Betting on soccer can be tough especially when you’re new. But don’t worry, we’re not gonna leave you hangin’ — with these winning soccer betting strategies, you’ll be able to level up your game in no time.
Soccer has become pretty popular in the US, and a big part of that is thanks to the legalization of sports betting in 2018. Online platforms have made it super easy to bet on everything from match winners to corner kicks — so you can bet from your couch or even your bathroom (no judgment).
Huge events like the World Cup have pulled in more American fans. With more people watching and betting, soccer is set to keep getting better in the US.
According to stats, “The U.S. sports betting market was worth $13.76 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow by 10.5% each year from 2024 to 2030.”
However, if you think you’ll get lucky just by betting on favorites — you’re heavily mistaken.
You might bet for the thrill or to make some extra cash, but be cautious — if you’re not careful, you could lose it all on a wrong bet. It’s all fun and games until your wallet goes on a diet.
To minimize the risk of potential loss and increase your chances at big payouts, explore these common soccer betting types and 15 easy-to-master strategies that can turn out to be a game-changer for you.
Before you actually put your money on the line, you need to have a good grasp of the basics. Knowing the betting types first sets the groundwork for building smarter, more adaptable strategies that give you the best shot at winning.
Here are some of the most common betting types in soccer, designed to make you feel like a pro when you’re at the bookies.
The classic! You’re simply picking who wins — home, away or a draw. No need to worry about the scoreline as long as your team wins before the final whistle.
Playing it safe here. You bet on two outcomes (e.g., home, win or draw), giving you a much better chance to win, though with lower odds.
You pick a winner, and if the game ends in a draw, you get your stake back. It’s a great way to avoid losing when the match doesn't go your way.
Feeling lucky? Guess the exact final score. It’s tough to nail, but the payoff is worth it if you pull it off.
Perfect for mismatched games. The favorite starts with a goal handicap, and they have to overcome that for their bet to win. It’s a little more complicated but makes lopsided matches interesting.
Don’t assume matches are fixed just because the odds seem sky-high or your bet doesn't hit. Instead, focus on what you can actually control. Did you check the team's recent form? Were there any injuries or tactical changes you missed?
If you spot patterns and stay updated with team news, you’ll make better betting decisions — you just have to put your mind and energy in the right place!
Betting on big-name teams just because they’re popular can be risky. It’s like choosing the most talked-about dish at a restaurant, only to find out it’s not all that. If Liverpool and Manchester City are playing, you might assume over 2.5 goals is a safe bet.
But if both teams have solid defenses, you might end up with a scoreline that’s more anticlimactic than you’d hoped. Always consider how the teams play against each other and the context of the match before making your bet.
If a big team like a -300 favorite, finds themselves down to 1-0 early on, don’t give up on them just yet. Instead, think about placing a live bet. Even if they had a rough start and seemed sluggish in the first half, top teams often recover and end up turning the game around. Betting on these favorites during their slow periods can be savvy more, as they frequently hit their stride and secure the win.
In soccer, value betting can be profitable. It involves finding bets where the odds are higher than the actual probability of an outcome. Instead of betting on everything that looks safe, focus on matches where you can spot high-value odds.
For instance, if the odds for over 1.5 goals in an Alaves vs Mallorca match are unusually high, and you know both teams are likely to score, that’s a value bet. Pros use this strategy by placing fewer but more profitable bets, focusing on those high-value opportunities.
To improve your soccer betting, try alternatives to the over/under 2.5 goals market. Instead of betting on whether there will be over or under 2.5 goals in a game, focus on bets like over 1.5 goals and under 3.5 goals.
This approach reduces risk and can offer better returns. For instance, betting on two games to have over 1.5 goals each can be safer and more profitable than betting on a single game to have over 2.5 goals. This way, you avoid the unpredictability of one game and increase your chances of making a profit.
When Newcastle United takes on a struggling side, betting straight on their win can feel like a no-brainer — so boring that you might as well watch the paint dry.
Instead, shake things up with prop bets. For instance, instead of betting Newcastle to win at an unexciting -350, you could bet on Callum Wilson to score anytime and Newcastle to win, which might give you better odds around -200.
Or, if you’re feeling bold, place a bet on Newcastle to score in both halves. By exploring these alternative bets, you can make even a predictable Newcastle match more thrilling and potentially rewarding.
Odds show how likely it is for a team to win and how much you could win. Just because a top team like Manchester City has very low odds (like 1.20) doesn't mean it’s a guaranteed win.
Check if there’s something unusual, like a keep player being out injured or the underdog team showing unexpected strength. Sometimes, higher odds on a less obvious bet can be more rewarding.
During major soccer events like the World Cup, casual bettors often show up, and mismatches between teams become more noticeable. While it’s tempting to bet on underdogs, they rarely progress far in these tournaments.
Instead of betting on them to win outright, consider placing bets on alternate markets, such as which team will score first. This approach takes advantage of the occasional lucky goal or early standout performance rather than expecting the underdog to win the entire match.
Live betting lets you see how teams are performing during the match, making it easier to place informed bets based on the game’s performance.
Rely on reputable sports news websites and official team updates to get the latest scoop. Sites like Sports Mole and Sky Sports can be your best friends, dishing out juicy details about team performance and player conditions. But remember, these predictions aren’t written on stone tablets — use their info as a helpful nudge, not as a crystal ball.
Some leagues are better for straight-win bets than others. For instance, leagues like Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga often have more predictable outcomes than France’s Ligue 1 or Germany’s Bundesliga. While no league is perfect, focusing on these more stable leagues can help make you smarter bets, click here.
A common mistake is trying to bet on every big team or getting bogged down by too many options. Keep it simple: zero in on teams you’ve actually studied and feel good about. Spreading yourself too thin can water down your betting strategy and turn your efforts into a guessing game.
Betting for fun can cloud judgment. Avoid placing bets based on what you hope to see or emotional preferences. Instead, base your bets on through analysis and factual information to increase your chances of success.
Why bet solo when you can enlist the help of professional tipsters? These experts dive deep into stats and game insights, saving you from the grind of doing it all yourself. A reliable tipster or tipster service can offer valuable predictions and advice, making your betting strategy sharper and more informed.
Skipping a review of your past bets is like avoiding a workout after a cheat meal — it’s a missed opportunity to improve. When you lose a bet, don’t just brush it off. Go back and see what went wrong.
Maybe you bet on a team that was having an off day. Reviewing your past bets helps you spot patterns and avoid repeating mistakes. For example, if you keep losing bets on teams with weak defenses, you’ll learn to be more cautious in future.
Betting on soccer doesn't have to feel like throwing darts at a wall. Now you’ve got the 15 best soccer betting strategies that can either increase your chances of landing those big payouts or save you from some gut-wrenching losses.
Whether you’re mixing up your bets, utilizing in-play options, or simply reviewing past bets for improvement, a good strategy is the key to staying ahead in the game. Stay sharp and bet smart!
