Over-Under Goals Betting Tips And Predictions
A guide to the total goals market, including over-under betting tips, strategy and predictions for today’s matches
By James McMath
If you’re eager to start betting on the over/under betting market, then we hope this guide teaches you all you need to know.
We’ll discuss what the market entails, why people bet on it, along with some of our best over/under tips and total goals tips.
Without further ado, let’s discuss over/under bets in more detail - starting with what they are.
What Is Over-Under Goals Betting?
Even novice football bettors are familiar with the over/under goals market, and they are among the first betting markets you’re likely to come across.
The market involves the punter guessing whether a game of football will see either over or under the amount of goals determined by the bookmaker. If you guess correctly, then you will win the bet.
The most popular goal margin offered by bookmakers is 2.5 - as this is how many goals are scored in a game on average. However, we all know how unpredictable football can be, and there are occasions where either no goals are scored, or several are. You can also bet on the total amount of goals during a game, though this market is more risky.
Much like with correct score predictions, the over-under goals market is popular due to its potential for large returns and its excitement value. It can be very entertaining to become immersed in a match and hope for an extra goal to be scored. However, punters should have an at-least intermediate knowledge of the game before choosing this betting market.
Where To Use An Over/Under Bet
Most punters opt for over/under bets when there is a mismatch in quality of the teams playing. Such fixtures are likely to provide goals, and conventional bets (match bets) on them won’t produce very good odds.
The gulf in quality between the two sides will be music to an over/under bettor’s ears, as they’ll have a greater chance of their bets being successful if they bet over a certain amount of goals.
Over/Under Goals Betting Tips
There are several things to keep in mind before you start betting on the over/under goals market. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Consider The Teams
For every team playing vibrant, expansive football, there are several others who can’t seem to find the back of the net if they tried. When betting on over/unders, it’s vital to consider the style of play of the teams in question.
A scrappy game between two defensive teams would be unlikely to generate much in the way of goals, or even big chances. However, a matchup between two high-pressing, attacking sides will likely see at least a few goals by either side.
Teams and styles of play are among the biggest things to consider before making an over/under bet. Head-To-Head Records
Some fixtures generate more goals than others, and it’s essential that you look at the recent head-to-head meetings of the teams prior to betting.
Fixtures which are not that exciting on paper can, upon further research, end up being highly entertaining, goal-laden games. On the other hand, so-called ‘big’ games can end up being highly disappointing from a goals perspective.
We’ve all watched a football match between two top sides only to be disappointed with the lack of goalscoring action. When two top teams face each other, it can be easy for them to cancel eachother out and focus on playing safely rather than to win the match.
Consider The Occasion
Sometimes the best strategy in football is to go gung-ho and see who comes out on top at the end. In games with high stakes, this is especially true.
If promotion, relegation, or a trophy is at stake, then there’s every chance that a game will conjure up plenty of goals. Conversely, the two teams could opt to shore up their defences and aim to keep a clean sheet.
Big occasions can have opposite effects on the goalscoring prospects of a particular game, so keep this in mind prior to betting.
Look At Recent Form
Some elite teams can go several games without conceding a goal, making the over/under betting market an easier one to predict. Chelsea, for example, once conceded just 15 goals in a season. If you were betting then, you’d have been able to predict that the majority of their games would’ve been under 2.5 goals. Swindon Town, on the other hand, conceded 100 goals in their lone Premier League campaign, averaging well over 2.5 goals per game.
Recent form, both home and away, is an essential component of the research process. If there’s a striker in red-hot form, then it makes sense to back them and bet that their team will score over 2.5 goals.
Remember The Intangibles
Factors like weather, fixture congestion, and team news can have a radical impact on how a game unfolds. Rainy weather can slow down play, congestion can cause teams to play more conservatively, and absences of key players can turn a team from goal scoring monsters into a defensive wall.
Intangibles play a huge part in football, so make sure you consider these prior to betting.
Over-Under Goals Predictions Summary
The over-under betting market is one of football’s most popular and enduring for a reason. Not only are these bets exciting, but they’re also great at making a previously-predictable game that much more exciting.
Sportsbooks will typically offer the number 2.5 for you to bet over or under, though this can change depending on the bookmaker and the game in question. Before making your bet, it’s vital to consider the teams, occasion, and the intangibles.
We hope this guide has taught you all you need to know about over-under football bets and that you’re now in a much better position to explore this market further. If you’re successful in this market, then odds can be generous and you’ll be well on your way to furthering your football betting knowledge even further.
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