Meaning of All Markets in Football Betting

Football betting offers a wide variety of markets, ranging from the simplest to the most complex, including popular options such as Asian handicap and Asian goals markets. Understanding how each market works is essential to make more informed bets and improve your chances of success. In this article, we explain in detail the most common markets, from match results to more advanced options.

Match Result Markets

1. Home, Away, or Draw (1X2)

This is the most traditional and well-known football betting market, also known as the “Full Time Result”. It is easy to understand and widely used by both beginner and experienced bettors.

1: Home team victory.
X: Draw.
2: Away team victory.

How it works: If you bet on the home team to win (1), they need to win within the regular time (90 minutes + added time) for your bet to be successful. If the match ends in a draw or the away team wins, your bet will be lost.

Important details:

This market does not consider extra time or penalty shootouts. Therefore, in knockout competitions, only the normal time counts for the bet.
Odds tend to be higher when the chosen team is the “underdog” and lower for the favourite.
Teams with excellent home performances usually have lower odds on the “1” (home win).

Strategic tip: Before betting on 1X2, analyse the recent form of the teams, the home/away factor, and their head-to-head history. Matches between evenly matched teams or derbies tend to have more draws.

2. Half-Time Result

This market refers to the partial result at the end of the first 45 minutes (plus added time). Here, you bet on the team that will be leading at half-time.

1: Home team leading at half-time.
X: Draw at half-time.
2: Away team leading at half-time.

How it works: Your bet will be successful if the chosen team is leading at half-time. If the score is a draw or the other team is winning, your bet will be lost.

Important details:

Offensive teams with a history of scoring early goals are often good options for this market.
Odds tend to be more attractive than in the full-time result market, as the bet is limited to the first half.
Factors such as the starting lineup, motivation, and playing style at the start of the match should be considered.

Strategic tip: Analyse first-half goal statistics for the teams involved. For example, if the favourite team tends to score early in the first 30 minutes, betting on a half-time victory might be a great option.

3. Double Chance

This market is a safer alternative to 1X2, as it combines two of the three possible outcomes. It is often used by bettors who want to minimise risks.

1X: Home team win or draw.
X2: Away team win or draw.
12: Either team to win (draw loses).

How it works: If you bet on “1X” and the home team wins or the match ends in a draw, your bet will be successful. The same principle applies to the other two scenarios (X2 and 12).

Important details:

Because it offers more coverage, the odds are lower compared to the 1X2 market.
Ideal for balanced games or matches where the favourite is playing away.
Teams with solid defences tend to be good options for the Double Chance market.

Strategic tip: Use the Double Chance market in accumulators (multiples) to increase your chances of hitting more bets. It is also useful in matches where a draw is a likely outcome.

4. Draw No Bet

The “Draw No Bet” market offers a safer option for those who want to bet on a winner but desire protection in case of a draw. If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded.

Team A: You win if Team A wins. If the match ends in a draw, your bet is refunded.
Team B: You win if Team B wins. If the match ends in a draw, your bet is refunded.

How it works: Imagine you bet on Barcelona to win (Draw No Bet). If Barcelona wins, your bet is successful. If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded. If the opponent wins, you lose your bet.

Important details:

Odds are lower compared to the 1X2 market as the draw is neutralised.
It is an excellent option for matches where you trust the favourite but are concerned about the draw.
Recommended for matches where the favouritism is light or moderate, especially away from home.

Strategic tip: The “Draw No Bet” market is ideal for balanced games where one team has a slight advantage. It offers an extra layer of security as a draw does not result in a loss of your stake.

Summary:

Match result markets offer a variety of options for bettors with different profiles and risk levels. If you are looking for security, the Double Chance or Draw No Bet markets may be more suitable. If you are seeking higher returns, the 1X2 and Half-Time Result markets offer good opportunities, provided they are accompanied by thorough analysis.

Final tip: Always use statistics and pre-match analysis to inform your bets. Consider the form of the teams, home and away performances, head-to-head history, and factors such as line-ups and motivation in the competition. With knowledge and discipline, you will be on the right path to making more informed decisions in the match result markets.

Goals Markets

1. Over 1.5 to 3.5 Goals

The “Over X Goals” market is one of the most popular in football, as it offers clear and easy-to-follow options. Here, you bet on a minimum number of goals that should occur during regular time (90 minutes + added time).

