A Guide to In-Play Betting on Football

| 29.02.16 | 0 Comments

In-play betting has become one of the most popular forms of sports betting. There’s an added thrill to watching a match and being able to place a bet on what team is going to score next, or which player is going to be sent off, or just whatever your gut feeling tells you, all while the match is still being played.

Many football betting sites offer in-play betting.

Football is a globally loved game, it’s exciting, it’s unpredictable and it’s full of upsets.

Anything can happen in football. One silly foul can turn the game on its head. This unpredictability has sprouted a new way of placing bets, in-play betting brings you closer to the game and gives you a real buzz, making you feel closer to the action.

Placing a wager on a live match

Most top tier football matches will be goalless at halftime, this could be down to the quality of goalkeepers, fitness levels, or for whatever reason. This will give bettors a chance to make a little money when it comes to betting in-play.

The odds on specific markets will change at half time if the match is still goalless. In fact, the odds on all markets are constantly changing when the game is in-play.

This will be due to cards shown, subs, possession, shots on goal, injuries and other factors that can change the dynamics of the game.

When the odds change

As the game goes on the odds will shorten for the game to result in a draw, so this bet won’t be a very profitable one.

The longer the games goes on the better the odds for one team to win, so you’ll get much better odds than you would if you placed a bet before kick-off.

If you feel like one team is going to snatch the win with only 10-20 minutes left, that’s when you put your money where your mouth is.

Back up your bet with research

If one team has a reputation for scoring goals in the last 15 minutes by piling on the pressure, then take advantage of the increased odds through in-play betting. How many match winning goals did Manchester United net during the infamous ‘Fergie time’ when Sir Alex Ferguson was manager? You can utilise the statistics sites on the internet and find out which teams are late goal scorers, or which players are prone to a card or two.

More about in-play wagering

The winning probability increases with in-play bets as you can watch the match broadcast live allowing you to see which team or player is looking likely to score or get sent off. You’ll also notice if a player is off-form or if the whole team is having a bad day – something you wouldn’t know of if you committed to your bets before the ball has been kicked.

Not only does it increase winning chances, it gives you an added level of excitement and passion – especially if you’re backing your favourite team or player.

If you want to give in-play betting a try, you can get started with one of our Top 5 Football Betting Sites. We only recommend reputable sportsbooks with competitive odds and a good range of betting markets.