The World Cup celebrates one of the world’s most popular team sports, soccer. Across the country, sports fans are discussing how good the national team would have been if some of America’s best athletes had chosen to play soccer over basketball or football. You should start researching and learning how to bet on soccer now that it’s back!
Sports gamblers are still excited about this huge event even though the US might not be one of the most fancied teams in the tournament. Here’s a list of things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of placing a bet during the World Cup to ensure you get the best World Cup odds available.
Do Your Research
The average weekend sports gambler often overlooks this tip because it isn’t fancy. The rosters, health, strategy, and momentum of every team are bound to change in an event that only takes place every four years. Four years is a very long time in soccer, and there’s no guarantee that 2018 World Cup winners France will be able to repeat their momentous feat. Be sure to check out reports of each squad’s performance in recent qualifying matches to see who the main movers and shakers are this time around. It’s also a good idea to read up on the opinions of experts from each country, as even the most fanatical of soccer fans can’t hope to know everything about all 32 teams.
Understand the format
While the “one-and-done” style of the NCAA Basketball Tournament may generate more drama for bettors at online sportsbooks, don’t overlook the World Cup’s betting format. If you’re unfamiliar with how things work, here’s how you can prepare yourself for the main event. It’s never too early to start developing a strategy for this huge occasion.
In the group stage, 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four. The top two teams in each group then move on to the Round of 16, the knockout round. It’s important to note that the strategies employed in the group stage differ from those used in the Round of 16 and onward.
Of particular significance, goal difference is utilized as a tie-breaking metric if it becomes necessary to determine the top two teams within a given group in the Round of 16. Therefore, teams frequently try to score as many goals in their first three games as possible. This has an impact on your betting strategy, especially if you’re betting on the overall number of goals in a game.
The draw
Unlike NFL or college football games, for example, soccer games often end in a tie (known as a draw). Just ask Ted Lasso! This process might seem strange to Americans, who are used to traditional sports outcomes, but in soccer, you can bet on, and subsequently, root for, draws. Another issue to consider is the potential of a drawn game: what happens to a parlay wager if the game ends in a draw? The answer solely relies on which book you utilize to place your bets.
In some places, if one game in your parlay is a draw, it’s considered a push. Some people think of sports betting as a loss because you have to win every bet to receive money. Some bookies will allow you to win in the event of a draw, so it’s not the end of the world if that happens. Just be sure to do your research on how your particular book handles bets when there’s no clear winner.
Choose your bets wisely
Although you might be familiar with the basics of sports betting, bets placed on soccer games tend to differ from those in other sports. For example, people often place a futures bet on who will win the World Cup. Just as in basketball or football, soccer games also have goal spreads. However, things become more exciting when low-scoring matches are involved.
In this case, we can choose between over/under bets. There are also over/under lines that are commonly wagered on during a game. These lines usually hover between 2.5 and 3 total goals. For these types of bets, when making your selection, consider the past history between the two teams, the weather, and what is required of each team to advance in the tournament.
Prop bets
When it comes to prop bets, there’s one for every outcome. Prop bets can bring some exciting in-game action without needing a scoreboard if the beautiful game alone cannot keep you entertained. Props include betting on the first yellow card for a team (or even individual), or the first goal or assist by a player. You can find some extremely bizarre World Cup prop bets out there, which are always worth checking out.
Find the value
Although soccer betting is not exclusively about finding value, the game’s low scoring is an important factor. In a 100-point basketball game, an uncommon play or two might not decide the outcome. The odds are heavily favored in one direction, so perhaps taking a chance on the underdog makes sense. The most effective way to gain an advantage is to research specific matchups. The money lines on sports bets do not reflect the probability of the outcome, which is critical to keep in mind.
To achieve a near-even split, oddsmakers want to pick a number that leaves them with a choice of where to place their money. In terms of risk versus reward, some games give you a slight edge if you do your research.
