So, you want to start wagering on football and would like a beginners guide to football betting? If you answered this question as “yes”, you are in the right place. Football is one of the most popular sports people bet on passionately in the world, and truth be told if you really want to win in it or get the same rewards these avid players get, then it is important that you understand things like the key features of football markets and their inner workings as well. Whether you are betting as a hobby  or in it professionally, this beginners’ guide gives you knowledge on how football betting works, odds, types of bets you are likely to come across and tips too that’ll make the process easier for you. Let’s dive in… What Is Football Betting? Football betting is the act of predicting football match results and placing a wager (bet) on their outcomes. In football betting there are several markets offered by bookmakers in competitions and league matches as well. Each market is different and pays differently depending on the rules of prediction governing them and how accurately you make those predictions. How Does Football Betting Work? During football season several matches can happen in a week making available markets to bet on which are offered by bookmakers (betting sites) in the form of huge varieties of different odds on every single detail of a match. These bookmakers give their prices on the outcome of matches and events that happen during a match like number of goals scored, corners won, red or yellow cards issued to a player, and individual goal scorers. Similarly, many different bookmakers continuously give customers special offers and competitive odds to ensure that you get the best value bet. Once the outcome of your betting prediction is confirmed and your bet emerges a winner, you will be paid your original stake price plus the winning from the odds. What are odds in football betting? In betting, odds are what represent the probability of an  event occuring (like a match ending in a draw or 4 goals to one). The price shown for an odd means the percentage chance of an event happening or not. Odds also represent the ratio between amounts staked by parties to a wager or bet. So, if there is an odds of 3 to 1 it simply means the first party (the bookmaker) staked three times the amount wagered by the second party  (the bettor). If you are starting football betting or any other type of betting, you need to understand, read and be able to interpret various odds formats because it helps you intelligently place bets. Types of odds There are three main types of odds – Moneyline (American), British odds (fractional), and European odds (decimal). We have briefly explained all 3 types below. 1. Fractional Odds Fractional odds, UK or traditional odds are mostly used by British and Irish bookmakers and are written with a slash (/) or hyphen (-). The world’s largest bookmakers use this odds. In fractional odds you receive a stipulated amount plus the wager you placed, as a total payout. So if the odds are 6/1, you will get $6 for $1 you placed. And will also get your stake back in addition to the profit of $6 that’s $7. 2. European Odds European Odds  or Decimal odds are popular in places like Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. These odds are easier to understand and calculate and it involves supporting favorites or underdogs. Decimal odds numbers represent the amount you win for every $1 you wager and the total payout you get rather than the profit. Your stake is already included in the decimal number, so there is no need to add back your stake. If you bet $100 on a decimal listing of 4.00 you get a total payout of $400 that is ($100 x 4.00) – your initial stake of $100 and a net profit of $300. 3. Moneyline Odds Moneyline Odds aka American or US Odds are popularly used in the United States. In moneyline, odds backing favorites are accompanied by a minus sign (-)  and show the amount you need to stake to win $100 – e.g stake $300 to win payout of $100. While odds for underdogs have a plus sign (+) and show the amount you win for every $100 you stake. E.g stake $100 to win $300. Whether you back the favorites or underdogs, you get your initial wager price back plus the amount won. Types of Football Bets There are different types of football bets or markets. In some, like Accumulator Bets, you can combine different selections into one large odds price to place your bet. 1. Double Chance Double Chance bets lets you bet on three outcomes of a match: Home team or draw Away team or draw Home team or away team win If any of your outcomes happen, you win. 2. Accumulator Bets Accumulator Bets combine multiple selections into one bet and have the potential to offer you big rewards because your winnings from each match selections are put on the next one.  You can pick up to four teams and if they all win, you receive your payout. 3. Over/Under In Overs and Unders you bet on the amount of goals to be scored, over or under an amount. If you bet over 2.5 it means 3 or more goals, while under 2.5 means 0, 1, or 2 goals to be scored. 4. Draw No Bet In Draw No Bet you bet on the outcome of a match, but if it ends in a draw, you get your money back. DNB is a safe bet, but has  lower odds than other markets. 5. In-Play In In-Play betting, you can place your bets for an outcome while a match is currently ongoing. As you watch the match live, you can bet on which team will score next. 6. Match Bet Match Bets