Over 1.5 Goals: The match must have 2 or more goals. Results such as 1-1, 2-0, 2-1, or 3-0 are sufficient to win the bet.
Over 2.5 Goals: The match must have 3 or more goals. Results such as 2-1, 3-0, 2-2, or 4-1 confirm the bet.
Over 3.5 Goals: The match must have 4 or more goals. Results such as 3-1, 4-0, 4-2, or 5-3 validate the bet.

How it works: If you bet on “Over 2.5 Goals” and the game ends 2-1, your bet will be successful as the total number of goals will be 3.

Important details:

Offensive teams with vulnerable defences tend to have more matches with 2.5 goals or more.
Check the teams’ average goals in recent matches, especially in leagues like the Bundesliga or Eredivisie, known for high-scoring games.
Pay attention to the match context. Decisive games or matches where victory is a must usually have more goals, as teams take more risks.

Strategic tip: If a game has high intensity in the first half but ends 0-0, live betting on “Over 1.5 Goals” or “Over 2.5 Goals” could be an excellent opportunity, as the odds increase as time progresses.

2. Under 2.5 and 3.5 Goals

The “Under X Goals” market is ideal for games with a defensive trend or when the context suggests few goals, such as matches between teams that prioritise defence or decisive games where a draw is a good result.

Under 2.5 Goals: The match can have a maximum of 2 goals. Results such as 0-0, 1-0, 1-1, or 2-0 confirm the bet.
Under 3.5 Goals: The match can have a maximum of 3 goals. Results such as 2-1, 1-0, or 3-0 validate the bet.

How it works: If you bet on “Under 3.5 Goals” and the game ends 2-1, your bet will be successful as the total number of goals is 3.

Important details:

Teams with solid defensive systems and a low average of goals are ideal for this market.
Consider games from leagues like Brazil’s Série B or France’s Ligue 1, where the average number of goals is usually lower.
Factors such as rain, poor pitch conditions, and the absence of key attacking players can also favour a low-scoring game.

Strategic tip: Track the performance of teams in their last 5 games and evaluate if there is a defensive trend. Matches with few shots on goal and teams playing a compact style are ideal for “Under 2.5 Goals”.

3. Both Teams to Score

The “Both Teams to Score” (Yes/No) market refers to the possibility of both teams scoring at least one goal in the match.

Yes: Both teams must score at least 1 goal for the bet to win.
No: At least one team must fail to score. If the game ends 0-0, 1-0, or 2-0, the bet will be successful.

How it works: If you bet on “Yes” and the match ends 1-1, 2-1, or 3-2, your bet will be successful.

Important details:

Teams with a strong attack but vulnerable defences are often ideal for “Both Teams to Score”.
Check statistics such as the “number of games with both teams scoring” in the last 10 encounters.
Matches between favourites and underdogs can be interesting, as the weaker team may exploit counter-attacks.

Strategic tip: Prefer matches between teams from leagues with high goal averages, such as the Bundesliga, MLS, and Eredivisie. Also, check head-to-head encounters and the teams’ current form to validate the bet.

4. Over 0.5 Goals in the First Half

The “Over 0.5 Goals in the First Half” market is for those seeking quick results. Here, you bet that there will be at least 1 goal during the first half of the match.

How it works: If the first half ends 1-0, 1-1, or any score with goals, your bet will be successful. If it ends 0-0, you lose.

Important details:

Teams with a history of scoring early goals are ideal for this market. Check first-half goal statistics.
Teams that start matches with high intensity and an attacking style often perform well in this market.
Games where favourites face technically weaker opponents are likely to have goals in the first half.

Strategic tip: If you are watching the game live and notice offensive pressure in the first 10-15 minutes, the odds for “Over 0.5 Goals in the First Half” become more attractive. Wait a few minutes to increase the value of the odds before entering the market.

Summary of Goals Markets:

Over X Goals: Ideal for open games with offensive teams and high goal averages.
Under X Goals: Best for balanced games or those with a strong defensive trend.
Both Teams to Score: Bet on teams with strong attacks and vulnerable defences.
Over 0.5 Goals in the First Half: Great for games with high offensive intensity in the opening minutes.

Studying the playing style of the teams, their goal statistics, and the importance of the match are essential factors for success in these markets. Use our website to consult data on goal averages, first-half performance, and the frequency of “Both Teams to Score” to support your analysis and make more informed decisions.

