Soccer Betting Complete Guide: How To Bet & Soccer Betting Options

You will find a wide range of soccer betting options on every single game at the best online sportsbooks. This guide explains how to bet on soccer in 2024, from Copa America and the Euros to the Premier League and MLS. We have broken down the most popular betting options, explained how to read the odds, and highlighted the top soccer betting sites.

Soccer betting lines explained

The main soccer betting lines focus on the result of the match. You have three options to choose from: either side to win the game outright or for the contest to end in a draw, with odds available on each of those possible outcomes.

The favored option, or the outcome that the sportsbook deems to be the most likely, will often have negative odds, while the lines will be positive for the two other potential results. However, you will also see games with positive lines for all three options.

Soccer tends to be a low-scoring sport. Games are contested over 90 minutes, split into two 45-minute halves. Officials calculate “stoppage time” that happens during the game, which they will then add as extra time to compensate for the loss of gameplay time.

Most soccer bets are graded based on the 90-minute regulation results. In the case of a “knockout match,” in which one team will be eliminated based on the result, games that are tied at the end of regulation will play two 15-minute halves of “extra time” to decide the contest. If still tied, the game will be decided by penalty kicks.

Soccer moneyline betting

Moneyline betting simply requires you to predict the result of a soccer game. The sportsbooks will weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, and they will then assign odds to each potential outcome.

3-way moneyline

A soccer game has three potential outcomes: home win, draw (tie), or away win. An online sportsbook will release odds on each possible result before the game kicks off. Here is an example:

If the moneyline odds are negative, the number indicates the amount you would need to risk in order to generate a $100 profit. A $185 bet on Manchester United would net you $100 if they end up winning. If the odds number is positive, it tells you the amount you would stand to win from a $100 bet. A $100 bet on a draw at +360 would deliver a profit of $360 if successful, whereas a $100 bet on Fulham would result in a $460 profit if that ended up being the outcome.

You can wager any amount you like. The numbers are simply a guide. For example, a $20 bet on Manchester United would have a potential profit of $10.82, a $20 bet on a draw would stand to win a $72 profit, and a $20 bet on Fulham would result in a $112 profit if successful.

2-way moneyline

This wager is known as draw no bet. It essentially means that bets on either team to win will push if the game ends in a draw (tie). Here is an example:

If you think Brighton will win, but you are concerned that the game might result in a tie, you can bet on “Brighton tie no bet.” In that case, there are three potential outcomes:

• Brighton wins the game and you win your bet.
• The game ends in a draw and you get your money back.
• Everton wins and you lose your bet.

Soccer double chance lines

This soccer betting option allows you to cover two of the three potential outcomes. For example, here is a double chance market:

If you think that West Ham will avoid defeat, you can bet on West Ham-draw at -210. You will then win the bet if West Ham either wins or holds Aston Villa to a draw, but you lose if Aston Villa wins the game.

Additional options

There are many additional options when betting on the result of a soccer game. Here are some examples:

• Win to nil: Back a team to secure a shutout win.
• Win from behind: Bet on a team to be losing at one stage in the game but to turn things around and secure victory.
• Halftime/full time: Predict the result at halftime and full time.
• Halftime: Predict the result at halftime.
• Win both halves: Bet on a team to win the first half and then outscore its opponent again in the second half.
• Correct score: Predict the exact score at the end of the game.
• Winning margin: Guess how many goals a particular team will win by.

Soccer spread betting

One soccer team will receive a handicap, and you then need to predict which team will cover the resulting spread. Here is a straightforward example of a soccer spread:

In this example, you have two options. If you believe Manchester United will win by a margin of at least two goals, you can bet on Manchester United -1.5. Alternatively, if you think Fulham will win, secure a draw, or only lose by a single goal, you can bet on Fulham +1.5.

Online sportsbooks also offer Asian handicap lines. These alternative lines give you greater flexibility, as they introduce the potential for a bet to result in a push, a half-win, or a half-loss. Here is an example:

There will be many other options, but that chart should give you an idea of the various permutations when you place Asian handicap bets.

Soccer over/under betting

You can place over/under bets on the total goals in a soccer game. Here is an example:

• Over 2.5 goals (-110)
• Under 2.5 goals (-110)

If you expect the teams to combine for at least three goals, you can bet on “over.” If you think there will be no more than two goals, bet on “under.” You do not need to specify the result. Simply decide if you think it will be a high-scoring game or a low-scoring clash.

