there are in the sport. Let’s look at the three-way and two-way moneyline.

Three-Way Moneyline

The three-way moneyline is a popular soccer betting option where you wager on the outcome of the game after regulation time. This type of moneyline offers three betting options: either a team to win or a draw. For example, you might see the United States playing Argentina in the World Cup.

Argentina has -130 odds to win the game while the United States is +210. The odds of a draw are +160. You have three different options to bet on this particular game.

Two-Way Moneyline

The two-way moneyline in soccer is a betting option that excludes the possibility of a draw, with only a win or loss outcome. This type of bet is commonly used in knockout stages of tournaments where a winner must be determined.

For example, if the U18 Mexico and US Men’s National teams meet in the semi-finals of the U18 World Cup, only one team will progress to the final, meaning there must be a winner and a loser either through added time or a shootout.

Goal Lines (Spread)

A goal line is like a point spread. You are betting on the goal difference between the teams. For example, team A is favored by -1.5 goals. Think of it as a -1.5 spread. If you bet on team A, they would need to win by two goals or more to cover the goal spread. Team B would have a goal line of +1.5. They would have to lose by one goal or less to win the bet and cover the spread.

Goal lines are usually small due to the low number of goals scored in soccer games. A lot of games end with just a one-goal difference. The odds for a goal-line bet are usually around -110 but can vary.

For example, let’s say Manchester United was -1.5 favorites with odds of -130. That means a $130 bet on Manchester United would win $100. If the odds were -120, it would be 120 to win 100.

Let’s say the odds were +100. It would be 100 to win 100. It’s easy to see why odds are important and why you would need to know how to read soccer odds. It has a significant impact on the amount you can win.

Totals

A total bet is called an over/under bet. These are wagers on the total number of goals scored by both teams. A sportsbook will set a line for the expected number of goals and you bet on whether the score will exceed it. 

For example, you want to bet on Italy vs Germany in the World Cup. You see that the total is 3.5 goals. You decided to bet the over. Italy wins 2-1. Your bet would lose because only three total goals were scored in the game.

Futures

Futures bets are long-term wagers on the outcome of a season or tournament, either team-based or player-based. For instance, popular soccer futures include who will win the league title, who will win the golden boot (score the most goals), which teams will be relegated, or which player will have the most assists in major leagues like EPL, La Liga, Serie A, etc. 

The odds for these bets are attractive and change throughout the season or event based on results and injuries.

Props

Soccer prop bets are wagers placed on specific occurrences within a game that do not necessarily relate to the outcome. These can include betting on which players will score goals, the number of corner kicks, the number of fouls, and how many cards will be handed out.

These types of bets can be entertaining and offer a wide range of options for bettors, particularly during major events such as the Champions League.

Derivatives

Soccer matches can be tense and unpredictable, lasting for a full 90 minutes. If you prefer shorter bets, there are derivatives available. These are wagers on specific segments of the game, such as the first or second half, the last five minutes, or added time.

Asian Handicaps

Asian handicaps are wagers on soccer spreads or goal lines. Here’s the catch, it comes with a twist. Soccer bettors can spread their wagers across various results and increments. These include 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 goal handicaps. The point of Asian handicaps is to help accommodate the low-scoring nature of the game.

Let’s say Argentina has an Asian handicap of -1.75 vs France in a World Cup game. A $100 wager on them puts $50 on -1.5 and $50 on -2.0. If they win by three goals, you win the entire bet. If they win by two goals, you win the wager on -1.5 and are refunded the amount on -2.0 as a push. But if they win by one goal, draw, or lose the game, you lose the entire bet. 

Soccer Overtime Rules for Betting

Most soccer bets are settled after 90 minutes of play, plus any additional stoppage time added by the referee. Overtime does not count in the bet unless otherwise specified, even in tournament games. To include overtime or penalty shootouts in your bet, you must look for specific wagers such as “Mexico to advance” or “Italy to lift the cup”.

However, some sportsbooks offer live betting options well into overtime and penalty shootouts if the game reaches that stage. Additionally, you can find prop bets that are specific to games going into overtime, particularly in the knockout stages of soccer tournaments.

Best Online Sportsbooks for Soccer Odds and to Bet Soccer

If you are looking at getting into soccer gambling, the top betting sites offer solid odds. If you are considering placing a bet, check out some of these sportsbooks. They have moneylines, totals, props, and more. Whether backing the favorite or throwing a bet on the underdog, these sportsbooks have you covered.

BetMGM

BetMGM is a well-respected and widely recognized name in the sports betting industry, offering a variety of features to its customers, such as live betting, the option to “edit my bet”, and more. Additionally, the sportsbook provides exclusive promotions for new users throughout the year, including many soccer odds.

FanDuel

FanDuel is a highly regarded and reputable sportsbook known for its exceptional live betting options, making it one of the best in the industry. It’s a great choice for beginners who are learning how to bet on soccer, as the sportsbook offers users the opportunity to bet on top games and teams in soccer.

DraftKings

DraftKings is a widely used and highly popular sports betting platform in the United States. The platform boasts a rewards program that enables users to earn bonuses, promotions, odds boosts, and other benefits specifically tailored for soccer bettors.

Betfred

Betfred is making progress in the sports betting industry and expanding its presence in the United States. The sportsbook provides several notable features, such as promotional offers, live betting options, and early cashouts, making it an excellent choice for soccer bettors who are just getting started.

Tipico

Tipico Sportsbook is accessible in various states, such as Ohio, New Jersey, Colorado, and Iowa, offering bettors a diverse range of features and options.

For new soccer bettors seeking to take advantage of bonuses and additional options, Tipico Sportsbook is an excellent choice. Users can expect to receive solid bonuses and other valuable benefits while using this sportsbook.

Caesars

Caesars is known for having one of the best VIP reward programs in the sports betting industry, which helps bettors earn valuable rewards. In addition to this program, the sportsbook offers live betting, promotions, odds boosts, and other features.

BetRivers

BetRivers is rapidly expanding and is an excellent option for sports bettors who want to place soccer wagers. The sportsbook provides a plethora of features, including second-chance bets, odds boosts, rewards, and other exciting options that users can take advantage of.

Leagues and the World Cup

There is plenty of action to get in on if you are looking to bet on soccer. There are leagues all over the world. The game of soccer is extremely popular across the globe and many sportsbooks will have betting action for the top leagues.

There is the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, the MLS, and more. Every four years, the world enjoys the World Cup as the most-watched sporting event on the planet. There is no shortage of betting options throughout the year.

In Europe, there is also the Champions League. It’s the biggest club competition in the world. The best teams from the top leagues in Europe compete to call themselves the kings of Europe.

How to Bet on Soccer FAQs

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