Corner and Card Markets

1. Total Corners

The total corners market is an interesting option for bettors looking for alternatives outside the traditional goals and wins market. It refers to the total number of corners that will occur during the match, including both teams.

Over 9.5 Corners: The match must have 10 or more corners for the bet to be successful. For example, if the game has 11 corners, your bet will win.
Under 8.5 Corners: The match must have no more than 8 corners for the bet to be successful.

How it works: This market can be applied to the entire game or just a specific half (first or second half). For example, you can bet on “Over 5.5 corners in the first half” or “Under 8.5 corners in the total match.”

Important details:

Offensive teams, which exploit the flanks of the field, often generate more corners due to crosses and blocked shots.
Teams with solid defenses tend to concede more corners to the opponent, especially against teams with offensive dominance.
The match context plays a big role: in close games, teams that are losing tend to attack more, consequently increasing the number of corners.

Strategic Tip:

Study pre-match statistics and identify teams with high average corner counts per match. A 5-6 corners per game average for a team is a good indicator.
In live betting, observe whether the game is dynamic and if there are many blocked shots or crosses leading to corners.
Pay attention to the number of corners in the first half. If a team has 4-5 corners by the end of the first half, there’s a good chance the total number will exceed 9.5 by the end of the match.

The corner market is an excellent alternative, as it is independent of the final match result. Betting on “Over 9.5 corners” in games with offensive teams and skilled wingers is often a profitable strategy.

2. Total Cards

The total cards market refers to the number of cards distributed throughout the match. It can include both yellow and red cards (one red card is counted as two yellow cards for betting purposes).

Over 3.5 Cards: The match must have 4 or more cards for the bet to be successful. For example, 3 yellow cards and 1 red card total 5 cards.
Under 2.5 Cards: The match must have no more than 2 cards for the bet to be successful.

How it works: If you bet on “Over 3.5 cards” and the match has 5 cards (e.g., 4 yellow cards and 1 red card), your bet will win.

Important details:

Referees with a history of issuing many cards: Some referees are more stringent and distribute cards more frequently. It is important to analyze who will be officiating the match.
Derbies and decisive matches: Matches between rivals or games with high stakes (championship final, relegation battles) tend to have more tension, leading to more cards.
Playing style of the teams: More aggressive teams, with an intense marking style, tend to receive more cards. Similarly, teams that commit many tactical fouls or defensive mistakes are also likely to be penalised more.

Strategic Tip:

Analyze the average number of cards for teams in the last 5-10 matches and the disciplinary behaviour of key players.
Pay attention to competitions where referees are stricter, such as international tournaments (Champions League, Copa Libertadores) or leagues known for their high intensity, like La Liga in Spain.
In live betting, observe the referee’s behaviour and the pace of the game. A match with hard fouls and protests from players has a high chance of generating more cards.

Yellow Cards vs. Red Cards: In many markets, cards are counted differently:

1 Yellow Card = 1 point.
1 Red Card = 2 points (or 1 additional point if the player has already received a yellow card).

Therefore, games with a high likelihood of expulsions can be lucrative for bets like “Over 3.5 Cards” or specific markets such as “Team A to Receive a Red Card.”

Summary of Corner and Card Markets:

Total Corners: Ideal for games with offensive teams or teams that tend to exploit flank play.
Total Cards: Perfect for tense matches, historic rivalries, or games with stricter refereeing.

Final Tip: Use detailed statistics on the behaviour of teams and referees, such as average corners, number of fouls committed, and cards distributed. High offensive intensity games favour corners, while tense or decisive matches increase the probability of cards. Follow these numbers on our site to make more informed decisions and increase your chances of success!

Specific Markets

1. Player to Score

This market is for those who want to bet on the individual performance of players. The bet is to predict if a specific player will score a goal during the match.

Most common options:

Score Anytime: The player must score a goal at any point during regulation time (90 minutes + added time).
Score First: The chosen player must be the first to score in the match.
Score Last: The player must be the last to score before the final whistle.

How it works: If you bet that “Player X” will score anytime and they score a goal, your bet will win. If they don’t score, you lose the bet.