Betting on football involves predicting results on matches and placing a ‘bet’ or ‘putting money’ or ‘staking’ on the outcome. ‘Odds’ in football betting represent the probability of an event to happen and makes you able to calculate how much money you will win if your bet wins. For example, with odds of 2.0, for every N1,000 (Kes 1,000) you bet, you will potentially win N2,000 (Kes 2,000), and for every N500 (Kes 500) you bet, you will potentially win N1,000 (Kes 1000). What betting odds do is present how likely the event is to happen. Let’s make it more clear. In a match between Chelsea and Manchester United, if you decide to place an N1,000 (Kes 1,000) bet on the away win betting market at odds of (1.70). When Manchester United win the game, you will have earned N1,700 (Kes 1,700), N700 (Kes 700) of which will be profit for you. Odds can be displayed in two different ways with most online betting sites – fractional or decimal. In fractional odds, odds of 6/1 could mean if you bet a dollar or naira or shillings, and you win you get paid six dollars or naira or shillings (6 x 1 = 6). Odds in the form of (2.0,1.7) are called decimal odds. Betting in football gives you the ability to predict the outcome of certain ‘events’, and if your prediction is correct, you will win money. Events are like football matches for example. You can take the BettingOffers of bookmakers, bet on a team to win, draw or lose, the first and last goalscorer, the correct score, the half-time score, number of goals, whether there will be a sending-off, a hat-trick, penalty or the number of corners, and so on. In betting, there are different kinds of ‘markets’; ‘pre-match’ markets and ‘in-play’. Some markets offer odds on whether there might be a goal, card, corner or penalty in the first five minutes of the match, for example. Pre-match markets involve placing bets before kick-off, while In-Play is betting that takes place after an event has started and up to its end. Some bookmakers or online betting sites sometimes call In-Play ‘live betting’. Betting on your favorite football match is about more than just who will win or what the final score will be. In fact, some bookmakers (online betting sites) now offer hundreds of markets on just a single match and many more if you decide to bet In-Play. As a beginner, you can be confused by the multiple markets available, but keep calm we’d explain them to you gradually. You will soon start to learn how the whole betting process works, by learning a few key markets at first. You as the bettor can choose whether you want to place ‘single bet’ on one of the markets or play ‘multiple bets’ or ‘accumulate’ several events for bigger returns. These are some of the most popular markets and terms in football betting: 1. Stake: This is how much money you place on a bet 2. Handicap:  This is a type of bet that is offered when one team is the clear favorite 3. Both Teams to Score (BTTS):  If both teams score in a football match. 4. Total Goals: The total number of goals to be scored in a match 5. Multiple Bets: Any bet involving more than one selection 6. Accumulator Bet: An accumulator bet is a single bet that links together four or more bets and is dependent on all the bets winning to make a profit. 7. 3 way (1X2): This is home team wins, draw or away team wins 8. Double Chance: This is a type of bet where you pick a winner and if they win or it is a draw, you win the bet 9. 1st team to score or the last team to score: This could go to the home team or away team, or no goal to be involved in a match 10. Totals (2.5):  This is when you bet on the number of goals to be scored. Over 2.5 means if there will be 3 or more goals. Under 2.5 would be 0, 1, or 2 goals to be scored. 11. Clean sheet home team/away team: Will the home or away team play to nil (yes or no). Play to nil means without conceding

Want sports news on the go? We took a look at the top sports bloggers to follow on Twitter. In no particular order, you will find some of the best sports reporters to follow on Twitter, some of them will inspire you to laugh as you browse through some funniest sports Twitter accounts. No matter what you type of sporting information you need, you are sure to find them through this bloggers.   Real Madrid News Twitter:@RMNewsToday The Twitter account was opened July 2016. Although it bears the names of the club, it was created by fans for others fans. On the Twitter feed, you get all you need to know about your favorite club, as a fan. There is news on the club, including transfer rumors and actual transfers, reports on matches, commentaries, lineups, memorable pictures concerning the club, especially that of goals. In addition, the Twitter account provides an opportunity for fans to interact by analyzing games. Plus, it is an extension of the blog where fans who are interested in football betting can bet responsibly. Inside World Football Twitter: @insidewldftball In existence since 2009, the Inside World Football Twitter feed keeps you informed on the world of football in general. This Twitter account would, therefore, not only appeals to fans but everybody in the world of the game. It caters to people on the business side and the entertainment side alike. With over forty-seven thousand followers, the account is there to serve as a resource provider designed to keep you informed on all the inside scoop, gist, news, information on the world of football. Apart from tweets, they also provide pictures and videos that would come in handy if one loves the sport.   The Football Girl Twitter: @thefootballgirl Melissa Jacobs, who is the creator of The Football Girl blog and Twitter account, has proven again and again that football is not only a man’s thing. Many have associated the love for football and many other sports to men, but Melissa is showing that you can be a woman and totally love the sport. She dishes information about football that men and women alike would appreciate. She, however, also gives insight into what it is like to be a woman in her industry. Plus, she addresses general issues as well that she terms, “helpful fantasy advice.”   