Every hardcore football fan knows that nothing equals catching live action, blow by blow. The second best thing is to bet on your favourite matches in-play.
You get the best of both worlds, especially if you know how to read live football feelers and stats. Think on-pitch discipline, injuries, player subs, shots on goal, and so on. It helps that most bookmakers now offer live streams of pretty much all major sports games and events.
But betting live on football is no easy walk in the park. Things can change in a second. Unlike pre-match betting, the ball can hit the net any second. You need sound live football betting strategies in your corner, and we have sliced and diced the top 10 that work.
1. Do your pre-match homework
The best in-play bettors don’t just jump into live betting without any prep work. Before the match starts, check team news, recent form, and head-to-head history.
See when the teams put the most pressure, whether in the 1st or 2nd half. Some squads (think Liverpool) are slow starters but they finish with a bang. The other way can be true for some teams (think of clubs that can turn around the score, such as Man Utd).
Weather and pitch conditions are a no-brainer. The same goes for injuries and suspensions. How important is the match to either team? Is it a must-win game, a derby, or an end-of-season dead rubber?
2. Know which in-play stats matter
Some in-play numbers tell you far more about how a match might end than any others. Shots on target, for one, is a no-brainer stat. Even if the score is 0-0, it may mean that a goal will be scored soon. Bookings and fouls give you clues about the match pace.
Expected Goals (xG) has become a must-watch stat for any bettor. It is a not-so-distant cousin to corner counts. A lopsided flurry of corners often means one team is putting on their A-game.
3. Bet on the right in-play markets
Picking the right market is half the battle here.
The Next Goal Scorer and Next Team to Score are superb when a player or team has had many near misses and shots on goal. Over/Under Goals works well when you can sense the game has opened up.
Both Teams to Score makes sense when the two sides look dangerous going forward, but shaky at the back. Even better if one team has already scored and the other is pushing hard for an equaliser.
Asian Handicap markets come into their own during in-play. If the favourite goes 1-0 up early but isn’t looking convincing, backing the weaker team with a +1.5 handicap can be smart.
4. Test your in-play football strategies & tactics first
They say practice makes perfect. But perfect is a little fancier for betting, so let’s settle with testing your tactics, and this is true across the board. Poker pros, for instance, often join charity events to see if their bluffing skills still cut the mustard, while smart slot players can check the slots sites and find the right one according to their personal preferences.
The same applies to in-play football betting. You can create your practice bet slips by adding selections that fit your strategy, then take screenshots.
If your bet slip lands, your tactics are on the right track. You can tweak your strategies if any of the legs do not land.
5. Make good use of new customer offers
Football takes the very top seat when you think of popular sports that get lots of betting action. That’s why bookies offer plenty of free bets, features, and promos for football bettors.
Of course, your first port of call should be new customer offers. These often give you free bets after your first deposit, perfect for testing your in-play strategies on the house.
6. Take advantage of handy in-play betting tools
Bet calculators help you work out payouts and compare the value of different bets. When things are moving fast during a match, having these sums done saves your precious time.
Live score apps keep you up to date with what’s happening across multiple matches. Other useful tools include the cash-out feature, live streaming, and even price rush trackers.
7. Discipline and self-control are everything
Set a budget before you start, stick to it, and avoid chasing losses. Just because you’ve lost a few bets doesn’t mean the next one will win.
Stake sizing matters too. Many pros never bet more than 5% of their balance on a single bet. This stops one bad run from wiping out your funds. It also pays to keep emotions in check.
8. React fast to changes on the pitch
Some bookies take a while to drop or tick up their odds when things change on the ground. It pays to swoop on these opportunities to make the most of our football bets.
9. Lay the draw strategy
This is a favourite tactic among in-play bettors, especially for matches where goals are bound to come.
The basic idea is simple. You lay (bet against) the draw on betting exchanges when the match is goalless.
If either team scores, the odds on the draw will go up, and you can then back the draw at higher odds to guarantee a profit regardless of the final result.
10. Follow momentum swings
Football matches have natural ebbs and flows. Learn to spot when momentum shifts from one team to another.
Watch for teams that start to pin their opponents back in their half. This sustained pressure often leads to chances and eventually goals. The stats might show this through a run of corners or shots.