How to Bet on Football: Complete Guide & Football Betting Strategies in 2026

Best Bookmakers for Betting on Football

Before you get started with betting on football, you should always use one of the best bookmakers available. UK punters can be spoiled for choice, as many offer comprehensive markets and bet types, all with competitive odds.

Flashscore’s list of recommended betting sites can be trusted for all the top football betting experiences.

Football Betting Terminology Explained

Gambling can feature terminology that can make it difficult for beginners to understand how to bet on football.

Common terms include:

• Accumulator/ACCA: A bet combining multiple selections, all must win for the bet to payout.
• Asian Handicap (AH): A handicap betting system popular in football, eliminating the draw as an outcome.
• Double Chance: A market where you cover two possible results (win or draw, draw or lose, win or lose) in one bet.
• Correct Score (CS): A wager predicting the exact final score of the match.
• Handicap: Involves “giving” a team a virtual deficit or advantage to even the field, e.g., -1, +2 goals.
• Over/Under: Betting on whether a specific metric (goals, corners, cards) will be over or under a set number (e.g., over 2.5 goals).
• Favourite: The selection most likely to win, lowest odds.
• Underdog: The less favoured team, longer odds.
• Futures: Bets on events to be decided later (league winner, cup winner, etc.).
• Double (Treble/Fourfold): Multiple bet types where two (double), three (treble), or four (fourfold) selections must win.

It’s also possible to encounter many abbreviations:

• 1: Home win in a 1X2 market.
• X: Draw in the 1X2 market.
• 2: Away win in the 1X2 market.
• BTTS: Both Teams To Score (YES/NO) – wager on whether both teams will score at least one goal.
• DNB: Draw No Bet – choose a team to win; if the game draws, your stake is refunded.
• EVS (Evens): Even money odds, meaning the potential winnings equal the stake (decimal 2.00, fractional 1/1).
• O/U: Over/Under – commonly shown as O1.5 (over 1.5 goals), U2.5 (under 2.5 goals), etc.; can be shown as +/-.

Types of Football Bets

Football betting is widely enjoyed by UK bettors due to the availability of various bets. These can include:

• Outright: Betting on the match result (usually within 90 minutes).
• Handicaps and spreads: One team starts with a virtual advantage or disadvantage to level the playing field. For example, a -1 handicap on a favourite means they must win by two or more goals for the bet to win.
• Over/Under: Wagering on whether total goals (or other stats like corners/cards) will be over or under a set number, e.g., over 2.5 goals.
• Accumulators, parlays, and multiples: Making multiple selections within one bet. Different terms exist for each.
• Each Way: Two bets – one for a win and one for a place (e.g., finishing in top 3).
• Double Chance: Covers two of three potential match outcomes in one bet – e.g., home win or draw; draw or away win; home win or away win.
• Draw No Bet (DNB): Bet on a team to win; if the match draws, the stake is refunded.
• Prop Bets: Bets that focus on specific events within a game, like who scores first, number of corners, cards, or goals by a player.
• Bet Builder/Custom Bets: Allows creating personalised bets by combining multiple markets (e.g., first scorer + total goals + corners) in one wager.
• Special Bets: Non-match events such as player transfers, managerial changes, seasonal top scorer, or other football-related off-field events.

How to Read and Understand Football Odds

Football betting requires bettors to understand odds and how they are presented. Typically offered in fractional form, they can appear as decimals. The latter may make odds easier to interpret, as the stake is simply multiplied by this number to determine the potential return.

Odds are set by bookmakers using sophisticated mathematical algorithms and systems. They determine the probability of an event occurring before using implied probability to set the odds. Once the odds have been set, the market is continually monitored for potential adjustments.

Football Betting Strategies that Work

A football betting strategy should be implemented whenever wagering on matches. Bettors should consider the following things:

Pre-match (Pre-game) Strategies

When making football bets, it’s highly advisable that bettors take a look at many of the aspects that can influence a game before it even kicks off.

