Which are the Top Soccer Leagues?
The world’s biggest club soccer leagues are usually in Europe, South America, and Mexico.
Europe has the biggest leagues on the planet, thanks to the presence of the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, among others. And the best clubs from Europe’s top leagues regularly meet in the biggest club competition in the world of soccer: the UEFA Champions League.
In the United States, the MLS is the main soccer tournament, which features teams from throughout the United States and Canada.
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How Does Soccer Betting Work?
Soccer betting is any way in which you place a bet on anything related to this sport. While there are so many soccer leagues around the world, there are tons of markets with soccer odds available for a lot of matches, much more than you are used to see when betting on leagues like the NFL or NBA.
This is very important when you’re learning how to bet on soccer.
Soccer Moneyline
- The simplest bet.
- You pick which team will win the game outright.
- Favorites have negative odds (e.g., -150), meaning you wager more to win $100.
- Underdogs have positive odds (e.g., +120), meaning a $100 bet returns more than $100.
HcP (Soccer Betting Handicaps)
- Similar to the spread in basketball, these “handicaps” are the stronger team.
- Favorites must win by more than a set number of goals (e.g., -1.5).
- Underdogs can win outright or lose by less than the set amount (e.g., +1.5).
Soccer Total (Over/Under)
- This predicts the total number of goals scored by both teams combined.
- You wager on whether the final score will be higher (Over) or lower (Under) than the set number (e.g., Over 5.5 goals).
In soccer betting, the most common types of soccer picks are single-game markets like the over/under, moneyline and HcP markets we already talked about. Even though, there are other markets like the prop bets, futures, and parlays.
Props and Special Bets for Soccer
Prop bets focus on specific events and small details within a game, not just the overall winner or score. Here are some examples:
- Player Props: Will a specific player score a goal, get an assist, or record penalty minutes?
- Team Props: How many power-play goals will a team score? Will a team score in the first period?
- Game Props: Will there be a fight in the game? Will a certain period be the highest scoring?
- Parlays: Combining multiple bets into one wager. All your picks need to win for the parlay to payout, but the potential return is much higher than individual bets.
- Futures: Betting on long-term outcomes that usually last for entire seasons, like which team will win the FIFA World Cup, which team will get relegated in the Bundesliga, or who will win individual player awards. The most famous futures wager of all time was on Leicester City to win the Premier League at 5,000/1 odds, which they did in the 2015-2016 season.
These markets are great for those who have an in-depth knowledge of one league or another and can pinpoint where the value is in betting on that league’s futures.
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Understanding Soccer Betting Statistics & Trends
In soccer betting, there are some stats that, besides being interesting, are important to make the best decisions at pick time.
Even when soccer betting statistics aren’t quite as elaborate as they are in sports like baseball and basketball, stats are still an important part of your experience.
These statistics in particular are worth thinking about when getting ready to bet on the beautiful game. Stats can show some soccer betting trends that are often discussed as a reason for betting on one team over another. These are some useful stats and trends:
Team Records
- Straight win-draw-loss record (W-D-L)
- Winning percentage (%)
- Record against the spread (ATS)
Offensive/Defensive Stats
- Goals for per game (GF/G)
- Shots on goal per game (SOG/G)
- Goals against per game (GA/G)
Total Goals Scored
- Average goals scored per game by both teams combined (combined GF/G)
- How many goals have recent games between these teams featured?
Injuries & Suspensions
- Are any key players injured?
- Always check for statistics related to soccer injuries
Home Field Advantage
- Soccer teams usually perform better on their home field.
- This factor is important when you bet on the handicaps, with home-favored teams needing to win by more to cover.
Underdog at Home
- Taking the underdog on the handicaps when they’re playing at home is a popular trend.
- Stats suggest that underdogs in this situation have a higher win percentage against the spread.
Public Betting Fade
- Some people fade the public by betting on the opposite side of lopsided betting percentages.
- The logic is that the oddsmakers have likely adjusted the lines to account for public bias, potentially creating value on the less popular pick.
You may also like
- How to Bet on FIFA World Cup Futures Odds
- Premier League Schedule
- Major League Soccer News
- La Liga Teams
- Champions League Betting Guide
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Soccer Betting FAQs
It is legal to bet on soccer in many states across America. Some states allow for online or in-person wagering, as the number of states with legal sports gambling continues to increase.
Different states allow different sportsbooks to be used legally to bet on soccer. Bettors should familiarize themselves with their state laws and what books are available to them.
There is no soccer betting site that is definitely the best for everyone. Instead, bettors can choose which bookmakers best meet their individual needs to figure out which one is best for them.
Bettors can wager on major leagues like La Liga, the Premier League and Serie A, or can bet on obscure club soccer competitions in countries like Belarus. Different sportsbooks will carry different markets, so be sure to check for the best fit.
The best soccer league to bet on depends on the interests of each bettor. Many bettors will prefer the marquee competitions like the Premier League and Champions League, but it all depends on personal preference.
The moneyline is a market where bettors are wagering on which team will win a particular match in soccer. It is also possible for bettors to wager on a draw to take place between the two teams.
Over/under bets are when bettors can wager on whether the amount of goals scored in a soccer match will be over or under the amount set by the bookmaker.
AGS stands for anytime goalscorer, which is a type of prop bet that can be placed on a soccer game. Bettors can wager on individual players to score anytime in their match with this market.
Yes, live betting is available for many soccer matches around the world. Sportsbooks have really increased the number of leagues and matches available for live betting in this sport.