LowPlays Soccer Betting Guide
There has been a growing interest in soccer in the US, especially with the recent transfer of Lionel Messi to the MLS. More people are realizing how amazing this sport is and the massive betting action available on soccer events around the globe. Anyone can technically bet on soccer, but you need the right advice and proper knowledge of the sport to squeeze out the best value. That’s exactly what I hope to provide in this guide.
How Soccer Betting Works
Betting on soccer is like betting on any sport, really. You select odds on any event and stake on it. You can place single bets or stack up multiple selections into a parlay bet slip. But there are easily 100s of betting markets available on any single event in soccer which is why it’s crucial to understand the game in order to place bets that have the best chances of being successful.
So how does a soccer match work?
Soccer is a team sport, where each squad comprises 11 players (on the field). Matches are played over 90 minutes, separated into two halves of 45 minutes each. This is the standard regulation time, but there’s also added stoppage time to make up for any delays that may have occurred during the game. Soccer matches can often end in a draw without a clear winner. However, in knockout matches where a winner has to be decided, extra time can be added – usually two 15-minute halves – to determine a winner. If a winner is still undecided the match goes into penalty shootouts.
Just as there are multiple ways the match can be resolved, there are also plenty of ways to place bets on the game. And the betting site you play at will determine the variety of markets you can wager on, as well as the quality of the odds. Hence the reason why you should definitely stick with the top US soccer sportsbooks.
Recommended Soccer Betting Sites
Types of Bets
There’s a variety of betting options for soccer; while some are more straightforward and beginner-friendly, others are a little complicated and are best left to the pros. I’ll take a comprehensive approach, covering all the betting markets for all bettor levels.
Moneyline
The money line is always the most straightforward bet type for any sport. For soccer, though, there’s the 3-way moneyline and the 2-way moneyline.
3-way Moneyline
The draw possibility in soccer matches is the reason for the three-way moneyline bet. It features a 1X2 format – You can either bet on a home win (1), a draw (X), or an away win (2). Here’s an example:
Inter Miami CF -150
Draw -110
FC Cincinnati +350
The more negative the odds value, the more likely a team is to win, and vice versa. So, in this example, the odds indicate that Inter Miami is the favorite to win. A draw is the second most probable option, while Cincinnati winning appears to be a long shot.
2-way Moneyline
This version of the moneyline eliminates the draw outcome. For this reason, it’s often referred to as the Draw No Bet. Basically, if the match ends in a draw, the bet is invalid, and your stake is refunded. The 2-way moneyline will adjust the odds on either team to reflect the probability of a win or loss without considering a tie. The odds could look something like this:
Inter Miami CF -190
FC Cincinnati +130
The soccer moneyline bet may be a straightforward bet where you simply pick the outcome of the match, but it doesn’t always offer the best value. When there’s a heavy favorite, the sportsbook increases the vig (profit margin), thereby shortening the odds significantly. So, there’s barely any profit if the bet wins. Luckily, other soccer betting markets are able to enhance the potential returns a bit more by evening out the odds.
Double Chance
The double chance bet increases your win probability because it allows you to bet on two outcomes simultaneously. In a matchup between the USA and Wales, a double chance bet on the USA will win if the team wins or draws the match. It only loses if Wales is an outright winner. Rather than remove the draw, this one combines the draw probability into your selected team’s winning odds.
USA or Draw +110
Wales or Draw -300
USA or Wales -200
At most betting sites, there’ll also be a double chance option for either team to win, hence the USA or Wales option above. This bet pays as long as the outcome isn’t a draw. Given the higher win probability, double chance odds are significantly lower than the moneyline.
Under/Over Totals
In soccer, the totals bet is based on the goal line. You simply bet on the combined number of goals that will be scored in a match, regardless of which side scores them. This is a low-scoring sport and can often end with no points scored at all. So total lines can be as low as under 0.5, indicating a goalless match. You’ll often find lines as high as 5.5 or 6.5, too. Where there’s a significant difference between opposing teams and the favorite is expected to have a sweeping victory, goal lines can be even higher.