Research should be conducted on the latest news that can impact a team’s performance, such as injury updates and suspensions, potential transfer interest that may sway a player and affect their performance, or the impact of weather conditions.

It’s also recommended to review recent form and head-to-head matchups. Does one team play better when they are at home/away? What’s the history like between them? Is there value in picking one over the other?

Say Manchester City are playing Burnley at home and the odds heavily favour City because of their recent record, it’s unlikely that the visitors will win. Still, consider City have a positive goal-scoring record at the Etihad. There could be value in picking them to win on the handicap or covering a goal-specific market (such as Over/Under).

Knowing the ins and outs of a league can be extremely advantageous when making football bets. Having a full understanding of how a campaign typically unfolds, or the potential banana-skin-like matches that exist, can help punters make better pre-match betting strategies and decisions.

In-Play (Live) Betting Strategies

In-play football betting is one of the most popular ways for British punters to engage in sports betting. However, they must ensure they know what they are looking for and how to conduct this activity properly if they are to enjoy a positive session; if not, it can be a potentially dangerous slope.

The best in-play betting decisions are typically made when specific strategies are adopted. For instance, bettors should use the pre-match research that was completed to help them potentially identify trends that can assist in making specific bets.

Using our example above, research may have shown that Man City start slowly and Burnley keep things tight defensively in the first half. However, they open up in the second, and City find their edge. Erling Haaland may grow into the game as it goes on, finding the back of the net in the second half more so than the first.

Punters can adopt live betting strategies tailored to this trend. Bettors can use real-time statistics, including attempts on goal and shots on target, as the game progresses, to consider whether this fixture conforms to previous trends observed. This strategy can also be helpful for other types of bets, including goal totals (Over/Under), whether a player will receive a card, or total corners, etc.

A lot can happen in a match, with no two fixtures the same. In-play betting also requires bettors to recognise real-time trends that shape how the match is played out. Is Man City pushing on for a goal? Are Burnley sitting deeper than usual? Is attacking football being played?

If a pattern occurs over a small snippet of a game, bettors would be wise to consider these and how they can influence the outcome of a bet.

Accumulator Strategies

Accumulators, often referred to as ‘Accas’, are a popular bet type in the UK for football betting. They combine several bets together, enhancing the possible returns for those that are successful. An acca is one of the hardest bets to land, as it requires four or more outcomes to be correct.

Football fans often involve themselves in some of the biggest games of the day, pairing them with a few smaller matches across multiple leagues to maximise their win rewards. For example, they may select one or two teams from the Premier League, but then include fixtures from the Championship, League One, League Two, and so on. Some may even include fixtures from overseas.

Using teams from abroad or in lower divisions can often produce value, as odds aren’t always priced accurately. Bookies may not have the same amount of data they have available to them for the top leagues, leaving potential value on the table for bettors.

When making an accumulator bet, it’s recommended to follow specific betting strategies. Using pre-game research is vital, as this can help highlight the probability of a specific outcome. Additionally, only combine a handful of matches together to keep things simpler. It’s also advisable for bettors to only focus on leagues they have knowledge of to maximise win potential.

A punter may know everything about the Premier League because it’s accessible each week on TV; they may not know anything about football played abroad or in the lower leagues. Just because a team appears to be playing well doesn’t mean they won’t encounter a problem or win every game.

Most UK sportsbooks offer ‘acca insurance’ bonuses; these can be beneficial, as they can protect a punter if they have just one leg of the accumulator that fails them. Their stake will be returned, protecting them from a complete loss. It’s advisable to use this promotion if available. Imagine being let down by Man City because Burnley pulled off the surprise result, and it being the only one not to come in?!

Still, it’s why so many football bettors enjoy this bet type. The risk versus reward is something many enjoy, especially when a £1 bet can return potentially hundreds or thousands if successful.

Mathematical & Statistical Approaches

When betting on football, employing mathematical and statistical approaches can be a helpful strategy. With football being an emotional sport for many (using their heart and not their head when their teams are involved), these methods can help limit the amount of money that may be wagered and lost based on potentially poor decisions.

