Jane Njoku

What are some unexpected insights for football matchups for predictions you can’t do without when you’re betting on a game?

There are a lot of football fans who enjoy predicting matches as much as they love watching them. These are the ones that flock to football prediction sites like Matchplug, hoping to get cash in exchange for Soccer Predictions.

We’ll admit, predicting a game accurately is a thrilling feeling. And while some bettors depend on luck, others rely on statistical football information and analysis to make great predictions.

When it comes to predicting football matches, you don’t need to depend on luck, especially when you’re placing football wagers. Anything can happen in football, even disadvantaged underdogs beating the chosen favourites; this is rare though.

Football is unpredictable, which is why you should never go uninformed. You must analyze the league, players, past scores, team history, and other factors that influence the outcome of a matchup. We’ve uncovered these unexpected insights for football matchups for predictions, check them.

Related: Using Player Psychology to Make Better Football Predictions

Article Content:

• 16 unexpected insights for football matches for predictions 
• Unexpected insights for football matches for predictions and how they work

16 Unexpected Insights For Football Matchups For Predictions

• Variables
• Team form 
• Home advantage
• Goal expectancy 
• Head-to-head records 
• Club’s tactics and playing style
• Team lineup
• Home and away form
• Injuries and suspensions
• Goal differential 
• Shots on goal
• Location of shots
• Key players
• Betting markets
• The motivation of the teams
• Weather conditions 

See: How To Develop A Winning Strategy For Football Predictions

Unexpected Insights For Football Matchups For Predictions And How They Work 

If there are one thing football fans who practice Sure football prediction understand, is that mastering certain factors that influence the outcome of a game provides a competitive edge over bookmakers and other bettors.

When studying football matchups for predictions there are a lot of insights you should consider because of their effect on how your wagers will turn out.

We’ve listed them below:

1. Weigh All Variables

There are a lot of variables you should consider when analyzing a football match. They include team performance data such as goal differential, shots on target, location of shots and possession. 

These variables are so important, that Bookmakers collect them too before setting odds between opponents.

Additionally, evaluate the last 10 matches of the team. Doing all these things may be time-consuming, but it’ll be worth it in the end.

2. Study Team Form 

A team’s current form is among the most important insights for football matchups to weigh when predicting a game. 

Things like recent results, goals scored and forfeited, injuries, and suspensions, give a well-rounded understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of a team.

For instance, if a team has won a series of matches, its squad may be confident and motivated going into its next match. Similarly, a team that has been on a losing streak, may not keep up in their next game.

3. Home Advantage

The home advantage factor is another one of the insights for football matchups for prediction, that can determine the outcome of a match. 

Clubs playing on their home field get an advantage over their opponents as they are used to the stadium and its conditions. Plus they’ll probably have more supporters. When making a Football Prediction always consider the venue. 

See also: Football Predictions: Exploring The Impact Of Home-field Advantage

4. Check The Goal Expectancy 

Most online resources even Football Prediction sites and sports forums will give you an idea of the goal expectancy of a match. Which is why you must read match previews.

Expert commentators provide helpful information too about the possible number of goals for a particular matchup. Watch out for the ball possession rates of each team.

When you collect this data, do so from various sources so that you can understand the possibility of goals between the two sides.

5. Research Head-To-Head Records 

Studying the head-to-head record of two teams gives you vital insight into how to predict the outcome of a match.

By examining previous results, goals scored and conceded, and any other trends or patterns surrounding a football match,  you can better understand the dynamics between two teams.

If one team continuously dominates the other in a head-to-head record, they might get a psychological advantage for their next match.

6. Assess A Club’s Tactics And Playing Style

A team’s tactics and playing style can impact the outcome of a match too.

An example would be a team that is popular for playing defensive football, they have lower chances of scoring many goals, which often results in a draw or loss.

7. Who’s On The Team’s Lineup?

A team is only as strong as the players representing them in a match. That is what makes this one of the most important unexpected insights for football matchups for prediction.

Before you back a team, evaluate its roaster. If there are experienced players in the lineup of a team, then their chances of winning a game are higher.

But, do not underestimate the ability of new players in a team since they too influence outcomes. Do as much research as possible to learn more about the players.

8. Home And Away Form

Home advantage is a popular factor in football prediction, where teams often play better at home than they do on the road.

When you note a team’s home and away, you’ll understand their overall performance better. For example, a team with a strong home record that struggles away from home may be more likely to win their next home match than the next away game.

9. Injuries And Suspensions

Injuries and suspensions can affect the outcome of a football match too, especially if a key player is injured or suspended. This can cause the team to struggle to play at their best, which can cause a loss or draw.

10. Goal Differential 

The goal differential is the most accessible insight in any football statistical category which offers important information for a match. 

Assess the data provided about the goal differential of the game. Check past performances to predict an upcoming game better.

11. Shots On Goal

Every shot taken for a goal is unique, but the more players try to shoot a goal, the higher their chances of getting it.

Learn more about the ball possession of a team and their number of shots and goal shots.

Expert football statistics say a team with a higher ball possession percentage has a higher chance of making better shots.

12. Location of shots

It’s a known fact that a few teams shoot better shots from a specific position on the pitch. In the same way, an opposing team might defend better at certain parts of a pitch.

During your Football Prediction, the location of shots is important. You can also calculate the possibility of shots from various positions of a pitch.

13. Evaluate Key Players

While football is a team sport, single players can significantly impact the outcome of a match. When you evaluate key players on the two teams, including their form, playing style, and injury status, you can then understand their impact on a match.

One scenario would be if the star striker of a team was injured, they may have problems scoring goals in their next match.

14. Consider Available Betting Markets

Betting markets are another unexpected insights for football matchups for prediction which you should start taking seriously. This is because a betting market can offer a vast range of football stats and tips for predicting the outcome of a football match.

When you analyze the odds and betting patterns, you understand the expected probability of a match outcome. For instance, if a team is massively favoured to win a match, it will be more likely to win the said match.

15. Understand The Motivation Of The Teams

A team’s motivation for playing a game is another unexpected insight for football matchups for the prediction that can determine the outcome of a match. 

If one of the participating teams is playing to avoid relegation or secure a spot in a major tournament, they might be more motivated to win a match, than a team that has nothing to play for.

16. Weather Conditions 

While this insight looks insignificant in the grand scheme of things, it can heavily influence the outcome of a football match.

There are teams which struggle to play their usual football style during heavy or strong winds, which cause them to end in a draw or loss.

Similarly, a team from a colder region may not thrive well in a place with hotter weather and vice versa. If teams are uncomfortable playing a match, it can affect their morale and drop their productivity.

As you’ve learned, predicting football matches requires you to have an insight into statistical information, as football matches can be hard to predict.

However, with football statistics and mathematics, you can make a better and more informed prediction, especially when they’re combined with insights.

Understanding Insights is the closest you’ll get to winning in football predictions, so don’t base your betting strategy on luck. Instead, leverage analytical data to stay ahead of the pack.

More Resources:

Analyzing Offensive Versus Defensive Stats For Improved Football Predictions

Analyzing Football Betting Trends To Develop Winning Predictions

In this article we’ll be explaining the steps to analyzing offensive versus defensive stats for improved football prediction; you might want to pay attention.

