How to bet on soccer. Your complete guide, from total goals markets, to soccer betting props, to soccer futures betting.
In the United States, the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL are the “Big 4” of professional sports. However, soccer—also known as football internationally—is perhaps the most popular sport in the world.
With so much attention on these other sports, betting on soccer may not be something that you’re familiar with, despite online sports betting becoming legal in 2018.
Here, we will go over a general guide on how to bet on soccer, the most popular soccer betting types, and what leagues and levels of professionalism are available.
Popular Soccer Betting Types
Three-Way Moneyline
For those who usually wager on sports like the NFL, you may be confused about how you’d bet on a moneyline in three ways.
A draw is pretty standard in soccer, marking the third moneyline selection. So, you can bet on the home team, the draw, or the away team to win.
Here’s an example:
- FC Cincinnati: +125
- Draw: +255
- ORL City SC: +190
Two-Way Moneyline
This one is simple: You can only bet on the teams.
However, the odds are not the same as the three-way moneyline.
Using the example prior with FC Cincinnati and ORL City SC, here are the lines for the two-way moneyline bets:
- FC Cincinnati: -145
- ORL City SC: +120
In the event the match ends in a draw, these will typically be counted as “no bets.”
Total Goals
With the total goals bets, you’ll be given multiple options for the over/under as opposed to the lone totals given in the more popular United States sports.
Also, for this bet, the goals only apply to regular play time, and any additional scoring after that will not count.
Let’s use Orlando and Cincinnati as examples again:
Over
- 0.5: -6000
- 1.5: -475
- 2.5: -145
- 3.5: +175
- 4.5: +400
- 5.5: +850
Under
- 0.5: +1200
- 1.5: +350
- 2.5: +115
- 3.5: -220
- 4.5: -575
- 5.5: -1800
Soccer Spread Betting
If you’re looking to bet the spread in soccer, the same rules apply here as with any other sport. But, like betting totals, there will be multiple options for spreads. Each team will receive upward of five different spread options.
FC Cincinnati
- -2.5: +850
- -1.5: +350
- -0.5: +125
- 0.5: -240
- 1.5: -800
ORL
- 2.5: -1800
- 1.5: -475
- 0.5: -155
- -0.5: +190
- -1.5: +500
Props Betting
No matter what sport you like to bet on, props are always some of the most fun you can have. For those unfamiliar with props, these are micro-events within a game.
Some examples of soccer betting props include:
- First Scorer
- Las Scorer
- Anytime Scorer
- Score First or Last
- Score 2 or More Goals
- Score 3 or More Goals
- Score In Both Halves
- Score Outside the Box
- Score a Header
- Shots on Target
- Assists
- Team to Score 1st
- Both Teams to Score
- Correct Score
- Total Goals Even or Odd
- Winning Margin
- And More!
Live Soccer Betting
Perhaps the most exciting way to wager on soccer you can participate in live betting. If you aren’t familiar with how to bet on soccer, then you’re in for a treat.
At most online sportsbooks, there will be a page dedicated to this in which you can follow along on some kind of Gamecast. Or, at sites like BetMGM and bet365, you can even watch it via live stream. Live betting is also referred to as in-play soccer betting by some.
The odds for games update as the game progresses. However, with soccer being limited scoring, the odds changes are not as rapid as, say, the NBA or NFL.
Futures Betting
With so many leagues and markets, there will always be different ways to bet on soccer, but with Futures, the bets are more or less the same—the championship winner.
In the MLS, you can bet on that and the Western and Eastern Conference Champion and Top Goal Scorer. In other soccer leagues, you can bet on things like teams to be relegated or players to be top goalscorer.
Soccer Leagues to Bet On
The go-to league to bet on here in the United States will be Major League Soccer (MLS).
Still, you’ll find that the soccer category at any online sportsbook in the United States is flooded with different leagues and markets to wager on. For example, there are 47 different soccer markets to bet on.
In addition to the MLS – which has grown wildly popular in metro markets like Seattle, Columbus, and New York, some of the other markets include:
- Countries from around the world
- Champions League
- UEFA Super Cup
- UEFA Nations League
- UEFA Women’s Euro 2022
- USL Championship
- World Cup 2022
For 2022 specifically, this year just happens to be a year in which the World Cup will be taking place. This opens up an almost never-ending number of bet types to choose from. Could the USA actually win it?!
What is the Best Sportsbook to Bet on Soccer?
DraftKings Sportsbook
Pros
- 47 soccer betting markets
- Excellent mobile app
- Massive props library
- Daily fantasy sports available for soccer
Cons
- Welcome bonus worse than competitors due to “Bet & Get” nature.
DraftKings Sportsbook DEPOSIT BONUS
BetMGM Sportsbook
Pros
- Over 50 betting markets
- Excellent mobile app
- Available in over 15 states and jurisdictions
- Live streaming
- $1,000 risk-free welcome offer
Cons
- Fewer props than competitors
BetMGM Sportsbook FIRST BET OFFER
PointsBet Sportsbook
Pros
- PointsBetting feature
- Two welcome bonuses
- Excellent futures offers
Cons
- Fewer markets available
PointsBet Sportsbook SECOND CHANCE
FanDuel Sportsbook
Pros
- Plenty of markets to bet on
- $1,000 risk-free welcome bonus
- Numerous existing player promotions
- Elite mobile app
- Daily fantasy sports available for soccer
Cons
- Many markets to choose from, but not more than competitors
FanDuel Sportsbook SPECIAL OFFER
So, that’s your scoop on how to bet on soccer and the best online sportsbooks to try. Good luck with your soccer betting journey – and keep following our blog for more education!
