A core understanding of sports betting is vital before placing any wager. Due to the popularity of football, and the competition between football betting sites, this is of utmost importance. It’s key to placing smart sports bets with clever betting strategies that are much more likely to win.
In this article, we’ll cover how to bet on football for beginners and everything you need to know about wagering on the sport. From betting strategies and terminology to betting types and tips to follow – check out our guide on how to bet on football below.
How Does Football Betting Work
Football betting, at its core, follows the same pattern as any sports bet. Punters place wagers on various match/tournament outcomes to secure a win on their betslip.
As the UK’s most popular sport, the football betting markets are vast among the best betting sites. Common bet types include “Match Result”, “Number of Goals”, “Both Teams To Score”, “First to Score”, “Number of Corners”, “Number of Fouls” and so much more. Punters may also benefit from Accumulators, Bet Builders and Request a Bet services
In the Euro 2024 final, England played Spain with average odds of 11/8 to win. If a bettor placed a £10 bet on an England win, they would have received a payout of £23.80 if they won. Spain had the average odds of 8/11 to win. A £10 bet placed on the Spanish side would return a total of £17.30 to bettors.
How to Bet on Football – Step-By-Step Guide
Interested in placing a wager on an upcoming tournament or match? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to bet on football games below.
1. Open Your Favourite Bookie
Choosing either your favourite bookie or one of the best football betting websites is the first step to placing any wager.
If you’re not already a loyal betting fan, look for a bookie offering great football odds, existing player promotions and a hearty welcome offer to get the ball rolling. Create an account, verify your identity and deposit to complete the first step.
2. Navigate to the Football Markets
Navigate to the sports betting markets, identifying football from the list of available sports. This should be on the top of the pile for the majority of bookmakers.
Look for a tournament or game that you’re interested in wagering on. This can be in the standard markets or the live/in-play menus.
3. Select Your Bet Type
Once you’ve found a suitable game, it’s time to select your bet type from the long list available.
We encourage beginners to choose a simple bet, such as the winning team, both teams to score, or a specific goal scorer. Add your selection to the betslip.
4. Select Your Stake and Place Your Bet
With your bet added to the in-platform betslip, it’s time to make your wager. Simply enter your chosen stake amount (e.g. £1.00) and select the “Place Bet” button to lock in your selection.
5. Consider Cash Out
Placing your bet isn’t always the final step – most online bookies actually offer cash-out options, increasing the level of control that bettors have over their wagers.
Head to the “My Bets” section to find your active wagers and look for a price next to your wager with the “Cash Out” button. If the value increases to a return that you’re happy with, consider an early cash-out to lock in a profit, regardless of the final outcome.
Top Proven Football Betting Strategies
Those serious about betting on football may be interested in placing bets with a focus on strategy. There’s a huge number of options out there for football fans – some of the most popular are listed below.
Arbitrage
Arbitrage betting, also known as arbing, is a popular betting strategy used by bettors with access to an exchange. In its simplest form, arbitrage betting involves backing a selection at a higher price than is possible at an exchange.
For example, Unibet offers 6/4 (2.50) that Liverpool will win against Chelsea. On the Betfair Exchange, the price to lay Liverpool is 2.3 – shorter than the 6/4 odds at Unibet. To guarantee a profit, simply place the bet with Unibet and lay the same selection on Betfair.
Bookmakers aren’t the biggest fans of players taking advantage of arbitrage betting. If you’re identified as an “Arber”, chances are that you’ll get your account restricted.
Matched Betting
Matched betting is one of the better ways to beat the bookies, but don’t expect huge returns from the strategy. This is one of those strategies that’s great for small wins every now and then, but not too much more.
The concept of match betting is to benefit from the free bets offered to newbies who sign up to a bookmaker. Similar to arbitrage betting, bettors can place the free bet and lay off on the exchange.
Profit is small in match betting – not ideal for those looking to win big at the bookies. But for small guaranteed wins, it’s one of the most interesting answers to how to place a bet on football that wins.
Find Proven Tipsters
Developing an intricate knowledge of a sport is tricky and time-consuming – it’s not for everyone. But there’s a whole community of tipsters out there whose job it is to advise punters on their betting habits.
Unfortunately, the tipster trade can and often does attract the wrong crowd. It’s easy to get caught in a “get rich quick” scheme offered by a tipster who doesn’t really know what they’re doing. Instead, look for those with a clear track record to look back on.
Read the reasoning behind each suggested bet and, when placing cloned wagers, start small and see the results for yourself. The biggest challenge is finding trustworthy tipsters to start with, but once you do, the results can be great.
Pareto
Pareto is another interesting betting strategy dedicated to answering the “how to bet on football and win” question.