Important details:

Consider the player’s recent form. Strikers in good form tend to score goals more frequently.
Check the player’s position. Forwards and attacking midfielders have higher chances of scoring compared to defenders.
Analyse the opponent’s defensive weaknesses. Teams with vulnerable defences tend to concede more goals to key attacking players.
Pay attention to penalty and free kick takers. Players responsible for set pieces have a higher chance of scoring.

Strategic Tip: In games with clear favourites and expected high-scoring results, bet on the main strikers to score. In balanced matches, midfielders with offensive runs can be good options.

2. Exact Score

This market requires you to predict the exact score of the match, such as 2-1, 3-0, or 1-1. Due to the high risk of this bet, the odds are often quite attractive.

How it works: If you bet on 2-1 and the game ends exactly 2-1, your bet will win. Any other result means you lose the bet.

Important details:

The exact score is a difficult market to predict, as it requires high accuracy. Therefore, use statistics and trends to back up your choice.
Study the teams’ average goals scored and conceded in recent matches.
Defensive teams tend to have low-scoring matches, such as 0-0 or 1-0. Offensive teams produce more open results, such as 3-1 or 2-2.
Consider the home/away factor. Home teams generally have more confidence and may aim for larger scorelines against weaker opponents.

Strategic Tip: Split your bets between two or three likely exact scores to increase your chances of success. For example, 1-0 and 2-0 in games with a clear favourite.

3. Create Bet

The “Create Bet” market allows the bettor to combine different markets within a single match. This feature provides more flexibility and increases the odds by combining several scenarios.

Example of a combined bet:

Real Madrid to win the match.
Over 2.5 goals in the game.
Karim Benzema to score anytime.

In this case, all conditions must be met for the bet to win.

Important details:

Combining markets increases the odds but also raises the risk. Therefore, choose scenarios that complement each other and are realistic.
This is an excellent option for games where the favourite is clear, but individual odds are too low.
Make sure to analyse both individual and team statistics, such as recent player performances and average match goals.

Strategic Tip: Start by combining no more than 2 or 3 selections in a single bet. For example, “Favourite to win” + “Over 1.5 goals” can be a simple and effective combination.

Asian Markets

1. Asian Handicap

The Asian Handicap market adds a fictional advantage or disadvantage to a team. It is often used to balance matches between teams with differing technical levels.

Examples:

Real Madrid -1.0: Real Madrid needs to win by 2 or more goals. If they win by exactly 1 goal, the bet is refunded.
Sevilla +1.5: Sevilla cannot lose by 2 or more goals. If they lose by only 1 goal, your bet is successful.

How it works: The handicap can be represented by whole numbers (like -1.0) or fractional numbers (like -0.5, -1.25), resulting in wins, refunds, or partial losses.

Important details:

The Asian Handicap is ideal for betting on games with clear favourites or when you want to protect part of your bet with a refund in case of a partial result.
Positive (+) handicaps are used to give an advantage to the weaker team, while negative (-) handicaps are for the favourites.

Strategic Tip: Use this market in games with clear favourites and low odds. The Asian Handicap -1.0 is a good option to improve the odds, as the bet is refunded if the team wins by just 1 goal.

2. Asian Goals

The “Asian Goals” market is similar to the traditional goals market, but with the addition of options that offer partial or full refunds depending on the number of goals scored.

Examples:

Over 2.0: If the game has exactly 2 goals, the bet is refunded. If there are 3 or more goals, you win. If there is 1 goal or fewer, you lose.
Under 2.25: Half of the bet goes to “Under 2.0” and the other half to “Under 2.5”. If the game has exactly 2 goals, half of the bet is refunded and the other half wins.

Important details:

The Asian Goals market is ideal for bettors who want to protect part of their stake in scenarios with moderate risks.
It allows for more flexible strategies, especially in balanced games or when the traditional goals markets have unattractive odds.

Strategic Tip: Use “Over 2.0” in games with a high expectation of goals, but where there is a risk of a more tightly contested match. If the game ends with exactly 2 goals, you won’t lose your money.

Summary: Specific and Asian markets offer valuable opportunities for more experienced bettors or those looking to explore different scenarios. Combine statistical analysis with the context of the game and choose the most suitable market for your strategy.

Conclusion

Understanding betting markets is essential for making informed choices and improving your results. From basic markets like match winners to advanced ones like Asian handicap, each option offers unique opportunities. Use this guide to explore markets and adjust your strategies. Good luck and happy betting!