How to Bet on Football Online – The Ultimate Guide

Football betting is one of the most popular forms of sports betting. With so many leagues, teams, and betting options available, learning how to bet on football online in a smart way can help you maximize your winnings. Understanding odds, football betting markets, and strategies is essential. Our ultimate guide will cover everything from different types of football bets to in-play and mobile football betting.

Big Football Bet Wins

Big wins from football bets are something we all dream about as a football bettor. There are many ways in which to win a large amount of money from a football bet, but almost all revolve around placing accumulator (acca) bets. You might see those bets referred to as Combo Bets or Parlay Bets. They are incredibly popular as punters seek a life-changing football bet win from a small stake. Here are some examples of football punters who have picked up huge wins over the years:

Mick Gibbs – £500,000 from a 30p Bet

In 2001, Mick Gibbs, a roofer from Staffordshire, placed a modest 30p bet on a 15-fold accumulator with staggering odds of 1.6 million to one. His selections spanned various matches and outright winners across the 2000-2001 season. The final leg depended on Bayern Munich clinching the Champions League title against Valencia. After a tense match that led to a penalty shootout, Bayern emerged victorious, securing Gibbs a £500,000 payout.

Adrian Hayward – £25,000 on a £200 Bet

In 2005, Liverpool supporter Adrian Hayward wagered £200 at odds of 125/1 that midfielder Xabi Alonso would score from his own half during the season. In an FA Cup match against Luton Town in January 2006, Alonso astonishingly scored from 70 yards, fulfilling Hayward’s prediction and earning him a £25,000 reward.

Anonymous Punter – £585,000 from an 80p Bet

An anonymous bettor from Malta placed an 80p accumulator bet with astronomical odds of 683,738/1. The wager included predicting the correct outcomes of 19 football matches. Against all expectations, each result came through, resulting in an extraordinary £585,000 win.

Daman Chick – £1 Million from a £5 Bet

In 2016, kitchen fitter Daman Chick placed a £5 bet on the Euro 2016 final, predicting that Portugal’s Eder would score the only goal in the 109th minute. Eder’s decisive goal against France in extra time matched Chick’s forecast precisely, leading to a £1 million payout. Remarkably, Chick was unaware of his win until three days later.

23-Leg Accumulator – £78,000 from a £20 Bet

A punter staked £20 on a 23-leg accumulator, betting on over 1.5 goals in 19 matches and goals in both halves in four matches across English, Italian, and Spanish leagues. The bet hinged on Sheffield Wednesday’s performance against West Brom. In the 93rd minute, Callum Paterson scored for Sheffield Wednesday, securing the necessary goal and resulting in a £78,000 win for the bettor.

Understanding Football Betting Odds

Odds determine how much you can win from a bet and reflect the probability of an event occurring. There are three primary types of odds:

• Fractional Odds (e.g., 5/1) – Common in the UK, they show how much profit you make relative to your stake.
• Decimal Odds (e.g., 6.00) – Popular in Europe and Australia, they show the total payout including your stake.
• Moneyline Odds (e.g., +500) – Used in the US, they indicate how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet.

Understanding odds helps you assess potential returns and find value bets that bookmakers may have miscalculated.

Popular Football Betting Markets

Match Result (1X2)

One of the most straightforward and popular football bets, the Match Result market involves predicting whether the home team (1) wins, the match ends in a draw (X), or the away team (2) wins. This bet type is widely available across all football competitions and is ideal for beginners.

Over/Under Goals

This market allows you to bet on the total number of goals scored in a match. For example, if you bet on Over 2.5 Goals, at least three goals must be scored for your bet to win. If you choose Under 2.5 Goals, the match must have two or fewer goals. This market is popular because it doesn’t require you to predict a winner, only the overall goal tally.

Both Teams to Score (BTTS)

In the BTTS market, you bet on whether both teams will score at least one goal in a match. If you select Yes, both teams must find the net for your bet to win. If you choose No, at least one team must fail to score. This bet is ideal for matches involving attacking teams but weak defenses.