As a true football enthusiast, we believe you know how crucial statistics are to this game. And whether you’re just here to support your team or you’re a professional bettor, having an understanding of football stats and predictions is important when you want to make insightful decisions.

Statistics are vital for Football Prediction,  knowing how they work and how to use them will help you make better decisions about upcoming matches. Through analyzing various statistics, you’ll get an in-depth analysis of a player’s or team’s performance and use this information to make football predictions on games.

Statistics like offensive and defensive stats span a broad range of data. And like other metrics are also important when you’re considering wagering on a team.

If you’ll keep reading, we’ll breakdown for you how this entire process works and give you some great tips you can apply too.

Related: Analyzing Football Betting Trends To Develop Winning Predictions

Guide Content:

1. What is offensive stats?
2. What is defensive stats?
3. What is offensive vs defensive ratings? 
4. How to analyze offensive vs defensive stats for improved football prediction 

– how to measure offensive stats for improved football prediction

-how to measure defensive stats for improved football prediction 

What Is Offensive Stats?

Offensive stats are metrics that measure a team’s goal-scoring ability.

Some offensive stats you’ll come across in football prediction include – shots on target, goals, and shots.

What Is Defensive Stats?

Defensive stats are metrics that measure a football club’s ability to stop opponents’ shots and goals.

Some defensive stats examples are – clean sheets, tackles, and interceptions.

Note: Use EasyCalculation to calculate offensive and defensive stats.

What Are Offensive VS Defensive Stats Ratings In Football Prediction?

Offensive and Defensive stats ratings help you to understand a team’s offensive and defensive quality, which is something you won’t get just by looking at the score alone.

These ratings are values which indicate the points made (Offensive) and allowed (Defensive) by a team based on 100 possessions.

Both statistics facilitate the comparison of points scored and allowed by teams that play at different paces, courtesy of redistributing the points over 100 possessions. 

Redistribution on possession is vital because clarifying the score from game speed is the first step to making a uniform comparison of offensive and defensive skills. This allows you to understand the quality of a match.

How To Analyze Offensive Versus Defensive Stats For Improved Football Prediction

For an improved football prediction, statistics are important. By analyzing information like a team’s defensive and offensive strength, you can easily identify any trends and patterns that can assist you in making insight-driven decisions about which team to bet on.

Football predictions are an important aspect of football betting. When you predict the outcome of a game, you might want to do so based on several factors, including stats like the ones we mention in this article.

We discuss, how to analyze offensive versus defensive stats for improved football prediction, by looking at several metrics for measuring these stats.

Related: Strategies for Analyzing and Interpreting Football Prediction Site Data

How To Measure Offensive Stats For Improved Football Prediction

When you’re measuring offensive stats for improved Football Prediction, there are some metrics to analyze and consider. 

We listed them out below:

1. Shots

Shots are a vital measure of a team’s offensive performance. A team with a high number of shots means they are creating scoring opportunities and putting pressure on their opposition’s defense.

2. Shots Effectiveness

Typically, the more a team shoots, the higher their chances of scoring a goal. But, there are times when one team attacks for most of the match and it shoots on goal time continuously, with no positive results, while the opposition gets only one attempt, one shot on target and they are winning the match.

This just proves that the number of shots is not the only thing that matters, but the effectiveness of them too.

3. Number Of Corners

The number of corner kicks gotten by a team can be a good analysis of a team’s offensive stats too. This is because winning a corner kick shows that the team had a shot on target. Additionally, it could bring a good opportunity for scoring a goal.

4. Head-to-head 

Although head-to-head stats can go both ways, they’re still a great metric for measuring a team’s offensive stats. And we’ll explain why.

Head-to-head stats reveal everything that happened between two opposing teams in their previous matches. It can show who won which match, how many times, which side was more dominating, and which of them conceded points.

This metric is particularly helpful if it’s between two teams in the same league with a long history of facing off against each other.

5. Free Kicks 

Free kicks like head-to-head stats can also be used as a metric for offensive stats. 

If they are taking from a close enough distance against a defense that is already failing in a match, they can be an important tool in the box of a team with a powerful offense.

See: Football Prediction And Statistics – A Partnership With Incredible Results

How To Measure Defensive Stats For Improved Football Prediction 

There are three known metrics the modern analytics movement defined for measuring defenders and the defensive stats – clearances, blocks, and interceptions.

Tackles are used to measure the defensive stats of players and teams too, but a less specific to a defensive player.

Note, these categories alone do not give a well-rounded analysis of a player’s effectiveness, but they define different types of defenders. 

Let’s look at them.

1. Clearances

Having a high number of clearances requires good positioning, but is more dependent on bravery and on-the-spot defending.

2. Interceptions 

Interceptions prove helpful for determining how a footballer evaluates and anticipates a match. Cutting off a passing lane and intercepting a pass can start an attack quickly.

This is more precise than a tackle or clearance about recovering possession. It also curbs the risk of a foul.

Team defenders that have high interceptions per game cover more ground and are smarter in winning the ball back from the opposition.

3. Blocks

Blocks require a combination of fine positioning and commitment to make sacrifices for the team.

Defenders who are consistent in blocking shots offer a double service – they frustrate the opposition’s attackers and bring respite to goalkeepers. Blocks are underrated because of the preventative blocking of a shot.

4. Tackles 

Tackles provide insight into a team’s tactics. A player who tackles the offensive line frequently is one who always puts themselves into the heat of the action during a match.

This metric indicates a team’s strategy is too high press to attempt and win back the ball at any cost.

Defenders and teams that are not consistent in tackling may want to lay back and absorb pressure from the opposition’s attackers.

Read More:

Using Player Psychology to Make Better Football Predictions

Uncovering Unexpected Insights For Football Matchups For Predictions

How do you use player psychology to make better football predictions? 

There is a reason why players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi score goals more than others, why coaches often look grumpy. The role of psychology is often overlooked in football and a player’s mental state decides the outcome of a game. 

Mental health has a significant effect on a player’s performance. A bad mood, anger, frustration, stress, and even fear can adversely affect a star player’s ability to score goals, be coordinated, and sync with his teammates. The effect of these things spans from physical to psychological.

The way players feel – sad, happy, nervous, angry or indifferent has a massive impact on how they perform during a match. A player’s mood state depending on its type and intensity can hamper their skills on the football pitch. Which is why it should never be ignored no matter how in control they seem.

Football bettors must make studying players’ mental state and mood a top priority, especially if they want to keep making better football predictions. In this article we’ll be discussing player psychology in its entirety; how it works, the things that affect it, and how understanding it can improve your Football Prediction.

Check out: Football Predictions: Exploring The Impact Of Home-field Advantage

Article Content:

• What is sports psychology?

• How does sports psychology work?

• Understanding player psychology and how it affects football predictions

• How to use player psychology to make better football predictions 

What Is Sports Psychology?

Sports psychology is a field that aids footballers train with extra focus, playing confidently in games, and reflecting effectively after a match. This helps players maintain motivation, resilience, emotional control, and general well-being.

A sports psychologist can help players deal with the stress and frustration that follows an injury and transition back into playing actively on the field.