Illegal Curve Hockey Twitter: @IllegalCurve   The Twitter account of the hockey blog and show, the Illegal Curve Hockey, is the interactive arm for all hockey lovers. However, the Twitter account, which was created in 2008, is particular about Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose news. Therefore, if you are a fan of both or either of the two hockey clubs, you can visit their Twitter feed to discuss and interact with hockey like yourself as well as the presenters of the show. And you can get acquainted with the schedules of the two hockey clubs (both of their games and their practice) in addition to other hockey news.   RunToTheFinish Twitter: @RunToTheFinish Being on Twitter since April 2009, Amanda Brooks, the creator of RunToTheFinish, is focused on running and how it can improve your health. Her tweets are targeted towards making you fit through running to the finish. Accordingly, she mentioned that her tips and information are well researched to make you maintain a healthy lifestyle and well-being. Her feed also contains retweets from similar coaches who tweet information on another form of exercises to engage in. Therefore, her Twitter feed does not just concentrate on running but other forms of exercises as well that you can be sure to benefit from.   Football Action Twitter:@UKaction Football Action, a UK based football blog, created the Twitter account in December 2003. The love of the British for football is not hidden as they even house some of the most popular football clubs in the world. So it is not surprising that there is a blog dedicated to football that is based in the UK. Their Twitter feed would be attractive for football fans who want to interact on breaking and updated news, accurate information, commentaries, football transfers and match analysis as well as any information on the world of football that would appeal to fans.   Diamond Hoggers Twitter:@DiamondHoggers Joined Twitter since April 2009, the Twitter account of Diamond Hoggers is a go-to place for all baseball fans. The blog itself provides all kinds of information and updated news that a baseball fan would appreciate. So, their Twitter feed is an extension of what happens on the blog. Only, now there is room for interaction between the fans as well from everywhere in the world. If you are a fan of baseball and you are looking for a place to visit to interact with like minds, then the Twitter feed of Diamond Hoggers is there for you.   Cage Potato MMA News Twitter: @cagepotatomma The Twitter account, which was opened in February 2009, is the delight of fans and lover of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Cage Potato was founded by Jared Jones to cater to updated and valuable news, information, fight schedules, fight videos and every other thing associated to MMA. Apart from that, however, there are tweets of videos, pictures or just general to have fun with so not to make it all boring with MMA talks. Some of the videos tweeted or retweeted are really good for laughs and can appeal to you whether you are a fan of MMA or not.   Baseball Musings Twitter: @statsguru The Twitter account of Baseball Musings was created in March 2008 by David Pinto, the founder of Baseball Musings, who started blogging about baseball since 2002. Usually, David Pinto tweets the posts posted on his blog, the Baseball Musings. It is, however, also a go to place for baseball fans to have a field day talking about their favourite sports. The Twitter feed is not only an avenue to learn a lot about what is going on in the sport through the information

This is easily the biggest test that each of these sides would face this early season, but Valencia who are overachieving have been the most impressive of the two sides. Los Che come into this game after of some more than impressive wins at the Mestalla. They have scored 15 goals at home this season including results like 5-0 vs Malaga, 4-0 vs. Sevilla, and Leganes 3-0. Barcelona would be their toughest opponents so far, but they would be up for a fight here judging by their impressive form this season, and we see them going toe-to-toe with the Catalans. Barcelona currently tops the La Liga table, but just four points separate them from Valencia as they look to reclaim the league title from Real Madrid. Their 4 match winning streak was initially ended by Olympiacos in the Champions League, but they managed to put together another two-games winning run which was ended by Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday. They have a minor injury crisis, which saw Lionel Messi only able to play from the bench in their game against Juventus. They may have work to do to get a win here; as it is obvious Valencia are capable of getting at least a point here. Barcelona won their two games together last season in the league. Valencia have lost their last two games against Barcelona, but they have scored at least two goals in  those games. We believe both teams to score is a good tip for this game.

Will Alexis come into contention for our Premier League opener against Leicester City? Find out when Arsène Wenger speaks to the media LIVE on Arsenal.com and the Arsenal app from 9am (UK time) on Wednesday. Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/wenger-live-alexis-team-news-and-leicester#ShlrOhi4jvUhlT34.99 Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/wenger-live-alexis-team-news-and-leicester#DVPV0zOIlqYrxITB.99 Will Alexis come into contention for our Premier League opener against Leicester City? Find out when Arsène Wenger speaks to the media LIVE on Arsenal.com and the Arsenal app from 9am (UK time) on Wednesday. The Chile international did not feature in the Community Shield win against Chelsea after his exertions at the Confederations Cup this summer. The boss will provide the latest update on Alexis, and offer all the latest team news including whether Mesut Ozil will be fit for the game. iOS users can watch the live press conference on the Arsenal App, as well as on Arsenal.com. Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/wenger-live-alexis-team-news-and-leicester#ShlrOhi4jvUhlT34.99 Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/wenger-live-alexis-team-news-and-leicester#DVPV0zOIlqYrxITB.99