Heather Arranie 
Football betting is hugely popular all over the world – and lots of sporting fans want to give it a go. While there is a certain element of luck involved, those who are successful know that there’s a lot more to it. Not only do they make sure that they do their research on the teams and players they’re betting on, but they also use strategies to maximise their chances of winning.
So, whether you’re new to football betting or looking to improve your success rate, here are some of the best football betting strategies to think about.
Bankroll Management
This is one of, if not the most, important aspects of successful betting. Managing your bankroll effectively is a must:
- Set yourself a budget for your football betting activities – and stick to it.
- Don’t start chasing your losses by betting more than you intended to or can afford.
- Use a betting plan, such as the flat betting system (betting the same amount on each wager) or the percentage system (betting a certain percentage of your bankroll).
Finding Value Bets
This is where you identify bets where you think the bookmaker’s odds are higher than the actual probability of the event happening. To find value bets:
- Look at the teams’ statistics, form, and head-to-head records.
- Compare odds to things like probability models and betting exchanges.
- Look out for any inconsistencies in the market to see if you can take advantage of what could potentially be inflated odds.
Bet on What You Know
It sounds obvious, but it’s always better to bet on teams and leagues you are familiar with rather than just random games.
If you follow the Champions League, then look through the Champions League betting odds – whereas if you only watch the Premier League, then stick to EPL games:
- Check out player form and injuries.
- Understand the tactics and playing styles of the teams you bet on.
- Use your knowledge to make the most informed decisions.
Look at Betting Trends and Stats
You can use data and statistics to give you all sorts of insights into the various betting opportunities. You might want to look at how many goals per game both teams score, how the teams perform at home or away – and any recent news on injuries or form.
Use Different Betting Markets
Instead of just always sticking with the normal match-winner bets, try out a few other markets like:
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS): If both teams have pretty strong defences and questionable defences.
- Over/Under Goals: If you think a match will be a high or a low-scoring one.
- Asian Handicap: Great if there’s a one-sided match.
- Draw No Bet: Will refund your stake if the match ends in a draw.
Avoid Accumulators with Too Many Selections
If you want to go for something with a high potential payout then you may be considering accumulators. However, because the risk increases with every selection you make, you need to tread carefully.
You might want to keep accumulators relatively small – between 3-4 selections max. It’s also a good call to mix a couple of safer bets with a few higher-odds selections. Most importantly, consider each leg carefully before you add it to your bet slip.
Follow Professional Tipsters
There are a lot of professional bettors and tipsters who share all their insights and predictions, which can be pretty helpful.
Although they’re not all reliable, there are good tipsters who can give you an expert analysis of upcoming matches, help you with your betting strategies based on all the current data and trends and point you towards early market movements and odds shifts.
Avoid Betting Emotionally
One of the biggest mistakes bettors make is letting their emotions dictate the bets they make. Realistically, you should never bet on your favourite team unless they come with value odds. It’s also important that you avoid making any impulsive bets if you’ve been on a bit of a losing streak. Ultimately, you need to make sure you just stick to your betting strategy.
Keep Records of Your Bets
Tracking your bets can help you see the strengths and weaknesses in your betting strategy. As such, you should keep a record of details like:
- Type of bet placed.
- Your stake amount and the odds.
- The result – win or loss.
- Why you placed the bet.
Ultimately, football betting can be fun – and it’s even better if you get a strategy and stick to it! So, good luck, have fun and always bet responsibly!