Sport Psychology exists to enhance a player’s performance and teach them mental skills and strategies that help them concentrate better, handle competitive stress more effectively and train more efficiently.

How Does Sports Psychology Work?

Football players deal with a lot of pressure from competition. Sport psychologists help them cope with the pressure from coaches, fans, and their expectations too.

Some players will seek out a sports psychologist when they have problems like anxiety,  loss of focus during competition, trouble communicating with teammates, controlling their temper, lack of motivation to participate in exercises, or freezing during key moments in a match.

But, this is not the only thing a Sports psychologist does. If a player has been injured they’ll need help with managing pain, adapting to physical therapy, or adjusting to being on the bench. The Psychologist will work on the mind so that the body can do what it needs to recover.

In addition, there are other mental health disorders football players deal with like eating disorders, depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, stress, overtraining, sleep disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These things all take a toll on their performance in the field and directly affect how they contribute to the outcome of a match.

In case you’re having any doubts about whether sports psychology boosts performance in players, the answer is yes. If a footballer combines this area with proper diet and fitness practices, they can see an improvement in how they play and remove inhibitions.

Coaches focus on the physical side of sports while sports psychologists focus on the players’ mental health.

Understanding Player Psychology And How It Affects Football Predictions

Any type of performance no matter the level can be determined by physical, technical, tactical, and mental factors. 

Most players channel their time and energy into training expecting it to be enough for them to succeed. Then they wonder why they are having a hard time achieving the same results they trained hours for.

What many football players and enthusiasts too don’t realize is that mental preparation is as important as physical one. The mind controls a lot of the decisions players make on the pitch, how they play, how they decide to score, and even their attitude to different opponents. That is why the mind must be worked differently from the body and given adequate attention.

For this section, we discuss the few areas in player psychology that can be tested and how it affects your football predictions.

1. When Players Take On New Positions

If you practice Football Prediction enough, then you might notice that players who take on new positions in a team often find it challenging to settle into this role.

One example of the influence of psychology on performance is Gareth Bale. The time Bale started as a full-back at Southampton but transitioned to a winger and attacker, a position where he succeeded exceptionally at Tottenham & Real Madrid.

This huge transition came with its mental challenges. An attacker is trained to score; while a full-back defends and gets in crosses when playing on the offensive.

2. Pressure Before Important Matches

Pro football can make players nervous, and how well the pressure before important matches is handled is dependent on personality characteristics and experience.

You would want to study the psychological characteristics of football players, as it provides you with information on how they respond to pressure and offers insight into how best players can be supported to improve their performance.

If a team likes to be well-rested before a big game, their mood may be upbeat for a match which can increase their confidence level. 

Similarly, a team that’s been playing back-to-back for the whole week may be burnt out before another game if they don’t rest.

3. Importance Attached To Winning

Yes, we know football is all about winning, and if a team doesn’t win how then can they fulfil the outcome of your predictions? 

However, what you don’t realize is coaches and football fans placing too much emphasis on winning portrays an unhealthy view of competition and breeds aggression in players.

4. Injuries

Football players who experience sports injuries are prone to negative emotions like boredom, depression, and frustration. 

Injuries can further lead to fatigue, tension, hostility, and a sense of uncertainty about their career.

If a player has been out for half of the season or a greater part of it due to injury, watch how they respond to recovery and how they fall back into working with the other players.

5. Fan Behaviour

Fan behaviour is one external factor that could influence a player’s performance during a match because of the evaluative attitude it might convey.

A supportive and cheering audience is one of the most common positive influences on a team’s motivation. Jeering fans, on the other hand, can be a negative influence.

Heightened emotions shared between spectators and players may reflect the ties they share, and this can affect how players behave on the field of play.

This influence of this factor can also be tested in “home field advantage” which is something you should consider when placing wagers. 

A team playing at home is better positioned to win a match because they have the support of fans and familiarity with the field they are playing on.

6. Mental Restedness

A good memory is needed for learning and retaining skills and tactics, making split-second decisions and planning. For a player to resist failure, defeat and injury they need to be in a good mental state.

Furthermore, they do all these while showing self-control and staying focused in the face of taunting, shirt-pulling, spitting and other aggressive behaviours from opposing players, the chanting of away crowds and the expectations of millions of fans watching from all over the world.

If a team is fatigued mentally it can impair running speed, passing, and shooting performance.

Read: Uncovering Unexpected Insights For Football Matchups For Predictions

How To Use Player Psychology To Make Better Football Predictions 

We’ve discussed player psychology and given some instances where it can affect the outcome of a football match and bettors’ predictions.

But, how can you use player psychology to make better football predictions? We’ll answer that question in this section.

We’ll be listing out certain scenarios which you would have seen in articles about Football betting tips or betting previews put up by a Prediction site for football.

These situations directly affect a player’s general mental state and ultimately influence how they play during a match. If you can understand them then you’d know which teams to back when you’re placing your wagers.

1. Rested Players

Almost no elite players you know of are getting enough sleep, a fact backed by sleep coach Nick Littlehales, who worked with Manchester United and Real Madrid players.

Players have a schedule that put recovery under pressure due to the global 24/7 demand for a sport.

While motivational speakers will argue that the early bird does get the worm, psychology and health say that the problem with getting too little sleep partly takes a toll on the physical.

Sleep deprivation spikes levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and because cortisol aids the breakdown of protein as an emergency energy source, lack of sleep reduces muscle mass and slows down recovery after a game. 

The major benefit of sleep is mental, sleeping helps players build a positive mindset and confidence. Plus, it can unlock other mental advantages like alertness, awareness, information retention, listening, patience, and decision-making.

Players who play games back-to-back specifically on the road are often overworked more than the ones who have had a bye-week or slightly flexible schedule.

2. Home Advantage

Another area that influences the outcome of a football match is home advantage. When you’re following Soccer Predictions listen for what the experts have to say about the home-field advantage, because it is important.

Teams playing at home have an advantage over the guests because they are more familiar with the stadium and the conditions, they may also have more support from the home fans. 

So, you must consider the venue of the matchup before you make your football predictions.

See also: Analyzing Offensive Versus Defensive Stats For Improved Football Predictions

3. Injuries And Suspension

If a key player in a team is injured or suspended, it may affect the morale of the other players and they may struggle to play at their best, resulting in a loss or draw during a game.

Injuries cannot be avoided in football. But, you can always prepare yourself for them. Check regularly if they have been any injuries and use this knowledge when you’re making football predictions.

If a player was injured, then he will not play at the capacity he did before he was injured or the coach will use a weak player to substitute for him. Knowing these things can help you make better predictions.

4. Player Mindset And Body Language

Mindset and body language have a significant effect on teams and opposing players. You’ll notice this during dead-ball situations.

If a player is taking a penalty and walks up to the keeper confidently, then the goalkeeper gets a feeling that he’s facing a good player and won’t be able to stop the shot.

But if the player is slouched over, shoulders down, then keepers will associate this stance with weakness and believe that they can stop the ball.

The same fact can work for a free kick. Cristiano Ronaldo is known for his pre-kick stance, legs apart and chest out. According to scientists, that is the right approach for a confident player to take.

Positive body language mixed with preparation and movement is the best way for a player to maximize their performance.