Handicap Betting

Handicap betting adjusts the perceived strength of teams, making the odds more even. A team given a -1.5 handicap must win by at least two goals, while a +1.5 handicap means the team can lose by one goal or draw, and your bet still wins. This market is useful for matches with clear favorites.

Correct Score

Correct score betting involves predicting the exact final score of a match. While difficult to get right, this market offers high odds and lucrative payouts. To improve accuracy, bettors study past results, defensive records, and team strategies before making their predictions.

First Goalscorer / Anytime Goalscorer

This market lets you bet on a specific player to score the first goal, last goal, or at any point in the match. Betting on star strikers or players in good form increases your chances of winning.

Accumulator Bets (Parlays)

An accumulator bet (or parlay) combines multiple bets into one. To win, all selections must be correct, but the potential payout is significantly higher than a single bet. This type of betting is appealing to those looking to turn a small stake into a large return.

Major Football Competitions for Betting

Football betting is available across numerous prestigious leagues and tournaments. The most popular include the Premier League, Champions League, UEFA European Championship (Euros), and FIFA World Cup. Additionally, top European leagues like La Liga (Spain), Bundesliga (Germany), and Serie A (Italy) attract millions of bettors every week. South American leagues such as the Copa Libertadores, Brasileirão (Brazil), and Argentine Primera División (Argentina) also provide exciting betting opportunities. In North America, Major League Soccer (MLS) continues to grow, offering year-round football betting markets.

How to Place a Football Bet

Placing a football bet involves several steps:

1. Choose a Reliable Sportsbook – Select a trustworthy online bookmaker such as Bets.io with bonuses, competitive odds and multiple betting markets.
2. Sign Up and Deposit Funds – Create an account, verify your details, and deposit funds using a preferred payment method.
3. Select Your Bet and Stake – Choose a football match, select a betting market, enter your stake, and confirm the bet.
4. Monitor Your Bets – Track live scores, check statistics, and consider cash-out options if available.

Betting on Football In-Play

Live betting, or in-play betting, allows you to place wagers as the match unfolds. This dynamic form of betting lets you react to the game’s events in real time. Odds change constantly based on factors such as goals, red cards, and momentum shifts. Some popular in-play betting options include:

• Next Team to Score – Predict which team will score the next goal.
• Over/Under Goals – Adjust your bet on total goals based on live action.
• Match Winner – If a team starts slow, you may get better odds for backing them to win.

Successful in-play betting requires quick thinking and an understanding of football tactics.

How to Bet on Football on Mobile

With mobile technology, betting on football is more accessible than ever. Most sportsbooks offer mobile apps or responsive websites, allowing bettors to place wagers on the go. Features of mobile betting include:

• Live Streaming – Watch matches directly within the betting app.
• Push Notifications – Receive updates on bets, odds changes, and special promotions.
• Easy Cash-Out Options – Settle bets early to lock in profits or reduce losses.

Betting on mobile offers flexibility and convenience, ensuring you never miss a betting opportunity.

Football Betting Strategies for Success

Do Your Research

Analyzing team form, injuries, and head-to-head records can give you an edge when placing bets. Statistics and expert analysis help you make informed decisions rather than relying on luck.

Bankroll Management

Set a betting bankroll management plan and avoid staking too much on a single bet. Many experienced bettors use the 1-5% rule, where no more than 5% of their bankroll is placed on a single bet to minimize risk.

Focus on Value Bets

Look for betting odds where bookmakers have underestimated the probability of an event occurring. Finding value bets can increase your profitability over time.

Avoid Emotional Betting

Bet with your head, not your heart. Many bettors lose money by backing their favorite team regardless of the odds or statistics.

Consider Live Betting

In-play betting presents opportunities to capitalize on unexpected match developments. Watching games live allows you to spot trends and make well-timed bets.

Where to Bet on Football

It can be a confusing prospect when looking for where to bet on football. The Internet has many options and offers to tempt you with. However, it’s important to keep a cool head and keep responsible gambling in mind at all times. Next, we recommend you use a partner sportsbook on our site. We thoroughly check all our partners to ensure you’ll get the best offers, fast pay outs, and that you’ll have a safe betting experience.