Beginner’s Guide On How To Bet On Football

If you are just starting out in the world of sports betting, learning how to bet on football can be the pathway to a great deal of fun.

Football betting adds to the thrill of watching the sport each week by allowing you to pit your wits against the bookmakers.

With that in mind, read on as we provide you with a handy guide to betting on football, starting with how to find the best sportsbooks for wagering on the sport.

How to get started

Before you engage in football betting, it is imperative to find a reputable sportsbook.

Online bookmakers are legally required to advertise their licensing information. This can usually be viewed in the footer on their website.

Once you are satisfied that the sportsbook is licensed to operate in your jurisdiction, you can open a new betting account. The process is generally as follows:

• Click the ‘register’ button.
• Enter the requested personal details and bonus code.
• Accept the terms and conditions.
• Click ‘confirm’.
• Verify your email address.

When you have completed those simple steps, you will be able make your first deposit and start betting.

Most betting sites require you to submit identification documents before you can make a withdrawal on the site.

Common football betting terms

The most common football betting terms are as follows:

• Accumulators – Multiple selections combined into one bet.
• Anytime assist – Player produces an assist at any time.
• Anytime goalscorer – Player scores at any time.
• Both teams to score (BTTS) – Predict whether both teams will score in a game.
• Cards market – Bet on whether a player will be carded during a match.
• Correct score – Predict the exact final score.
• Double – Two selections combined into one bet.
• Draw no bet (DNB) – The bet is refunded if the game ends in a draw.
• First/last goalscorer – Bet on the player to score the first or last goal in a game.
• Full time result (1X2) – 1 = home win, X = draw, 2 = away win.
• Half-time/full-time – Predict the HT and FT outcomes.
• Match specials – Betting markets related to specific events in the match.
• Next goal – Predict which team will score the next goal during a match.
• Over/under goals – Bet on whether the total goals are above or below a pre-determined number.
• Single – A bet containing one selection.
• Total corners – Betting on the total number of corner kicks in a match.
• Win to nil – Backing a team to win without conceding a goal.

Popular football betting markets

There are loads of different ways you can bet on football.

Match result market

One of the easiest to understand is the match betting market. This has three elements – home win, away win and draw.

Using a Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United as an example, bookmakers give punters three options to choose from:

• Aston Villa to win: 6/5.
• Manchester United to win: 2/1.
• Draw: 11/4.

In this scenario, if you place a £5 bet on Aston Villa and they win the game, the bookie will pay you £11. This equates to £6 profit plus your £5 stake returned. Other popular markets are as follows:

• Over/under: Bet on whether the goals in a match will be over or under a pre-determined total. For instance, if you bet on over 2.5 goals and the final score is 2-1, you win.
• Both teams to score: This is a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ bet which requires you to predict whether both teams will score in a match.
• Correct score: A bet which requires you to predict the final scoreline in a match.

Handicap markets

Handicap markets have become increasingly popular in recent years. Bookies use them to level the playing field between two clubs.

For instance, if your bet is Villa -1 against United, they need to win by two or more goals for this to deliver a winning return.

However, the odds of 3/1 are more generous than just backing them to win the game, as the ‘one goal start’ makes the task more difficult.

Things become more complicated with Asian handicap betting, as the head starts can be in multiples of one goal, 0.5 goals, 0.75 goals or 0.25 goals.

Player-related markets

Online bookmakers offer an excellent range of player-related markets, which are a great way to enhance your enjoyment of betting on football.

For example, let’s say you fancy Bruno Fernandes to get on the scoresheet at Villa Park. He can be backed at 11/4 to score anytime or 17/2 to net the first goal.

Other player-related bets include the number of shots, shots on target, cards, tackles, fouls, over/under and more.

League-related markets

Outright league-related markets are another popular way for fans to bet on football.

You can bet on teams to win the league, finish in the top four, qualify for Europe, finish in the top half, finish in the bottom half and more.

Odds on each of these elements are published before the season starts and fluctuate when the action gets underway.

For instance, United were originally priced at 8/13 to finish in the top six in 2024/25 but were pushed out to 7/4 following a poor start to the campaign.

Bet builders

Bet builders are a form of accumulator bet which requires punters to make selections from the same game rather than multiple matches.

They allow you to combine several game-related elements into a multiple wager. If all your selections are successful, your bet wins. Here’s an example from the Villa vs United game:

• Both teams to score – yes.
• Over 2.5 goals.
• Rashford to score anytime.
• Over ten corners.
• Villa to win both halves.

The combined odds for the Bet Builder are 90/1, which gives punters an excellent opportunity to secure a sizeable payout from a small stake.

Bookmakers generally have a dedicated Bet Builder menu embedded in each match, which collates all the markets you can incorporate into your bet.

The markets offered differ between betting operators, so spend time testing different platforms to find the one that suits your requirements.

Cash-out is generally available on Bet Builders, meaning you can secure a partial payout while the game is in progress rather than waiting for the final whistle.

Common mistakes to avoid

Football betting can be a potentially rewarding activity. However, some bettors often make costly errors. Here are common mistakes to avoid:

• Not studying form: Failing to conduct research in football betting can be expensive. Always study the form before wagering.
• Bankroll management: Always set an affordable betting budget and stick to it. Never wager more than two percent of your total bankroll on a single bet.
• Chasing losses: It is imperative not to chase losses. Take breaks and return to betting when your mind is clear.
• Don’t bet with your heart: Keep pre-conceived biases out of your betting. Be objective about your betting to secure the best results.
• Search for the best odds: Use comparison sites to find the best odds. Don’t let the bookmakers chip away at your potential profits.
• Be selective: There are thousands of different games played each season. Don’t be drawn into betting on too many of them.
• Treat betting like a business: While sports betting is entertainment, the ultimate aim is to make a profit. Don’t spend money on bets just for the sake of it.

Football betting strategies

No betting strategy is completely foolproof. However, there are ways you can exploit opportunities in football betting. Here are some sound football betting strategies:

• Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Use research to identify matches where teams are likely to be involved in high or low scoring games.
• Avoid accumulators: Multiples offer the chance to secure sizeable returns. However, more selections generally increase the risk that the bet will fail.
• Specialise: If you have an in-depth knowledge of a league, that is where you should focus your betting activities.
• Leveraging live betting: In-play markets can offer excellent value. If a big favourite concedes a goal early in a game, this can often be a good time to take advantage of higher odds.
• Use bonuses: Betting bonuses are a great way to increase your bankroll. Sign up for accounts with different sportsbooks to access a wider range of promotions.

Responsible gambling and safety

It is advisable to treat your gambling activities in the same way as any other household expenditure. In simple terms, never spend more than you can afford to lose.

Setting betting limits is an excellent way to gamble responsibly. For example, if your monthly budget is £200, divide this by the number of days in the month to calculate your daily budget.

It is imperative to avoid betting when feeling emotional, stressed or under the influence of alcohol, as these elements can impair your judgement.

For safety, always use a licensed sportsbook. Ensure payment options are secure, and use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect your data.