As a fan of one team, there will be a natural dislike of another club. This bias can enter a punter’s mind when placing a bet; for instance, they may bet on a team to lose because they hope they do, when it’s more likely they will win because they are in better form. It’s only natural, but emotions cannot be involved in football betting.

Models like the Kelly Criterion, staking plans, and effective management of a bettor’s bankroll are essential.

The Kelly Criterion is a mathematical formula used to determine the optimal fraction of a bankroll to wager on a bet, maximising the long-term growth of capital while managing risk. It calculates the ideal bet size based on the probability of winning, the odds offered, and the probability of losing, helping bettors maximise expected value over time.

Staking plans can involve bettors sticking to a specific amount to wager. This can be a fixed figure, such as £1, or a percentage based on their remaining bankroll (e.g., 10% of what’s available). This strategy enables bettors to maintain control over their finances and wager only what they can afford to lose.

Maximising Promotions & Bonuses

Given the popularity of football betting in the UK, sportsbooks can offer several bonuses and promotions that players can combine with their bets. We mentioned ‘Acca Insurance’ offers already, but you can find other promos, including:

• Super Sub (carries a bet over to the player who replaces the original individual wagered on).
• Pay out for two-goal leads (when a team goes two goals clear up at any point in the game, a bookie will payout as a winner).
• Boosted odds on specific games or player props.

UK punters can maximise their returns when using these promotions, as they can provide additional value. Bets can be prolonged if they appear to be over early (due to substitutions), or they can provide winning outcomes quickly, reducing risk if they make a fast start on the pitch.

Man City could take a 2-0 lead over Burnley in the first half; a payout can be obtained, allowing bettors to enjoy the second half without that particular bet being at risk. If Erling Haaland is replaced by Omar Marmoush, a bet on him to score can be transferred to the Egyptian, where applicable, giving players a good chance of it still coming in if they wagered on the Norwegian to score anytime in the game.

Discipline and Record-Keeping

Maintaining discipline is essential when it comes to football betting. As highlighted, football can be an emotionally charged sport, as most bettors tend to support a specific team. It can be difficult to bet against them, even when it’s the right thing to do (according to stats and trends).

Bettors should adopt strategies that help them manage their emotions and ensure they adhere to the methods already mentioned.

They should avoid chasing losses when outcomes don’t come in. If a bet has been placed on Manchester City to win, but Burnley surprises everyone, it’s best to leave the bet and accept the defeat, rather than place money on another one to try to recoup what has been lost.

Additionally, bettors are advised to keep track of the bets that they place. Keeping a statistical log that allows punters to analyse the bets they’ve made can help them to identify potential trends. It can highlight bets that have a greater chance of success or traditionally lose when placed, allowing informed decisions to be made for future wagers.

Football Expert Betting Tips & Tricks

With football betting being diverse, bettors should adopt the following tips to keep sessions entertaining:

Focus on a Few Leagues

A top football betting tip is to focus on a specific league(s), as this can help to maximise win potential.

If you have a good understanding of the Premier League (watching every week or having complete access), then this could be a good option for betting. Additionally, if you support a team in a league and follow them closely, this can help you make better bets, as you may have a greater understanding of how a league works and its strengths and weaknesses.

Too many punters will often place bets on leagues where they have never heard of the teams involved, or don’t have detailed statistical access to them. They see “value” in odds because they appear long, but don’t truly understand why those odds have been set. This is where bad bets are made.

Avoid leagues where a lack of knowledge exists, as this can reduce the possible number of losses that may occur.

Conduct Detailed Research

As already referenced, the importance of conducting detailed research cannot be overstated.

Surface-level research can be a good starting point for identifying potential outcomes in a game. However, football can be unpredictable due to the significant impact of momentum on performances. One bad performance can be a sign of something bigger, or it can be a blip.