Also, watch for this mindset when a team is playing against a bigger team with more experienced players.

5. Players Who Struggle To Prove Themselves

A player that is fit physically, healthy and well-trained, with a high work rate. Equipped with all the skills he needs to be a match-winner. What if he was traded for a transfer fee of £50 million and couldn’t deliver, not scoring match after match?

Most times a player can go from being a consistent scorer and the terror of other football players to someone who misses open goals at another team. And it won’t be because he forgot how to play, it will be because he’s not in a good place mentally.

The fall of a great player sometimes has a lot to do with a huge price tag and change in the style of play from one football club to another, rather than him losing physical capacity.

6. Player Form

Checking the home and away form of a player is important. But remember that what happens in the mind affects the body too.

Every player has different levels of ability, and with it comes expectations from fans and managers who place their trust in the strength of players to perform and contribute to the club.

If a team’s highest goal scorer is in peak form, turning in many goal-scoring opportunities then there is a chance the overall team’s form is in great shape.

You can learn a lot about the current state of a team, by studying their current form. This information can also tell you about their playing style if they’re scoring more goals or forfeiting a lot. With data like this, your prediction won’t be limited to a single outcome because you’ll have numerous ones to choose from.

7. Motivation

The motivation of players in a team can also impact the outcome of a match. For instance, if a team is playing to avoid relegation or secure a spot in a prominent tournament, they might be more motivated to win a match than a team that has nothing to play for.

8. Match Importance

The importance of a match can also determine how the players will perform. 

Players tend to bring out their best performance if they are playing in the finals or derby match which has more at stake than a regular season matchup. This can make the game more intense and competitive.

Even science agrees that the mental aspect of football plays a bigger role in this industry. In terms of strength, conditioning, and coordination many teams are on par with each other, but training for the mind is often ignored.

Understanding the way a player thinks and what goes on in their mind is important for making better football predictions. And a good footballer has divergent thinking. This means they find original and creative options in a match, leaving their opponents confused.

Another area to pay attention to is mental recovery. Coaches who know that their players prefer to relax at home may improvise by lodging them in a hotel the night before a match.

Teams understand the influence of mindset on how they play. This is why when they go through a losing streak, they’ll switch out changing rooms or opt for a different jersey. Coaches will make players wear the same pullover for weeks, as long as they keep winning while wearing them. 

No matter which way you bet, note that player psychology is important in the sports industry and you must study it if you want to make better football predictions.

Further Reading:

Analyzing Football Betting Trends To Develop Winning Predictions

The Advanced Guide To Football Predictions

Fixed Matches: The Biggest Betting Scam

Want to master football prediction and bet like a pro? Our advanced guide to football predictions can break down this process for you. Give it a read.

Becoming an expert in football predictions is not an easy process, even if it feels that way. As a football fan who is interested in betting, you may want to get a piece of the action rather than learn how to become a pro at it. 

The first place to start would be to read a beginner’s guide to Football Prediction as that will provide beginner tips to set you on the right path. The second best place to start if you’ve already done the groundwork is our advanced guide to football predictions.

To make it as a pro sports bettor, lots of time is one tool you should have in your utility belt and the second one is research. You’ll also need to use as many incentives and promos offered by a Prediction Site as you can get.

Everything else you need to know to sharpen your prediction skills, you’ll find when you read this guide.

See: A Beginner’s Guide To Understanding Football Prediction Sites

Guide Content:

• How to become a professional at football predictions
• How to make expert football predictions 
• 5 ways to find value in football predictions
• Five easiest football predictions to win
• 8 expert football prediction strategies for advanced bettors

How To Become A Professional At Football Predictions

There are no specific requirements for becoming an expert in football predictions, you just need to be willing to succeed in this area. 

However, there are certain characteristics you might want to improve on if you want to become a professional football bettor. We listed them out below:

1. Develop An Interest In And A Knowledge Of Football

You don’t need to be a die-hard fan or spend all your time on football. Just pick an interest in this sport and read up on as much football information as you can.

These things will help you when making football predictions because you’ll know how each team behaves and which ones are likely to favour you in a wager. It’ll also ensure that you don’t get bored easily because you’re enjoying it.

2. Constantly Learn About Football

Knowledge is essential when making football predictions. The best approach to always take is to keep learning facts about football, teams, and the matches you want to wager on.

There may no guarantee that you’ll win all the sports you bet on, but learning things about football can help identify winning wagers from afar.

3. Get Used To Working With Numbers

You would want to learn how to work with numbers and be comfortable with this. You must not be a mathematical genius, as you’ll discover some basic mathematics that is simple to understand. However, master probabilities and odds.

Also, learn how to read betting odds. If you need help with this, you can refer to our article on Betting Basics: How Do You Read Betting Odds?  for help.

4. Control Yourself

No matter how things turn out with your Football Prediction, control yourself. Maintain discipline when wagering on matches and never bet beyond your wins.

Not reasoning based on logic and getting carried away by wins or losses can cause things to backfire and leave a gaping hole in your earnings.

5. Have A Realistic Outlook

Guaranteed, betting can bring in huge earnings, but becoming a professional bettor will take a lot of time and skill. Your first big plunge into making football predictions may not go as planned but don’t be discouraged.

A great football prediction standing takes time to build, so be patient with yourself and this industry too.

How To Make Expert Football Predictions 

Beyond the incentives, promotions, and tips you’ll get from a Prediction site for football, other things go into making expert football predictions that hit their mark 90% of the time.

Those practices that are adopted by pro football bettors who make money consistently are what we’ll discuss in this section. 

1. Work Hard, Calculate Everything

Making expert football predictions isn’t about having a gut feeling and placing wagers based on it. That’s what bettors who bet for fun do and what oddsmakers count on.

Professional bettors study the markets, examine the odds, and crunch numbers. Sportsbooks rely on complex software to read stats, predict outcomes, and set odds. But, these systems are not mistake-free, so you must work tirelessly to find what they miss and exploit it.

2. Find An Edge You Can Leverage

Professional sports bettors consistently look for an edge when making football predictions. Odds are set so that sportsbooks win when every bettor and bet has been recorded. However, this doesn’t mean that all the players will lose their wagers.

Tipping the edge in your favour by a few percentage points can be enough for you to win. There are some ways you can do this. 

The hardest part is finding information that no Prediction site for football or the market has, but because they know everything. The simplest way is to learn the odds on various websites and identify the valuable ones every time. If you earn more money anytime you win, you’ll probably be in the black for the long term.

A third part you don’t want to ignore is timing. Odds can change as a game approaches. A club can start as an underdog, but become a favourite and win the game. This is often because the market got some new information and bettors reacted accordingly. If you’re the first one to know and bet, you can get on when odds are still high.

3. Don’t Predict Based On Emotions

Regular bettors have the liberty to find any match they want to watch and then look for a bet to back. Professional bettors on the other hand study their bets first. No forcing and no emotions controlling their picks.

You’re not just betting for fun or because you secretly hope for a team to win or lose. To become an expert in football predictions, you must accept that you can’t make all the calls and you don’t possess the ability to read every game correctly.