There will be over/under odds on 0.5 goals, 1.5 goals, 2.5 goals, 3.5 goals, 4.5 goals, and 5.5 goals at the best sportsbooks. Here are some additional options:

• Over/under on the total goals a particular team will score, such as a bet on Liverpool to score over 1.5 goals against Chelsea.
• Over/under on the number of goals in the first half or the second half.
• Bet on the exact number of goals the two sides will combine to score in a game.
• Goal bands, such as zero to two goals, one to three goals, or two to four goals in a game.
• Place an odd/even bet on how many goals will be scored.
• Asian totals, such as over 2.75 goals or under 2.75 goals.

You can also place over/under bets on the number of corners in a game, the number of shots on target, the number of yellow cards or red cards, and much more.

Soccer prop bets

Prop bets will focus on player stats, team stats, or in-game events. These betting options are normally independent of which team wins. They can be divided into game props, player props, and team props.

Soccer game props

Game props focus on whether an event will occur during a soccer match. Here are some common examples:

• Both teams to score: A simple bet on both teams to find the back of the net.
• Penalty in match: A yes/no bet on whether a penalty will be awarded in the game.
• Sending off in match: Bet on whether either team will have a player sent off.
• Highest scoring half: Predict which half will see the most goals.
• First goal method: Predict whether the first goal will be a shot, header, penalty, free kick, or own goal.

Both teams to score is a popular bet. Bettors sometimes will also combine it with over 2.5 goals to create a simple same-game parlay or combine with multiple wagers around soccer to create a traditional parlay bet. That is a useful betting option if you anticipate an open, entertaining game, but you are unsure which team will win.

Soccer player props

These bets focus on an individual player’s performance. Here are some of the options:

• Bet on a player to score first, last, or at any time in a game.
• Back a player to score two or more goals or to score a hat trick.
• Bet on a player to either score or to provide an assist.
• Wager on a player to score a header, to score a free kick, to score a penalty, to miss a penalty, or to score from outside the box.
• Bet on a player to get a yellow card or a red card.
• Wager on the first player to receive a card in a game.
• Bet over/under on how many shots on goal or shots on target a player will have, or over/under on how many assists a player will provide.

You’ll also see many other player props. However, the most likely options tend to be betting on a player to score at any time and betting on a player to receive a card. Most of the other betting options are long shots.

Soccer team props

These soccer betting options focus on one particular team. These are some of the team props to consider:

• To keep a clean sheet.
• To score or miss a penalty.
• To have more corners than the opposing team.
• To cover a corner handicap.
• To win the first corner or the last corner in a game.
• To have the most cards in a game.
• First team to score or last team to score.
• To win either half.
• To score in both halves.
• To score an own goal.
• Over/under on how many shots or shots on target a team will have.

Once again, you’ll also see a variety of additional team props. Most of them are novelty bets, but betting over/under on the number of shots a team will have can be a useful option.

Soccer future bets

These are long-term bets that run over the course of an entire season or tournament. They do not focus on the result of a single game. Here are some examples of futures betting options:

• France to win Euro 2024.
• Team USA to reach the Copa America semifinals.
• Kylian Mbappé to be the top scorer at the European Championship.
• Mexico to win its group at Copa America.
• The USMNT to be the top North American team at Copa America.
• Kevin De Bruyne to be named Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament.
• Group E to be the highest scoring group at the Euros.
• Costa Rica to finish bottom of Group D at Copa America.
• Canada to finish runner-up in Group A at Copa America

Sportsbooks will release odds on these futures before the tournament gets underway. They will then update the odds throughout the course of whatever you are betting on, reflecting how well each team or player is performing.

This can provide you with options to hedge your bets later on. For example, let’s say you bet $100 on France to win Euro 2024 at odds of +400. Les Bleus then make it through to the final, where they will play against Spain. If Spain has odds of +100 to lift the trophy, you could bet $350 on Spain. You would then be guaranteed to receive $150 in profit regardless of who wins.

How to bet on soccer

It is quick and easy to bet on soccer at leading online sportsbooks. Follow these steps to get started on how to bet:

1. Choose a legal online sportsbook. Every licensed, regulated online sportsbook takes bets on soccer and many offer soccer betting promos. Select one of our recommended sportsbooks and follow the link provided to visit your chosen site.

2. Know the rules. The legal sports betting age is 21 in most states, but you only need to be 18 or older in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Wyoming, and Kentucky (though many online books in Kentucky still impose a minimum age of 21). Make sure you are in a state where online sports wagering is legal and that you select a site that has a license from your state regulator.