Here’s how over/under odds can look like:
USA vs Wales
Under 3.5 -125
Over 3.5 +130
Soccer Spreads
Soccer spreads are often referred to as handicap bets. This is because this market handicaps the favorite by giving it a goal deficit before the start of the game. On the other hand, the underdog gets a goal surplus. And the aim is to balance the odds and even the playing field. For this bet to win, your selected team needs to cover the point spread allocated by the sportsbook. Here’s an example for context:
Inter Miami CF (-2.5) +200
FC Cincinnati (+2.5) +180
From my earlier example, Miami is the favorite to win. So typical handicap odds may give them a goal deficit of -2.5. This means they need to win by more than 2.5 goals to cover the spread. In other words, they must win by three or more goals. If they win by fewer goals, draw or lose the match, the bet fails.
Cincinnati instead was given a surplus of +2.5, meaning they need to lose by no more than 2.5 goals in order to cover the spread. In other words, they must lose by two goals or less. The bet also wins if they draw or win the match outrightly.
Asian handicaps
The Asian handicap is a variation of the handicap or point spread. The main difference is that it eliminates the draw outcome so if it occurs your bet will be returned to you. Asian handicap also markets have a variety of lines including integers, .25, .5, and .75.
The .25 or .75 format are probably the most common and are known as quarter lines. You can start wrapping your head around it by thinking of it as a bet on two handicap lines at the same time. You’ll place a single wager, but the sportsbook will split it to cover the two closest handicap intervals.
For context, let’s consider the following Asian handicap market:
USA vs Wales
USA (+2.75) -210
Wales (-2.75) -150
If you select Wales, your bet will be split into two. Half your bet goes to the -2.5 line, and the other half goes to the -3.0 line. If Wales wins by 3 goals, the -2.5 line wins. Since the team needs to score over the indicated goal line to cover the spread, the -3.0 line bet fails. However, the outcome is right on the line, so your bet is considered a push, and your stake will be refunded to you. In order for both bets to win, the game needs to end with a win margin of 4 or more goals for Wales. On the other hand, both halves of the bet will lose if they win by 2 or fewer goals, or if they lose the match.
Similarly, USA needs to lose by 2 goals or less, for both bets to win. If they lose by 3 goals, the +2.5 line bet fails, and the 3.0 line bet is a push.
Prop Wagers
Props (proposition bets) are bets placed on specific occurrences within the game that don’t have to do with the match result. Prop bets focus on individual player performances, team statistics, or card markets. Some of the most common ones are:
- First goalscorer: which player will score the first goal in the match?
- Both teams to score: will one or both teams register goals during the game?
- Player assists: which player will provide the most assists during the match?
- Yellow/red cards: how many yellow or red cards will be issued by the referee?
- Corner kicks: how many corner kicks will be awarded during the game?
Prop markets add an extra layer of excitement to soccer wagering and a variety of ways to diversify your bets. The top sportsbooks will offer even more granular props, like whether or not a top player will score within the first 10 or 15 minutes of the match. Player prop markets also include passes, shots, shots on targets, saves, tackles, and much more. Hundreds of props and specials are usually offered on the most anticipated matches.
Futures Betting
Soccer is a great sport for futures betting because there are lots of tournaments and leagues available. A futures bet lets you select who you think will win a tournament or league championship. These long-running bets will also allow you to predict who’ll advance past a certain round, or who’ll face relegation. You can also find future markets on individual players. A popular one is which player will get the Golden Boot in the World Cup.
Futures odds become available even before a competition or league begins. When you bet early enough, you’ll get the longest odds that offer massive potential payouts. The odds shorten as the competition advances and the picture of a potential winner becomes clearer.
Half time/Full-time
This is another very interesting way to bet on soccer. Where the moneyline on a heavy favorite will offer short odds, you can decide to back the team on half-time results instead. You’ll get longer odds and much better value this way. Half-time/full-time markets also include match or team totals and props/specials for those designated periods.