See also: 7 Tips for Making Accurate Football Predictions

5 Ways To Find Value In Football Predictions

An essential aspect of football predictions is selecting the right wagers to start. You’ll look for bets with the highest value. This entails finding underdogs and favourites. Every sport varies, so expert bettors are distinctive in the way they find value.

But, there is a similar process of finding value in football predictions follow. We have 5 steps.

1. Don’t Look At The Odds First

To analyse the result of any football match, it is advised that you do research first before you look at the odds provided by bookmakers. 

Knowing what the odds are first, affects your judgement even if your analysis led you to some fine predictions.

2. Predict The Match Outcome

Select a likely outcome. When betting on football, decide which of the teams will, lose, or draw during a football game.

3. Reexamine Your Predictions

No one bettor can predict the future, so even when you predict an outcome that you feel could happen, you might still be wrong.

Making objective decisions should be your next move. This can be done by looking at all the possibilities of your predictions happening or not, and calculating them using percentages.

4. Set Odds

All set of odds has an implied probability, and odds can be calculated using these probabilities. For example, the probability of 34% has an odds of 3.00. You can look for an odds calculator like Oddschecker to find odd types you’re more conversant with.

5. Compare Bookmakers’ Odds Against Yours

When you have your odds, check for what the bookmakers are offering and compare them with yours.  

If you think your odds are more correct than what’s on offer at the bookies, then go ahead and make your wagers.

Two things though, one, find out why there is a huge difference between the bookmakers’ odds and yours. Two, ensure that you derived those odds after extensive research and analysis.

Related: Betting Basics: Optimizing Your Betting Selections

Five Easiest Football Predictions To Win

Before we talk about this part, we’ll just like to point out that there are no easy football predictions or bets. Every single one of them requires the same amount of effort, research, and smart thinking.

These five easiest football predictions to win we mentioned here, merely refer to bets that are the most basic to wager on because you have a better chance of earning money when you follow them. 

1. Both Teams To Score

BTTS requires you to predict if both sides will score a goal or not. In most matches where the two teams are likely to score, watch for games between rivals. None of the teams will want the other to score.

Another thing to look for is teams with similar strength, the game will end with a goal on each side of the field.

2. Over/Under:

Over/Under bets if you choose a lower figure for your wager. If both teams are good at scoring goals, you can put the figure at say 0.5. Here, you’ll only lose the wager if the matchup ends in a clean sheet which is practically impossible. 

You also won’t be predicting the exact figure the match will end in just the range, the bet will be a bit easier this way.

3. Double Chance Bet

A double chance bet is easy because you win money when any two of the three outcomes you predicted happens. This means you’ll earn money from a draw match if you wagered on a draw or lose situation.

1X2 betting with a double chance is easy to win when strong teams play against a weak team on home ground.

8 Expert Football Predictions Strategies For Advanced Bettors

If you want truly want to become an advanced bettor there are some strategies you should know. Finding out what to do in football predictions is not enough, there are some common mistakes you must avoid too.

Below are some points to help you with your predictions:

1. Have Goals

To track your football prediction progress and check staked bets, you need to set certain goals and work towards achieving them. Planning realistic targets to earn consistently, helps you monitor how much you want to win. 

You can set goals for every football match you want to bet on. Goals can be weekly, monthly or annual. However, long-term goals are better because of how unpredictable football is.

2. Track Betting Records

When you track your betting records, you can easily see how many of your bets are successful or unsuccessful. You’ll be able to identify patterns in your wins and losses too. 

Some patterns include being good at picking favourites and underdogs, if you choose many small wins or a small number of bigger wins, specific days and times you win more. 

Tracking your bet can help you find out what your football prediction strengths are and use them to your advantage when placing bets in the future.

3. Manage Your Money

Maintaining a staking plan or bankroll is one thing that helps expert bettors. If you want to bring in a certain amount of money weekly from wagers then your plan should align with this goal.

Start by setting a budget and determining how much you can comfortably place on every bet to manage your funds. If you spend more than you can lose, you’ll be risking everything. And if you spend too little you won’t earn more. 

To make this whole part easier for you, just get bankroll management so that you know how much to wager or hold back.

4. Control Your Emotions

Controlling your emotions is one football predictions strategies that surface often, even in beginner guides to football prediction. 

What it entails is you discard your emotions and use logic instead when betting on a football match. Don’t back your favourite club as this doesn’t usually end well. Instead, lean heavily on your analytical skills when in doubt.

Another area of emotion that needs controlling is feeling the need to make multiple bets after a losing streak. Don’t do this because you will lose again.

5. Be Disciplined

If you want to be an expert bettor, then you must be disciplined too and control yourself when making football predictions. 

Ensure that you follow certain rules and stick to them no matter what. Manage your spending habits and schedule so that you don’t spend all your time betting on football.

6. Be Realistic

Football Prediction is unpredictable and there will forever be moments when you’ll have a lower success rate than others.

Expert bettors know this feeling too well and understand that success is not constant in this industry. Professional bettors also place safe bets because of fear and a drop in confidence.

Keep your focus on finding value and the mindset that a bad day or slow week is common in football prediction, but they don’t last.

7. Develop A Betting Strategy

Building a betting strategy may be a gruelling process, but you’ll come to appreciate it in the long run. 

Following experts on websites and even social media can help you understand how to calculate profits, understand decimal odds, and decide the best value before placing a wager.

Form your strategy using your knowledge of football and base it on tactics and logic. Include other outcomes that may affect your football predictions like weather, location, and player form.

Finally, stay up to date with news, injury reports, suspensions, transfers, and expert predictions. This will make your strategy ironclad and increase your winning chances.

8. Research

Listening to your “gut feeling” is common in football prediction. But, it is better to treat this activity like your business. You can’t make profits by acting only on your feelings, instead, you’ll need planning and lots of research.

This means you should learn as much information as you can about the football teams you’ll be betting on. Review the past performance of each club, maintain records, draw stats, and find out what their most successful and failed conditions were.

Also, see who is on the lineup for a game. If a key player is injured or suspended, their absence can make a significant impact on the team’s overall performance; the same thing goes for their presence. 

Check for patterns too, a particular team may always lose their strong performance towards the end of the season. You’ll only know these things if you do research, and the data you get can make your prediction consistent.

Becoming an expert in football predictions takes time and effort. And if you’re going to start this process, you may want to begin by reading this guide. 

Next, brush up on your betting strategy by learning from your mistakes and hedging your bets occasionally. Even professional bettors lose the majority of their bets and have 5% margins.

You can also follow our Prediction Site MatchPlug for Football Prediction for today, betting previews, betting articles to seamless predictions, and other helpful information.

More Resources:

5 Tips On Winning A Football Prediction Contest

How To Develop A Winning Strategy For Football Predictions

What is a home-field advantage? In this article, we’ll explore the impact of home-field advantage, what it means, and how it affects football predictions.

Home-field advantage in football describes a situation where a team performs better when playing at their home stadium as opposed to playing on the road. Studied in football psychology, this concept is recurrent in matches across different leagues and competitions.

Understanding home advantage provides insights into the factors that contribute to a team’s performance in a live match. It can also be used by players and coaches to gain an advantage over their competition.

