There’s a lot to take in if you want to learn how to bet on soccer. Moneyline bets, over/under wagers, and other betting types are all included in my guide, which is perfect if you’re new to football betting.
I’ll also go into team and match analysis, as this can give you more info to go on when you’re considering various bets. I’ll also provide some tips on using various strategies, including looking for welcome offers at online sportsbooks. Let’s start with some of the most popular bet types you’ll see.
How to bet on soccer: Let’s start with some moneyline bets
Plenty of sports provide a winner and loser every time – but that’s not necessarily the case with soccer. When you learn
how to bet on football, you’ll see that it’s possible for a match to end in a draw – whether that’s a goalless draw or where both teams score the same number of goals. In some cases, though, a winner must be found – such as in a title match, for example – and in that case, a draw at full time would proceed to penalties.
Moneyline bets are popular among fans, and you’ll see three options at most betting sites. You can bet on any of these, but some odds will be better than others. For example, the most likely team to win may have -400 odds, which means you’d need to stake more to make it worth winning the bet if it went your way. Conversely, the team viewed as unlikely to win might have odds of +500, which would be an excellent payoff if it happened.
| Moneyline Bet Type |
Explanation |
| 3-way bet |
This covers all the potential outcomes – win, lose, or draw – and gives odds on the likely winner, loser, and the chance of a draw |
| 2-way bet |
Same as above, but it removes the draw aspect |
| Winner |
Like it says on the tin – you pick the team you think will win the match |
Our betting sites of choice
Bet365 Review
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How to bet on soccer markets online: 5 other betting markets to consider
It’s not all about moneyline bets – you’ll find many other markets available too. I’ve listed a few of the more commonly seen ones here.
1: Half/full time scores
Trying to predict the score at half time and full time is appealing to some fans. You can bet on what you think the half time score might be, before predicting the full time score. This can involve backing one team to do well in the second half, and then changing allegiance to the opponent for the final score.
2: Futures
These are the markets many casual bettors go for. It’s all about picking the winner. In this case, you can bet on the team you think will win the next World Cup, for example. You can do this for any soccer event, including the Euros, Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, and many more.
3: Over/under (total goals)
This refers to total goals scored in a match, and always includes .5 in the prediction. This might sound odd, but it does make sense. If the prediction is over or under 2.5, for example, it means a score of two or fewer total goals, as you can’t score half – or three or more.
4: Correct score
This allows you to place a bet on what you think the score will be for a particular match. So, in this case, you’re not guessing how many goals will be scored – you’re guessing which teams will score them. You might bet on team A getting two goals and team B getting just one, for example. If the score is the opposite way around, you would lose the bet, even though the total goals scored would be the same.
5: Accumulator
No doubt you’ve heard of this – it involves placing multiple bets on the outcomes of matches, in the hope you can get them all right. Most sites require you to pick at least four bets within an accumulator, but you can pick more if you wish. It’s colloquially known as an ACCA bet. The odds for getting every prediction correct are long, which is why these offer better odds. Some sites also offer a boost for getting a string of bets like this correct.
Try these betting strategies when learning how to bet on soccer
You’ll find dozens of potential strategies to use, but here are some to consider as a beginner.
The
best bookies offers
are usually reserved for new site members. I’ve seen that several of the
best free bets offers
are given to new signups, whereby you may receive a free bet when joining or if your initial bet loses. Watch for terms and conditions of these – free bets are usually sticky and are deducted from any winnings you can then withdraw.
🔍 Stick with Individual Bets
While accumulator bets are attractive, the odds on winning them are long – hence the giant payout if they do succeed. You’ll have a better chance of winning a single bet than stringing five or more together in an accumulator.
💲 Check the Odds between Bookmakers
If you’re interested in a specific bet, compare two or three online bookmakers to see who has the best odds. This is where it’s worth joining a few sites, even if you don’t always use them all.
I’ve found lots of betting sites that provide statistics on matches and players to help you when you’re figuring out how to bet on soccer. Some people are happy to pick their favorite team to back, but you can use stats to help you decide whether other teams or players are more preferable to bet on based on past performance. Looking at recent performances could also highlight teams that have done well recently rather than over a longer period.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Various markets to bet on
- There’s a chance to bet on live soccer too
- Pick a winner or choose a more complex bet
Disadvantages
- Can be confusing for newbies
Learn how to bet on soccer and support your favorite teams
You don’t need a huge budget to place a bet or two on a team, player, or score. Soccer is one of the most popular sports to bet on, with plenty of markets ranging from the simplest to the more complex. By looking at past performance, you can see which teams or players are in form, which could help you decide which bet to place. Many soccer fans support their preferred teams, whereas other bettors decide to choose wagers depending on finding the best odds and most likely outcomes. Either way, there’s plenty to explore.
The best online betting bonuses in 2025
1.
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How to bet on soccer FAQs
⚽ What is the best way to bet on soccer?
The best method is to learn as much as possible about soccer bets, so you understand which options are available. The three-way moneyline bet is one of the most commonly chosen options.
🔍 How do I make sure I win every soccer bet?
You can’t, of course – but you can do some research to help you choose which bet would be preferable. Knowing more about individual teams and players can give you info that might help when choosing odds and betting types.
💵 How to bet on soccer without losing money?
Never bet more than you can afford to lose on any sport. It’s best to start with a clear budget for soccer betting, so you can use that and not worry about losing those bets if that is what happens. Never chase after any losses.