Man City losing to a team can be considered a “shock” because everyone expects them to win. However, when they come up against a title rival, they may find they have a bad record against them. For example, Arsenal appear to do well against them. If they are about to play and City’s record is positive but Arsenal’s is negative heading into the encounter, it won’t automatically mean a City win.

Football betting can require bettors to conduct thorough research. What has happened over a team’s last few matches? What trends are experienced when two teams meet regularly? What external factors could play a role in an upcoming game (weather, availability of players, etc)?

All of these should be considered before placing a bet to maximise win potential.

Learn From Past Mistakes

Football betting can require bettors to learn as they play. Given the unpredictable nature of the sport, mistakes are inevitable. What are perceived as good bets at the time can ultimately prove to be poor ones.

Bettors should track the bets they make and be honest with themselves about any mistakes as soon as possible. For example, betting on Chelsea to score three goals in a game because they have done so in the last three meetings might sound reasonable, but each meeting is unique. Different circumstances are present, which can influence goal efficiency.

When noting mistakes, be clear about what they are and why they may have been made. Review these regularly and aim to learn from them with each bet that is placed thereafter.

Don’t Overthink

Football is a simple game; betting is too. As money is on the line, this activity can become harder than it needs to be, as punters begin to question themselves and start to overthink.

Several circumstances and scenarios can influence bets, many of which cannot be influenced by anyone involved. When betting, keep things simple and avoid overthinking about what can and cannot happen.

Football is played by those on the pitch; simply stick to bets that you understand and have a good feeling about, based on the research that has been completed before kick-off.

Consider The Future

The top clubs can be involved in several matches across a short period of time. Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City, and others can often play in two a week (Tuesday/Wednesday and Saturday/Sunday) because of the tournaments they are involved in.

It’s essential to consider how this can affect the outcome. Teams are likely to be rotated, as managers want to give themselves the best chance to win, potentially resulting in some players missing out or having limited minutes on the pitch.

Alternatively, there will be clubs in the Premier League that play just once a week. These teams may be fresher and be more focused on the game as they’ve been able to spend six/seven days preparing for one fixture.

If a team facing each scenario plays against each other, value can be found in the betting odds. Teams in action earlier in the week may find their odds are shorter than they should be despite the quick turnaround. Alternatively, clubs that are new could have a larger value as underdogs when they have a chance of achieving a positive result.

Flashscore Advantage: Form Guide, H2H, and In-Depth Research for Your Bets

Flashscore is the only tool you need to help you maximise your football betting experiences. When using the resource, you can:

Access Detailed Statistics

The Flashscore tool allows bettors to access detailed statistics, including a team’s and a player’s recent form guide, head-to-head trends, and up-to-date league standings, all in one place. For bettors, the app also provides a list of bookmakers and their live betting odds for specific markets in a format that allows viewers to compare them immediately.

A team’s recent form can be viewed in two ways:

• A general snapshot of their last five fixtures
• A rundown of their fixtures and past results

To help users, Flashscore features a colour-coded key that enables them to immediately identify whether a win (green), loss (red), or draw (grey) has occurred. This key can allow users to receive crucial information quickly, especially when placing in-play bets.

Additionally, the recent results and the head-to-head sections of the Flashscore tool can allow bettors to make informed decisions about player and team prop markets. If you notice that Man City’s last five matches against Burnley have all ended in victory and by a margin of at least two goals, then history suggests that over 1.5 goals could be worth backing on top of a City win (remember, this isn’t a guarantee).

How to Use Flashscore

Using Flashscore is very simple. Users can access key statistics by simply selecting the game that they want to follow and bet on.

Once the event has been loaded, key statistics can be accessed through the use of accessible buttons. These are placed in prominent positions, making it easy for users to find the information they are looking for easily and quickly.

Flashscore provides a comprehensive offering that is unrivalled by anyone else and is free to use 24/7.

How to Place a Football Bet

Want to learn how to bet on football? To place a bet, simply do the following:

If the match is abandoned before full-time, bets that can be settled to that point (prop outcomes) will be paid if successful. If a game is postponed, bets will be voided and returned.