Does playing football at home give you an advantage? We’ll be answering this question while examining the influence of crowd size, referee decisions, home-field familiarity, and other psychological factors on home-field advantage.

We will discuss recent research on these topics and the implications for coaches and players who wish to exploit home-field advantage.

Read: Analyzing Football Betting Trends To Develop Winning Predictions

Content:

• What is a home-field advantage?
• Home field advantage statistics and data
• How much does home-field advantage matter in football predictions?
• Factors that influence home-field advantage
• How does a football club get a home-field advantage?

What Is Home-field Advantage?

Home field advantage is a term that describes the privileges the hosting team has over the visiting team. This advantage is likened to the psychological effects supporting fans has on competitors or referees.

It can also be attributed to the psychological or physiological advantages of playing close to home in familiar situations. And the disadvantages teams suffer when playing on the road like changing time zones, climate changes, or fatigue from travelling.

Home advantage can also be the match rules that favour the hosting team directly or indirectly.

Home-field Advantage Statistics And Data

Several statistics and data back up the impact of home-field advantage in football. 

These stats show a close correlation between home matches and victories. It also indicates that home teams score more goals than away teams.

See them listed below:

1. In the last 10 Premier League seasons, champions won more home matches at a 67% average, compared to 45% of away games won on the way to winning the title.

2. For every home match won by a Premier League Champion, the home crowd was an average of 55,174 compared to an average of 52,936 when a home match was lost.

3. During the 2022/23 Champions League Group stage matches, there were 43 home victories compared to 31 away victories.

4. In the 2022/23 Champions League group stages, there were 146 home goals compared to 142 away goals.

5. In the 2021/22 Premier League season, 55% of the penalties were awarded to home teams, while only 45% were given to away teams.

6. 52% of players from away teams received red cards in the last 5 Premier League seasons.

Gotten from Soofootball.

How Much Does Home-Field Advantage Matter In Football Predictions?

Understanding the impact of home field advantage in Football Prediction is key to identifying value in football bets and creating your football trading odds.

In this part, you’ll learn how to calculate home-field advantage and see the evidence of its influence in football.

Proof Of Home-field Advantage In Football

In case you didn’t know, football teams play better at home than they do on the road or neutral ground. And football has the biggest home advantage factor of any other sport.

A look at statistics from the 2016/17 Premier League season recorded:

• 607 home goals.
• 457 away goals.
• 49.2% of matches were won by the hosts.
• 28.7% of matches were won by the guests.
• 22.1% of games end in a draw.

From as far as 1888 till the present, the home team has always scored more goals and won more matches than the away team throughout the season.

International matches have the same bias too experienced in domestic matches. Two researchers Jim Albert and Ruud H. Koning analysed almost 9,000 matches that happened between 1993-2004.

They discovered that the home sides in international games won 50.5% of games, the away team won 24.5% and 25% of matches ended in a draw. They involved all the registered teams under FIFA in their report. Countries like Spain, Brazil, Germany, France, and Italy displayed a winning rate of over 60% at home.

The impact of home-field advantage is felt by host nations too at the FIFA World Cup. In tournaments from 1930 – 2014, the hosts advanced to the quarter-finals 17 times, semi-finals 13 times, and won 6 times.

See: Analyzing Offensive Versus Defensive Stats For Improved Football Predictions

History Of Premier League Home-field Advantage Data

To understand the home-field advantage and how consistent it is we found this graph from Smarkets that showed how often a Premier League team wins at home and how many goals they score. And thought to share it with you.

How often do Premier League teams win at home?

The graph shows home win, draw, and away win percentages for every season since the Premier League’s inception. The consistency across 25 English Premier League seasons has just a 19% differential between home win percentage.

EPL teams win on average about 46.2% of home games, a draw happens 27.52% of the time, and guest teams win in 26.32% of matches.

How many goals can an EPL team score at home?

Premier League home and away games increased over time; the most rapid growth was in away goals. Despite this, there is an obvious home advantage based on goals scored by the guests and home teams.

Since 1992/93 home teams have scored an average of 1.53 goals compared to the 1.12 goals scored by the visiting team.

Related: Uncovering Unexpected Insights For Football Matchups For Predictions

How to calculate home-field advantage for football predictions

Statistics may agree that every team plays better at home than on the road, yet it is difficult to create a global home advantage. Mostly because football teams are unbalanced.

To calculate the home-field advantage for a team, use this formula:

• Home-field advantage = (home goals scored – goals conceded at home) / number of home games played in a season. 

Here is a live example using Chelsea’s Premier League win in 2017:

• Chelsea’s home advantage = (55 -17)/ 19 = 2.00 goals.

Chelsea won by two goals or higher in 63.2% of their Premier League home-field games that season. This type of data will be useful for bettors using an Asian Handicap market.

Factors That Influence Home-field Advantage

Home-field advantage affects the general outcome of a football match and should be considered during your Football Prediction.

However, this advantage is aided by numerous factors that work on the mental and physical state of football players. It’s those factors that influence the home-field advantage we listed here.

1. Crowd Size

The impact of crowd size/fans on home-field advantage references the relationship between the number of spectators at a home match and the home team’s performance.

Research shows that bigger crowds have a more positive effect on the hosting team’s performance. This is called the ”twelfth man” effect because the fans are counted as an extra player who supports and boosts the home team’s energy.

Home teams score more goals and win more games in stadiums with a larger crowd capacity. They are also more likely to win if they are playing in front of a packed crowd.

Note, the impact of crowd size on home-field advantage may be dependent on the culture, tradition, and long-standing rivalry between two teams.

2. Referee Bias

Referees may often favour the home team in several situations, This can be during close calls or decisions that affect the result of a game.

This favouritism can be in form of giving better calls or awarding more penalties to the home teams or being more forgiving when they make a foul.

Players from the hosting teams are less likely to be sent off the pitch compared to the guests.

Home teams stand a higher chance of enjoying close calls and game-altering decisions. 

Referee bias has its implications which could affect the fairness of the game and lead to a lopsided matchup.

However, this situation can be curbed by turning attention to transparency and accountability for decisions made by referees. Referees can also be trained to avoid bias in their judgement during recruitment.

Long-distance travels stress players physically and psychologically. Which is very evident in international games like the World Cup. 

Athletes travel to varying time zones rendering them sleep-deprived and jetlagged. They also won’t know where to eat or which foods will suit their palate.

Read also: Using Player Psychology to Make Better Football Predictions

3. Travel Effect

Home teams on their part are comfortable and won’t have to disrupt their sleep schedules to train or participate in matches. This gives them leverage over the visiting team.

4. Home-field Familiarity

Home-field familiarity is an advantage a team has over their opponent by being familiar with the playing area, weather conditions, and field dimensions of their home pitch.

This type of familiarity can significantly affect home advantage in football. Teams that have had more experience playing on a field have better performance in matches.

They know the specific characteristics of their pitch like the size, shape, type of turf, and how weather conditions affect it. This can help them understand better how to play on the field and boost them psychologically.

Teams that play on artificial turf will have an advantage over teams that are used to playing on natural grass. They’ve adapted to the surface and know how the ball reacts to it. 

Similarly, they are used to the regional weather conditions and will play better over an opponent which hasn’t adjusted yet.

