Football betting is popular among both beginners and experienced bettors. With these wagers, cappers can not only lose their stakes but also regularly win small and large sums. To ensure consistent winnings, bettors use various betting strategies. This article covers the TOP 12 such strategies (11 in the first section and the 12th at the end).
NO BETTING STRATEGY GUARANTEES 100% PROFIT!
List of the TOP 11 best football betting strategies
The TOP 11 most effective methods include the following strategies:
- “Both teams to score”;
- “Individual total”;
- “Total over”;
- “Total under”;
- “Corner bets”;
- “Live football betting”;
- “Half betting”;
- “Odd/Even”;
- “Martingale”;
- “Draw betting”;
- “Corridor” (Middle).
Description of football betting strategies
Both teams to score
The essence of this strategy is to select a match where both teams are highly likely to score at least one goal each. These are typically:
- teams of roughly equal strength and motivation to win;
- playoff-stage matches;
- clubs that scored in at least 60% of their last 5–10 matches;
- teams with an attacking playstyle.
When determining the profitability of this strategy, bettors are advised to use the BTTS (Both Teams To Score) calculation model.
Learn more about the “Both teams to score” strategy and the calculation formula in our detailed article.
Individual total
In bookmaker listings, this type of bet is marked as “IT.” It’s placed on the individual result of one team within a football match or in a specific half. IT bets can apply to various markets — number of corners, goals, yellow cards, or penalties.
“Individual total” is a subtype of the general “total over/under” market.
Read more about this strategy in the article Total betting strategy.
Total Over
Displayed in bookmaker listings as “TO.” This bet is placed on the combined total of both teams’ goals in a match. “TO” assumes that the total number of goals scored will exceed the bookmaker’s specified threshold.
Advantages of the “Total over” strategy:
- the possibility of a refund if the total number of goals equals the stated line;
- a high probability of a small win when betting on over 1.5 goals per match.
Learn more about the “Total over” strategy in our article.
Total Under
Displayed in bookmaker listings as “TU.” This bet is placed on the combined total of both teams’ goals in a match being fewer than the bookmaker’s specified threshold.
Advantages of the “Total under” strategy:
- the possibility of a refund if the total number of goals equals the line;
- a high chance of a larger payout if the bet predicts a low-scoring match (e.g., 1:0 with TU 1.5).
Read more about the “Total under” strategy in the article on Total betting in football.
Corner betting
This strategy focuses on predicting the number of corner kicks taken by one or both teams. It includes all main bet types: total per match/half, over/under, individual totals, and handicaps.
Advantages of the “Corner betting” strategy:
- value potential — experienced bettors can find and exploit value odds in the corner market;
- repeatable live-betting patterns.
If a favorite leads by 2–3 goals in the second half, they may switch to a defensive style, resulting in fewer corners.
Disadvantages include low bet limits, high bookmaker margins, and limited statistical data for accurate forecasting.
Read more about the Corner betting strategy in our article.
Live football betting
This strategy involves placing bets after the match has started rather than before kickoff. Bets can be placed up to the 80th minute. The main advantage is higher odds compared to pre-match markets.
Recommended markets for the “Live football betting” strategy:
- “Both teams to score”;
- “Match result”;
- “Corners”;
- “Total over/under”;
- “Handicap”;
- “Individual total.”
When choosing matches, consider:
- dangerous attacks created in the second half;
- offensive substitutions by coaches;
- teams of roughly equal strength;
- neither team leading by more than 2 goals.
Half betting
This strategy allows betting separately on the outcomes of the first and second halves. Its downside is the increased difficulty of predicting outcomes, but its advantage lies in higher odds compared to full-time results. Additionally, bettors can recover a loss from the first half by betting on the second half outcome.
Main markets for this strategy include:
- “Both teams to score”;
- “Match result”;
- “Corners”;
- “Total over/under”;
- “Handicap”;
- “Individual total.”
When using “total” markets in this strategy, it’s recommended to bet on the second half, as most top European teams score more after halftime.
Odd/Even
This strategy involves betting on whether the total number of goals scored will be odd or even. It can be applied both in “Live” and “Pre-match” markets.
Match selection criteria:
- bookmaker odds not lower than 1.90;
- teams of different strength levels;
- the favorite conceded in at least 60% of their last 10 matches;
- the underdog averages between 0.9 and 1.3 goals per match over its last 10 games.
Martingale
The Martingale strategy involves placing a series of bets on the same market, doubling the stake after each loss.
An optimized version of the Martingale is to place a bet on a market where similar previous bets would have lost several times in a row.
A progressive Martingale example: Juventus in Serie A 2020/21 between February 6 and 26. The “TO 2.5” bet lost three times in a row (“Juventus”–“Verona” 2:0; “Atalanta”–“Juventus” 1:1; “Juventus”–“Torino” 1:1). In the fourth match (“Empoli”–“Juventus” 2:3), the “TO 2.5” finally won.
This improved Martingale can be used across markets such as:
- “Both teams to score”;
- “Match result”;
- “Corners”;
- “Total over/under”;
- “Handicap”;
- “Individual total.”
Draw betting
This strategy can be used both pre-match and live, betting on a draw at any scoreline. Such wagers can be direct (any draw) or indirect.
Indirect draw bets include:
- “Total under 0.5” – equivalent to a 0:0 draw;
- “Overtime – Yes/No” – assumes extra time after a tied full-time result (used in playoff or cup matches);
- “12” or “No draw” – the match will end with a winner;
- “X2” – draw or win for the away team;
- “1X” – draw or win for the home team.
When choosing a match for draw betting, consider:
- difficult weather conditions (rain, snow) hindering attacking play;
- the favorite missing key attacking players;
- the favorite having little motivation (e.g., secured tournament goals or large first-leg win);
- bookmaker odds above 2.00 for the favorite’s win;
- in 60% of each team’s last 10 games, “Total under 2.5” was a winning bet;
- the underdog playing at home and motivated to earn points.
Corridor (Middle)
This strategy involves placing two opposing bets on the same match but with different lines at two different bookmakers. The gap between the higher and lower total is the “corridor,” allowing a double win if the final score lands within it. Ideally, both odds should be near or above 2.0.
Example: betting “TO 1.5” and “TU 3.5” on the same match creates a corridor between 1.5 and 3.5.
Possible results (for the TO 1.5 / TU 3.5 pair):
- first bet wins, second loses — 4+ goals scored;
- first bet loses, second wins — 0–1 goals scored;
- both bets win — 2–3 goals scored.
The main drawback is the time required to find suitable matches (comparing lines at two bookmakers and analyzing the corridor potential).
The main advantage is the possibility of a double win or at least a refund if one bet wins.
Are there any guaranteed betting strategies?
It is impossible to predict football match outcomes with 100% certainty. Upsets happen frequently, with underdogs or mid-table teams drawing or beating favorites. Therefore, no strategy guarantees consistent profits. However, some methods can significantly increase your chances of success.
The benefit of this “safe” bet is that it wins if each team scores at least one goal — a highly probable scenario.
The downside is losing the bet if the match ends 0:0, 1:0, or 0:1.
NO BETTING STRATEGY GUARANTEES 100% PROFIT!
