Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, but what surprises many gamblers is that soccer has a massive wagering market that rivals the National Football League wagering market.

In fact, outside of the U.S., soccer draws significantly more wagering action than any other sport – and it does so by a wide margin.

Some of the biggest pros and smartest sharps make a living betting on soccer. If you want to learn how to bet on soccer like a sharp, it's smart to consult a soccer betting guide.

What Makes Soccer Betting Different

Soccer betting differs from most sports because scoring is low, so each goal is crucial. Games often finish 1-0 or 0-0, making recent team form and injuries especially important.

Key factors to watch: 

• Recent team form
• Key player injuries
• 90-minute matches with no visible clock
• Overlapping leagues and tournaments

Types of Soccer Bets

You should have a basic understanding of the numerous soccer wager options. These options include: 

• Moneyline 3-way bet
• Draw no bet (DNB)
• Over/Under (Totals) betting
• Both teams to score (BTTS)
• Asian handicap betting
• Soccer prop bets
• Futures betting in soccer
• Live soccer betting

Moneyline (3-Way) Betting

The moneyline is the simplest and most basic soccer bet. A gambler picks the winner of the match and lays money on the favorite or takes money on the underdog.

3-way betting options: 

The most common moneyline bet is known as 3-way betting. In 3-way betting, gamblers can bet on the favorite, the underdog, or the game to be a draw.

If a team is a prohibitive favorite, they will often be listed at minus money (such as -200 to win $100) with a draw as the second choice, and then the opponent gets more plus-money (such as $100 to win $200) as the heavy underdog.

Draw No Bet (DNB)

Because soccer is such a low-scoring sport, there is a distinct possibility that games will end in a draw; however, you can bet on games without considering a potential draw.

DNB summary: 

• Bet on either team at reduced payouts
• If the game ends in a draw, your stake is returned
• You can lay odds on the favorite or take odds on the underdog without worrying about a draw

Soccer betting guides always encourage DNBs because, if the game ends in a draw, bettors will get their money back instead of losing it entirely.

Over/Under (Totals) Betting

If you bet on other sports, you may already understand over/under bets. Also known as totals, over/unders should be a familiar wager.

The difference is that the totals in soccer are much lower than in other sports.

Typical soccer totals: 

• Most matches: 1.5 – 2.5 goals
• Comparison: NHL averages ~6 goals per game

Thus, you will usually see totals ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 goals for a soccer match.

Both Teams to Score (BTTS)

When learning how to bet on soccer, you should familiarize yourself with the BTTS wagering option.

How BTTS works:

• Yes → Both teams score at least one goal
• No → One or both teams do not score

Examples: 

• England 2–1 Poland → Yes wins
• England 2–0 Poland → No wins
• England 2–2 Poland → Yes wins

This betting option is popular for gamblers who don’t want to pick the winner of a match but have a strong opinion on whether both teams can score or prevent goals.

Asian Handicap Betting

One of the most interesting and complex bet types to learn from a guide to betting on soccer is the Asian handicap.

With the Asian handicap, gamblers have the option to bet on fractional odds rather than whole numbers. In Asian handicap betting, fractional increments of 0.25 and 0.75 bridge the gap between two lines that otherwise could cost significant vig.

Example: 

• England -1.75 → Bet wins if England wins by 2+ goals
• England -1.5 → Bet wins if England wins by 2+ goals, loses if they win by 1

Asian handicap betting is like splitting your bet between two spreads — similar to the puck line in hockey or run line in baseball.

Soccer Prop Bets

Prop betting in soccer can be very simple or extremely complicated.

You can bet on: 

• Player props → who will score, assist, etc.
• Team props → total corners, cards, shots on goal
• Match props → number of cards, shots, type of goal
• Season props → who will win the Golden Boot, league stats

Futures Betting in Soccer

Futures wagering allows bets on long-term outcomes: 

• League champions
• World Cup winners
• Player season awards

Both team and individual player futures are available, often years in advance.

Live Soccer Betting

Live betting allows wagers while the game is in progress: 

• Match result
• Next team to score
• Both teams to score
• Individual scorers
• Cards or penalties

Odds change constantly, so strategy focuses on finding value at the right time.

Bankroll Management for Soccer Betting

Key principles: 

• Never bet too much on a single game
• Use conservative money management (1–3% per bet)
• Consider volume — soccer matches are almost daily

Key Factors in Soccer Betting

When preparing a wager, consider: 

• Team form
• Injuries
• Lineup rotation
• Motivation
• Match importance
• Home/away performance

Oddsmakers anticipate public perception, so understanding these factors is crucial.