5. Psychological Factors

The mental and emotional factors that influence a team’s performance are called psychological factors. Psychological factors play a huge role in home-field advantage.

One such factor is crowd noise. The booing of fans creates an intimidating atmosphere for guest teams, which can negatively affect their performance.

In the same way, cheering can boost the home team and give them the confidence to keep playing well.

Team cohesion is another psychological factor that affects home-field advantage. Football clubs with strong cohesion play better because they can work together effectively.

Motivation is another factor that influences hosting teams. When a team is motivated, they play well and draw support from their fans cheering them.

How Does A Football Club Get Home-field Advantage?

There are a lot of ways football clubs get home-field advantage and it all boils down to them playing in familiar terrain. 

If you find yourself on a Prediction site for football looking at a fixture for two teams, these are some reasons why you might want to back the home team.

1. Teams Are Comfortable Playing On Their Home-field

Hosting teams feel at peace playing on the home field because it’s accessible and familiar. It could have some irregularities the visiting team wouldn’t know about, but the home team will know.

2. Refrees Extend Some Privileges To The Home Team

The official overseeing the game may favour the home team over the guests. Although they’re not supposed to bias, they’ll want to give the hosts the honour of using their space.

3. Home Teams Are Well-Rested Than Visiting Teams

Home teams don’t need to travel long distances for matches, but visiting teams may travel across the country for a game. 

Plus the visiting team will be jetlagged from travelling and be tired during the game, giving the hosts an advantage.

4. Fans Provide Support

The home field is where most of a team’s fans will be, cheering them on and motivating them to play well. This can spur them to show off by scoring a large number of goals just to impress their fans. 

5. Territorial Advantage

There is a special kind of mental boost that comes with teams playing on their turf. They can use this mentality to intimidate or subdue their opponents.

Plus there is the factor of familiarity. The home team practices on that field daily, so they are already used to how it works. The guests won’t be familiar with its irregularities and dimensions.

Further Reading:

Using Statistics For More Accurate Football Predictions

How To Develop A Winning Strategy For Football Predictions

What if we gave you a comprehensive beginner’s guide to understanding football prediction sites, would that help?

A Football prediction site creates a space for bettors to place bets on numerous sports events and games from anywhere in the world. These sites offer customers access to various games and tournaments, including different types of bets.

To begin football prediction, there are certain steps you must take – creating an account with a trusted Prediction Site is the first one. Once you have set up an account, fund your betting wallet, and start wagering on matches.

Another thing to note is that football prediction sites often use software, to sum up, odds and decide the potential payout for each wager. You can browse for events and odds, and place your bets using a website’s interface. Most sites also stream live events, allowing you to watch the action as it happens.

This is just a bit about how football prediction sites function. For the rest of this article, we’ll be speaking extensively on understanding football prediction sites and explaining every single process that goes on in a Prediction Site.

Read: Evaluating Football Prediction Sites: What to Look For

Guide Content:

• How to find football prediction sites
• How football prediction works
• How football prediction sites predict football matches
• How to place bets on football prediction sites
• How football betting odds work
• Types of football prediction markets 
• How football prediction sites make their money
• Plus and minus on football prediction sites explained
• How payouts work on football prediction sites

How To Find Football Prediction Sites

A Football Prediction is one method for betting on or predicting football matches. 

These sites assist bettors to create and fund their betting accounts or make wagers with a few clicks of their computer or mobile phone.

While some countries still kick against football betting, prediction sites have managed to double their numbers in other countries where gambling is permitted.

With that being said, how do you find football prediction sites? We have listed some steps below that should help you when selecting a Prediction Site for football to work with.

1. Research

Your research should entail reading reviews from trusted forums. Ensure that the site treats clients well, has adequate security measures in place for protecting personal data and pays winnings on request.

2. Investigate

User reviews may be helpful, but they are restrictive and can either be biased or written by the same person. So, to ensure that your hunch about a website is right, you must do your investigation.

3. Check The Available Betting Markets

Examine which betting markets the prediction site is offering. This involves the sports available on their betting menu and the types of bets you can make.

Every Prediction Site accepts wagers from other major sports besides football, like baseball, basketball, hockey, golf, tennis, combat sports, etc. 

But, the options for secondary sports/events are limited on some of these sites. So, find which site matches your betting needs and use them.

4. Read And Understand The ‘House Rules‘

House rules differ from one prediction site to another. Although these differences are hidden, they are significant and can affect your betting experience.

Before placing a wager or even using a bonus, know the rules. Any questions or concerns you have about a rule or restriction should be directed to the customer service team of the Prediction Site.

See: How Can I Find The Best Football Prediction Website?

How Football Prediction Works

In football season,  various football matches happen weekly, providing available markets to wager on which are then offered by football prediction sites (bookmakers) as huge varieties of different odds on every detail of a match.

Bookmakers attach prices to the outcome of a match and other events like the number of goals scored, corners awarded, red or yellow cards issued, and individual goal scorers.

Most Football Prediction sites provide unique offers or competitive odds to give customers the best value bets.

After the result of a prediction is confirmed, and your bet wins, you are paid the price of your original stake plus the odds winnings.

How Football Prediction Sites Predict Football Matches

To enhance your process of understanding football prediction sites, you must first learn how these sites predict football matches.

A Prediction Site for football typically combines statistical analysis, expert opinions, and insider tips to predict football outcomes. 

Some of the other techniques used are:

1. Data Analysis

Data analysis comes in handy when analysing stats like head-to-head records, targeted shots, ball possession, and the number of goals scored, to make insightful predictions.

2. Expert Opinions

Expert analysts, coaches, and ex-players have so much knowledge about how football works, so their opinions give a clearer understanding of players and teams.

3. Insider Tips

Insider tips divulge situation reports like injury, team psychology and tactical changes to facilitate accurate predictions.

4. History

The historical data of a football club and players help in identifying trends and patterns for football predictions.

5. Odds Movement

Monitor changing odds and the betting patterns used by different prediction sites to understand market sentiments and make informed predictions.

Note: Techniques vary from site to site and their accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

See also: 7 Tips for Making Accurate Football Predictions

How To Place Bets On Football Prediction Sites

Placing a football bet on football prediction sites is simple, just follow the guided steps we explained below.

1. Select A Prediction Site

Choose a preferred football prediction site before placing wagers. The Prediction Site you choose should cover popular football tournaments and have a vast range of betting markets.

It should have helpful football betting features like a bet builder, cashout function, and live streaming.

2. Create An Account

To create a betting account, visit the registration page of the football prediction site, and input your email address and other personal data like address and phone number. Next, Email the operator your documents for verification. 

3. Choose A Payment Method

After creating an account, access the cashier page and select a deposit method. 

Available main payment methods are – VISA, MasterCard, Neteller, ecoPayz, Skrill, and PayPal. Confirm your first deposit minimum and fund your account.

4. Place Bets

You can either utilise free bet credits given on a qualifying bet settlement or use your money to wager with a suitable bankroll.

However, before you place a bet, check out the events offered by the operator and analyse good betting markets. Also, compare the odds before you bet. 

How Football Betting Odds Work

Knowing how betting odds work is another key step in understanding football prediction sites. If you can master this, you’ll calculate your earnings better.

