Major Football Betting Strategies

Football betting is a popular pastime among football followers all over the world. However, in a quest to make football bets successful and profitable in the long run, you need to use a system and a technique in an attempt to reduce the risk of losing money. Most football punters also explore channels such as football ante post betting, whereby they can predict outcomes months earlier. Throughout this article, we will examine some basic football betting techniques.

Betting on the Favorite

This is a strategy that is focused on betting on the favorite and the team with the highest probability of winning. Of course, this will result in the fact that the odds will not be particularly huge. The strength of this strategy is through bets that are less risky. This method is particularly appropriate for individuals who wish to place a system with low odds of loss, even if this requires smaller winnings. That is the reason why the "bet on the favorite" method is employed by more conservative bettors.

Below are some tips in practice when betting on favorites:

• Always consider form and injury before placing a bet.
• Don't automatically bet on all favorites — there has to be context.
• Watch for odds changes to look for possible weakness.
• Use this tactic mostly in leagues where there is a wide disparity between teams.
• Pair with other tactics (e.g., goals betting) to balance out risk and reward.

Now, don't simply blindly wager on every favorite in every league and tournament. Always take a close look first before wagering — not every paper favorite is indeed the favorite on the pitch.

When betting on the favorite, you should also pay attention to the odds, which might vary based on pre-match events. If you notice that odds for the favorite start increasing, it might mean something is working against the team. Conversely, though, if the odds remain unchanged and go down, it indicates the favorite is in form and stands a good opportunity to win. Don't rely on the movement of the odds alone, however — always use up-to-date and most accurate information regarding the team.

Betting on Goals

It is a wagering system based on betting on the amount of goals a match will have. There are many options available: total goals, first half goals, one team's goals, etc. It is the preferred wagering system of individuals who enjoy more freedom and diverse odds. You can make safer and more conservative wagers with less reward or riskier ones with greater reward.

It's worth tracking team as well as individual player statistics in an effort to better know what direction a game will take. At times, the optimal play is to lay the favorite to win multiple goals again. Other times, it is more advisable to bet on a stout defense from the underdog and bet on fewer goals. Flogging starts also offers opportunity, i.e., betting that both teams score throughout.

Asian Handicap Betting

The Asian handicap seems at first glance to be a strategy for expert punters. In reality, beginners can master the basics within a short period of time. The Asian handicap essentially tamper with the starting score of a game, usually 0:0. You give one of the teams an advantage with a positive handicap. For example, if you place a bet on a team with a +1.5 handicap, they can lose by a single goal and your bet will still win. Negative handicaps are also common, where a team must win by a larger margin for the bet to win.

This renders the bet more thrilling, since stronger teams are supposed to be given negative handicaps, where they have to win by a number of goals. Such bets are offered with improved odds compared to normal bets, so if they win, they become more rewarding. A good team is not likely to have a problem in fulfilling a -2 handicap, and this can render it extremely profitable.

Arbitrage (Sure Bets)

Arbitrage betting, or "sure bets," is a strategy that capitalizes on fluctuations of odds offered by different bookmakers. It consists of betting on all possible outcomes in such a way that you ensure a profit regardless of the match's outcome. This strategy is appealing to deep-pocketed bettors who prefer not to take risks.

Arbitrage entails precise calculation and ongoing monitoring of odds. The mathematics ensure that no matter the outcome of the game, you end up with a profit. However, it may take hours and effort to find and place arbitrage bets and bookmakers may decline or restrict such bets. However, for those who are patient and have enough capital, arbitrage can be extremely rewarding.

The Martingale Betting Strategy

Martingale is also the riskiest and contentious strategy, yet it is utilized primarily in football betting. It constitutes placing a bet on a specific outcome and doubling the subsequent bet in case of loss. As per the concept, in the long run, you'll have a winning bet, and because of the doubling, you'll be able to prepay for losses and earn money.

The main risk is to long losing runs, which can quickly empty your bankroll by exponential hike in stakes. While the Martingale system is attractive to bettors looking for quick easy-looking profits, it is not infallible. Having firm limits set must be imposed to avoid devastating loss. Martingale is applicable only to seasoned gamblers who understand the risks.