Markets are the lifeblood of football betting sites, with bookmakers constantly searching for new betting angles to attract football backers. Players can be overwhelmed by the sheer range of football markets available, with popular matches having over 400+ markets to choose from.
Below are some of the most common ways to bet on football, along with some pointers in terms of which bookies do them best.
Full-Time Result
A three-way bet on the winner of the game. You can back either side or bet on a draw. This is, of course, the bare minimum you will find on any football betting site. More often than not, you will find the best match-winner odds on the Betfair Exchange where you bet against other punters.
Draw / No Bet
In this instance, you pick a winner but if it ends as a draw, the bet is voided and you get your stake back. A much safer play but the odds are lower than the standard match-winner market. This is quite a common market, with the likes of Betfred and QuinnBet among many bookmakers that offer this option.
Double Chance
Perhaps a good option if you are betting on an underdog, you can go for a double chance and this means you win if they draw or win. You'll find this option on all top betting sites, including Betway and Ladbrokes.
Goals Over/Under
This can be a two-way or a three-way market. Two-way is more straightforward, as if the line is set at 2.5 for example, you simply either win or lose. If it is three-way, the line will be set as a whole number such as 2, and 'exactly 2 goals' would be the third option along with the over and under.
On top betting sites such as Bet365, you can bet on Asian total goals, which is more complex again.
Both Teams To Score
This is exactly what it sounds like. A two-way market where you can bet on “yes” or “no”.
First Player To Scorer
A straightforward market that sees a user pick one of the twenty-two players on the pitch (or substitutes) to score the first goal of the match. Some sites also offer bonus winnings if your first player to score selection wins and then scores again, with Betfred's Double Delight, Hat-Trick Heaven the best in this instance, offering double and triple odds, if the selection scores again.
Asian Handicap
Something most beginners would usually avoid, but this can be a fun way to bet on football. The oddsmakers essentially give one team a head start, making it as close to a 50-50 contest as possible, and then you pick a side. It can get complicated when quarter goals are involved, so be sure to check our Asian Handicap guide and learn all about it.
A good place to start, though, is to understand that if you back a team with an Asian handicap of 0.0, this is the same as draw no bet. If you back a team with an Asian handicap of +0.5, this is the same as double chance.