Football betting odds represent the probability of an outcome occurring. The price attached to an odd means the percentage chance of the event happening or not.

They also represent the ratio between amounts staked by parties to a wager or bet. If there is an odds of 3 to 1, it means the first party (the bookmaker) staked three times the amount wagered by the second party (the bettor).

There are 3 main types of betting odds Moneyline (American), Fractional (British), and Decimal (European) odds.

1. Moneyline Odds

In moneyline, the odds for a match’s favourite have a minus sign (-) and indicate the amount you should stake to win $100 – stake $300 to win a payout of $100.

Underdog odds have a plus sign (+) and indicate the amount you win for every $100 you stake. That is a stake of $100 to win $300.

You always get back your wager plus the amount won, whether you back the favourites or underdogs.

2. Fractional Odds

Fractional odds are characterised by a slash (/) or hyphen (-). For this type of odds, you get an agreed amount plus your wager as a total payout. 

Meaning, if the odds are 5/1, you get $5 for the $1 you placed; you’ll also get your stake back plus the $5 profit which is $6.

3. European Odds

Decimal odds numbers represent the payout you get for every $1 you stake and your total payout rather than the profit. 

Your stake is pre-added to the decimal number, so there is no need to add it again.

If you wager $100 on a decimal listing of 4.00 your payout will be $400 ($100 x 4.00), this is your $100 stake and the net profit of $300.

Check: Betting Basics: How Do You Read Betting Odds?

How Football Prediction Sites Make Their Money

Football prediction sites (bookmakers) make their money by taking a fee called “vigorish” or “vig” on every wager you place and pay out winnings when you win a bet.

Prediction sites strive to bring in more cash than they payout, so they’ll adjust odds to even the number of people backing a win or loss.

A bookie can charge you up to 10% for a vig, however, high-profile bets like a Super Bowl tight line may be higher.

Related: Betting Basics: How Do Bookmakers Make Their Money?

Plus And Minus On Football Prediction Sites Explained

The plus (+) and minus (-) in football prediction mean two things. If you know what those things are, then you’re well on your way to understanding football prediction sites.

These two symbols are used in Moneyline odds – The plus symbol shows how much a $100 wager will fetch you in a payout if it wins, while the minus symbol indicates how much you must stake to win $100.

Point spreads use plus and minus too, these are the most basic wagers in football prediction; especially in the USA. Most matches have a favourite and an underdog; the favourite gives points or runs, and the underdog gets points or runs.

Example:

A football match set as Liverpool (-3) and Manchester United (+ 3).

If you back Liverpool (favourites), you give 3 points. For your bet to win, Liverpool must win by 4 points or more. If this club wins by 3 points you don’t win or lose.

Backing Manchester United gets you 3 points. You win if Man U wins the game outrightly or if they lose by 1 or 2 points. You’ll win too if the game ends in a tie.

If a -110 was presented for both clubs, those are the odds. In this scenario, you wager $110 to win $100.

Note, lines are not often whole numbers. Half points are part of a plus or minus line wager. This makes a tie or pushes impossible.

How Payouts Work On Football Prediction Sites

Football prediction sites determine payouts based on the odds included in your bet and the amount you wager. 

The stipulated earning is listed on your betting slip. Learn this for understanding football prediction sites.

Sometimes, the payout includes the money you bet – if you wagered $10 to win $50, the total payout will be $60. 

If it is not included on your slip, simply add the amount you bet to the allotted winnings to know the total payout.

Potential odds and payouts can also be calculated before backing aside. You can learn odds and payout formulas or use online betting/odds calculators to do this. This is an example of an odds calculator.

A few Football Prediction Sites will provide payout bonuses to boost your winnings. You’ll get notifications for when these bonuses are available, anytime you log into your online betting account.

You can withdraw funds from your account when you want. The duration for the money to reflect in your bank account depends on the sportsbook. Find this out, before choosing a bookmaker.

Check this: Can You Make Money Backing The Favorites

Types Of Football Prediction Markets

Football betting markets or types of football bets are the different ways you can wager on a football match.  

There are multiple football betting markets you’ll see on football prediction sites, but we have explained a few of them in this section.

1. Money Line Bets 

Moneyline bets are the easiest and most popular type of betting market. When you back a team’s moneyline, you are simply backing them to win the match.

For example, if you favour Liverpool to win, you’ll bet on their moneyline. If this club loses the match, you lose your bet. But if they win, your bet becomes a winner.

2. Point Spread 

Most experienced bettors find point spreads entertaining because they even out the playing field.

In this type of bet, the underdogs receive “phantom” points. The bets may now be presented as:

• Manchester United +14 (-110)
• Liverpool -14 (-110)

In this example, Manchester United is predicted to lose by 14 points. But they got an ”extra” 14 points from the oddsmakers to include in their total.

For that bet to get you a payout, Man U must win or lose by less than 14 points.

Likewise,  Liverpool would need to win against Manchester United by more than 14 points to cover the spread. 

3. Handicap Bets

Handicap Bets are quite similar to point spreads and are another way sportsbooks level things between unevenly matched teams or players. 

The handicap is put there to give the weaker team an advantage, by giving them a “head start” the favourite must overcome to win.

The advantage that brings that head start is in form of points the underdogs begin with to get an edge. The favourites must pass the edge or the underdogs will use it to their advantage and you win the bet.

4. Over/Under (Totals)

An over/under bet or total is a bet made for the combined score of two clubs playing against each other in a match. 

You are wagering against a total set by the sportsbook and if the combined number of goals scored by both teams will go over or under the given number.

You bet against a total set by the sportsbook and if the combined score will fall over or under the number given.

5. Parlay Bets 

A parlay bet is a wager placed for multiple bets to win. To win in a parlay, every ”leg” or bet in the said parlay must be a winner before you can cash out your bets.

If you have a four-leg parlay and just three bets win, you’ll have a losing parlay ticket on your hands.

While experts advise that you avoid these types of football bets, they are enticing because, with a small amount, you could win larger amounts, as your profits are multiplied after each win.

6. No Draw Handicaps / Asian Handicaps

No Draw Handicaps and Asian Handicaps are the same concept, the only difference is that an Asian handicap is only used in Soccer Predictions.

If a football match between Manchester United and Liverpool ends in a tie, bettors who prefer a straight win or lose outcome for their bets will choose the No-draw handicap bet. 

No-draw handicap bets make use of part numbers to ensure that there won’t be a tie. This can be 0.25, 0.5, or 0.75 increments.

See also: Betting Basics: The Different Types Of Sports Betting

Football prediction is one of the most followed industries, with millions of devotees globally. 

This industry has witnessed a large number of Football Prediction sites pop up over the last few years.

However, it’s not everybody that understands football prediction sites or how to place football bets. 

This beginner’s guide to understanding football prediction sites will walk you through everything you need to know about football prediction and how prediction sites work.

More Resources:

Using Statistics For More Accurate Football Predictions

How To Develop A Winning Strategy For Football Predictions

Analyzing Football Betting Trends To Develop Winning Predictions

5 Tips On Winning A Football Prediction Contest

7 Tips for Making Accurate Football Predictions

The Pros and Cons of Using Football Prediction Sites