3. Create an account. Open the registration form and provide your name, date of birth, phone number, email address, home address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Set up a password, accept the terms, and verify your account.

4. Fund your account. Click the “Deposit” button, select a payment method, and add funds to your account.

5. Browse the soccer leagues and tournaments. Choose “Soccer” from the sports on the main menu. Select one of the leagues and then pick a particular game or futures market. Click on any betting option that appeals to you.

6. Place your bet. Your pick will appear on your betting slip. Enter the amount you would like to risk, and it will inform you of the potential winnings if your bet wins. Click to place the bet.

7. Withdraw your winnings. If your pick is correct, you’ll receive a payout after the game. The funds will appear in your account balance, and you can withdraw them if you like. The best sportsbooks may offer same-day payouts via withdrawal options like Play+ and PayPal.

The best online sportsbooks will provide hundreds of betting options on a single soccer game. They fit into four broad categories: moneylines, spreads, totals, and props. You can also place futures bets, which focus on a team’s performance over an entire season or tournament.

Soccer betting strategies

• Game venue: Most games are contested on one team’s home field, but there are also neutral-site matches. Review each team’s performance in the applicable situation to help determine any potential advantages.
• Recent play: As with any other sport, current momentum can be a big factor in the performance of soccer teams. Take the time to review the results of recent matches to help determine their current state of play.
• Player status: The absence of a key player or two due to injury or suspension can impact the proceedings. Review the expected lineups for both sides to determine if they’ll be playing at full or limited capacity.
• Historical meetings: The results of the previous meetings between the two teams can provide clues on the style of play for the upcoming game. Some teams match up well with certain opponents and may struggle versus others.
• Line moves: Once sportsbooks release soccer betting lines, the numbers may move in response to betting volume or other developments. By tracking the movement, you can uncover changes in sentiment or other insights that you may have missed.

Soccer leagues and tournaments to bet on

The best sportsbooks take bets on hundreds of leagues and tournaments. For example, if you visit bet365, you can bet on everything from the Algeria Cup to the Tajikistan Vysshaya Liga. However, most of the action goes on a handful of prominent leagues and tournaments.

Premier League betting

The Premier League is the world’s most popular sports league, with a global TV audience of 3.2 billion people per season, according to Ernst & Young. It features the 20 best teams in England, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United. Nielsen figures show that the Premier League also recently overtook Liga MX to become the most popular soccer league among US viewers. There are hundreds of Premier League odds available to US users.

Champions League betting

The Champions League is Europe’s most prestigious club competition. The best teams from England, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, and the Netherlands battle it out for glory in the latter stages of the tournament each year. You will often find more betting options on Champions League games than on any other soccer matches. Champions League odds will be easy to find on any online sportsbook.

MLS betting

Major League Soccer has grown in popularity after attracting some of the world’s best players in recent years. Lionel Messi and Gareth Bale are among the international superstars who are playing out their careers in the United States, while the quality of the homegrown players continues to improve. Inter Miami leads the way in MLS futures odds. The league is divided into two conferences — east and the west — and the top teams from each conference qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs each year.

Betting on other European leagues

The other major European soccer leagues are La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy), Bundesliga (Germany), and Ligue 1 (France). Portugal’s Primeira Liga and the Netherlands’ Eredivisie are also pretty strong, and you can bet on dozens of other European leagues and cups, too. The Champions League is the continent’s premier club competition, but the Europa League and the Europa Conference League also generate betting interest.

World Cup betting

The World Cup takes place every four years. Only the best national teams from across the globe qualify for this tournament. They are divided into groups, and the top teams qualify for the knockout stage, which is a single elimination bracket until just two teams remain. More than 1.5 billion people watched Argentina beat France in the 2022 World Cup final. The 2026 World Cup will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Euros betting

The European Championship also takes place every four years. This tournament follows a similar format to the World Cup, but it is for European nations only. Germany, Italy, France, and Spain are among the most successful teams in the competition’s history. France currently leads Euro odds to win the tournament.

Copa America betting

Copa America always features 10 teams from South America, plus six invited teams from outside the continent. The teams compete in four groups, and the top two squads from each group advance to the quarterfinals. Argentina and Uruguay are the most successful teams in Copa America history. Argentina is the favorite amongst all Copa America odds to win this summer.

Soccer betting FAQ