The principle, typically used in business, states that 80% of all outcomes are derived from 20% of the causes. If we transfer this to football, we could argue that 80% of the trophies are earned from just 20% of the clubs. A quick look at the history books confirms this.
The idea, then, is to look at just 20% of the market and consider placing all bets there. This can take some trial and error to get right – especially with the wide range of markets offered by bookies. Target what you know best, keep in your lane and only wager on the top 20% in your niche.
Understanding Football Terminology
Football terminology can be confusing – especially for beginners. Check out our jargon-buster below to further your understanding of the beautiful game:
- Goal: Scoring a “goal” is the main objective of football. A team scores a goal when the ball crosses the opposition’s goal line, inside the area dictated by the goalposts and crossbar.
- Offside: Arguably the most confusing rule in football. An attacking player is noted to be offside when they are closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the last defender and the ball. The opposing team will receive a free-kick as a result.
- Corner Kick: A corner kick, commonly referred to simply as a “Corner”, is awarded to the attacking team when the ball exits play along the goal line when the final touch is from a defender. The corner kick is taken from the corresponding corner of the field.
- Goal Kick: A goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the ball exits play along the goal line when the final touch is from an attacker. The goal kick is taken by the goalkeeper from inside the penalty area.
- Free Kick: A free kick is awarded to the attacking team following any foul committed outside of the penalty area. The free kick is taken from the area immediately surrounding the foul.
- Penalty Kick: A penalty kick, commonly referred to simply as “A Penalty” is awarded to the attacking team following any foul committed inside of the penalty area. This must be taken with one player inside the penalty area from the penalty spot.
- Throw-In: A throw-in is awarded when the ball leaves the field of play via the sideline. The throw-in is awarded to the opposite team that touched the ball last. It must be taken overhead from the area immediately surrounding where the ball left play.
- Yellow Card: A yellow card is the first of two potential warnings issued by a referee. It can be issued for rule violations or misconduct within a game. Any player issued two yellow cards will consequently be issued a red card.
- Red Card: A red card results in immediate dismissal from the game for the entirety of the game remainder. Any player issued a red card cannot return to the field and cannot be replaced by a teammate. In the first instance, this leaves the offending players’ team with just 10 men.
There are many other rules and regulations in football, but the basics can be understood in the bullet points above.
Types of Football Bets Explained
As the most popular sport in the UK, it’s no surprise that the range of football bets on offer is off the charts. From player-specific wagers to simple match results bets, below are some of the most popular betting markets in the beautiful game.
Match Result
The match result, also known as the full-time result, is the most basic type of football bet available.
Bettors are simply required to place their wager on which team they think will win after the full-time whistle. Bettors may choose from win, loss and draw markets (describing the outcome for the home team). An example can be found in the table below:
| Win | Loss | Draw |
| 6/4 | 13/5 | 6/4 |
Both Teams To Score (BTTS)
The Both Teams To Score (BTTS) market is exactly what it says on the tin – the prediction of whether both teams will score inside the full-time whistle of a game.
Bettors can simply choose “yes” or “no” before adding the selection to their betslip. BTTS is a popular selection used in Bet Builders and Accumulators by experienced football bettors. An example of the basic BTTS market can be found in the table below:
| Yes | No |
| 4/9 | 13/8 |
Over/Under Goals
The Over/Under goals market involves a bettor predicting whether the total number of goals will be larger or smaller than a given number.
If a bettor predicts that there will be under three goals in a game, they can choose “Under 3.5”. If they believe they will be three or more, they may choose “Over 2.5”. An example can be found in the table below.
| Under Goals | Over Goals |
| 0.5 (16/1) | 0.5 (1/100) |
| 1.5 (4/1) | 1.5 (1/7) |
| 2.5 (11/8) | 2.5 (8/15) |
| 3.5 (8/15) | 3.5 (11/8) |
| 4.5 (1/5) | 4.5 (10/) |
Correct Score
The correct score market involves a player predicting the correct score exactly in a match.
A bettor may predict a 3-1 home win – they can add this exact prediction to their betslip. An example of the available markets and corresponding odds can be found in the table below:
| Home | Draw | Away |
| 1-0 (10/1) | 0-0 (16/1) | 0-1 (10/1) |
| 2-0 (14/1) | 1-1 (13/2) | 0-2 (14/1) |
| 2-1 (8/1) | 2-2 (10/1) | 1-2 (8/1) |
| 3-0 (25/1) | 3-3 (28/1) | 0-3 (25/1) |
| 3-1 (16/1) | 4-4 (100/1) | 1-3 (16/1) |
| 3-2 (18/1) | – | 2-3 (18/1) |
| 4-0 (66/1) | – | 0-4 (66/1) |
| 4-1 (33/1) | – | 1-4 (33/1) |
| 4-2 (40/1) | – | 2-4 (40/1) |
| 4-3 (66/1) | – | 3-4 (66/1) |
| 5-0 (125/1) | – | 0-5 (125/1) |
Full Time Result and Both Teams To Score
The Full Time Result and Both Teams To Score market combines two markets in a single wager.