A Brief History of Soccer
The idea of kicking a ball into a net sounds very simplistic, but that’s the basis of this sport that has become a global phenomenon. As for who invented soccer, some say the sport dates back to Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and even the Han Dynasty. It’s fairly certain, though, that immigrants brought soccer to the US.
Modern soccer, as we know it today, in its structured format and standardized rules, was championed by England. The first football association was formed in London in 1863, marking the birth of professional football. The 20th century saw an unprecedented growth of the sport. The inaugural FIFA World Cup was held in 1930, with the US being one of the 13 nations to participate.
The rest of the century saw the formation of multiple leagues, the creation of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and the rise of iconic players like Pelé and Diego Maradona. Some of the top names to have played in the US pro league are the Brazilian legend Pele himself, Thiery Henry, and recently, Lionel Messi.
Top Soccer Leagues and Tournaments
The MLS (Major League Soccer) isn’t necessarily one of the top soccer leagues in the world, but it’s the major contributor to the development of the sport in the US. Since its establishment in 1993, it has grown in size and popularity, currently boasting 29 teams, with clubs located across the United States and Canada. The regular season typically runs from late February or early March to October and the playoffs from October to December. So, there’s a good amount of betting action for most of the year.
The MLS is the pinnacle of US soccer, but just a drop in the ocean of worldwide betting opportunities available for this sport. Here’s a quick look at some of the premium soccer tournaments you can bet on:
English Premier League
The English Premier League (EPL) is the top football league in England. It’s home to big-name clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United.
La Liga
Spain’s premier league is just as competitive as the EPL. The fierce rivalry between Barcelona and Madrid, known as El Clásico, is one of the sport’s biggest spectacles. And the clashes between legendary players Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo remain some of the most memorable moments of all time for the sport.
Bundesliga
Germany’s Bundesliga is known for having really enthusiastic fans, relatively high-scoring matches, and successful teams like Bayern Munich.
Serie A
Another majorly successful league, Italy’s Serie A, has a rich history, carried by clubs like Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan, who have achieved great success both at home and abroad.
Ligue 1
France’s Ligue 1 is a hub of young and promising talent. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), home club of Kylian Mbappe, has become a major player in European soccer.
FIFA World Cup
The World Cup is the biggest international soccer tournament. It’s held every four years, and the next edition is in 2026.
UEFA Champions League
The Champions League probably has the highest levels of play across all tournaments because it brings together clubs from all the top-ranking leagues in Europe, including the EPL, La Liga, and Bundesliga.
UEFA European Championship (Euro)
This competition features the top countries from across the continent vying for the coveted trophy. Like the World Cup, it’s also held every four years. The 2024 Euro marks the 17th edition of the tournament.
African Cup of Nations (AFCON)
The AFCON not only elevates African soccer on a global stage, but it also showcases the best national teams on the continent. It’s held roughly every two years.
Copa America
Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay have some of the richest soccer traditions and fierce rivalries. As such, South America’s version of the Euro is a must-watch event for fans.
Soccer Betting News
Soccer Betting FAQs
When does the soccer betting season start?
With so many leagues and competitions, there are always soccer events to bet on at any time of the year. During the MLS off-season, the EPL and other top leagues are still in full swing.
Where can I get the best soccer odds?
Lots of US sportsbooks offer soccer odds. However, international operators like bet365 tend to have the most competitive odds and the greatest variety of markets in this sport.
When are soccer betting odds available?
Oddsmakers put out prices on soccer events weeks or months in advance. Future odds will often be provided even before the season kicks off. This gives ample time for you to shop around for the best prices and plan a betting strategy as well.
Can you bet on soccer in the USA?
Yes, you can place soccer bets at any mobile, online, or retail sportsbook in any legal sports wagering state.
What is the single biggest soccer betting event of the year?
League finals are often the main events soccer enthusiasts look forward to every year. However, when international competitions like the Euro or the World Cup are running, those easily take center stage.