Bettors must predict the winner (or choose the draw) in the game and whether both teams will score before the full-time whistle. An example can be found in the table below:
| Team Result and BTTS Prediction | Odds |
| West Ham and Yes | 3/1 |
| Draw and Yes | 10/3 |
| Aston Villa and Yes | 3/1 |
| West Ham and No | 9/2 |
| Draw and No | 16/1 |
| Aston Villa and No | 9/2 |
Important Tips to Consider Before Placing a Bet on Football
For football – or any sports betting – data is key. Learn how to bet on football using stats by considering the following before placing your next football wager:
- Current form – Assess the current form of each team (last 10+) games and their recent performances. Look for clues in winning streaks, losing streaks, home performances, away performances, etc. Pattern recognition plays a huge factor in betting.
- Head-to-Head Record – Similar to the current form, the head-to-head records of two teams can provide clues into the future result. Psychological advantages and fierce rivalries are common among teams. Dig up the history to help with your betting strategy.
- Team News and Injuries – Player news and injuries play a huge part in the performance of football teams. An injured key player can put a team at a large disadvantage that bookies can underestimate. Keep up to date on the teams you choose to wager on and the key developments in the teams.
- Tactical and Managerial Changes – The tactical approaches taken by the managerial staff can be a vital factor in the outcome of a game. Look for switches in formation, different players starting or changes in strategy. Interviews and match reports are good places to start when considering how the managerial staff intend to play a game.
- External Factors – A range of external factors can and often will affect the outcome of a game. The quality of the pitch, the venue itself, the weather, etc. all play into the performance of both teams. Additionally, don’t underestimate the home advantage and the performance benefits that it can bring to the home side.
Using tipsters can be a great way to get started, but distinguishing trustworthy tips from faux football knowledge is now more difficult than ever.
How Do You Know if the Football Betting Tips Are Trustworthy?
There’s an army of self-proclaimed experts out there claiming that their tips are the hottest thing on Twitter.
It’s seldom true, but there are some exceptions. So how do you cut through the noise and identify the trustworthy tips? Check out our top things to look out for below.
Track Record
Any genuinely successful tipster will have no issues with sharing their track record. Their wins, big and small, but more importantly, their losses. Look for tipsters who are happy to share it all and judge for yourself whether or not their judgment is something you can rely on. Tipsters that claim near 100% success rates should be given a wide berth.
Data Usage
A tipster who offers advice on “gut feeling” isn’t worth giving the time of day. Successful tipsters use large quantities of data to create statistical analyses from recent forms, head-to-head records, and so much more. Transparency in their approach is vital – it’s the only way to sensibly make strategic calls.
Realistic Promises
Placing football wagers, regardless of your sports knowledge, is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Any tipster who claims that you can earn financial freedom, change your life, or any equally outstretched promise is preying on the vulnerable. Look for those with realistic promises – those that don’t ask you to risk it all for a monthly subscription.
Professionalism
You may be looking for how to bet on football online – but tipsters are still professionals who should professionally treat their clients. Look for trustworthy characters, professionalism in their approach and transparency in their work.
How to Bet on Football FAQs
Have a question about football betting that you’re searching for the answer to? Check out our FAQ below where we answer some of the most popular football betting questions.
What are the best football bet types?
The best football bet types differ from team to team and from game to game. Use a data-driven betting strategy and use bet types such as “Match Result”, “Both Teams To Score”, “Goalscorers” and “Overs/Unders” where appropriate.
Can you bet on football without losing?
No, it is not possible to wager on football without the possibility of losing in the standard betting markets. Bettors can, however, investigate Match Betting or place free bets to guarantee either a neutral or profitable outcome.
How do you read football odds?
Reading the odds forms the basic understanding of how to bet on football. In the UK, the odds are displayed in one of two ways – fractional or decimal.
Fractional odds can be understood as a ratio, e.g. 3/1 meaning the bet will pay out £3 for every £1 wagered (not including your stake). Decimal odds can be understood as a multiplier, e.g. 4.0 meaning that your wager should be multiplied by 4 to find the payout (including your stake).
Which is the best football betting site?
Choosing the best football betting site is another key component of learning how to bet on football in the UK. There’s a long list of top-quality bookies available, each offering something different to punters. View our recommendations for the best football betting sites in the country.
Can I bet on football during live matches?
Yes, bettors can place football bets during live matches at the majority of UK bookmakers. Navigate to the “Live” or “In-Play” betting menus to browse the games supporting live betting.