Many fans are familiar with basic betting concepts for US sports; however, learning how to bet on soccer often requires a little more nuance.
The sport has surged in popularity in recent years, closing ground on the “big four” that have long dominated the US market. This has also coincided with a sharp rise in online sports betting as it becomes legal in more states.
Unlike traditional game lines where you wager on winners/losers, the prevalence of tying in soccer is an added wrinkle bettors need to consider. There is no foolproof system for how to bet on soccer and always win, but there are some tips to enhance your odds.
How to bet on US Soccer
While “the beautiful game” has long resonated with passionate fan bases overseas, it traditionally hasn’t had the same pull on US soil. That’s beginning to change.
Given the prevalence of US-based pro soccer, fans can now support local and national teams with plenty of televised events.
If you are looking for how to bet on soccer within the US market, consider:
- Major League Soccer (MLS)
- US Men's National Team (USMNT) international tournaments
- US Women’s National Team (USWNT) international tournaments
You can find odds for these games/events at nearly every legal online sportsbook.
How to bet on non-US soccer leagues
Soccer has some of the biggest sports leagues in the world. The English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and Serie A in Italy lead the way. This is where you will find some of the biggest names in the sport.
Top teams across Europe also compete in an annual tournament called the Champions League, which is the world's highest level of club soccer.
Even though these games don’t take place in the US, you can still find odds for them at every major US sportsbook.
3-way soccer moneylines
A key to learning how to bet on soccer is figuring out the different types of moneyline bets.
Unlike most US sports, soccer betting lines have three options when wagering on the moneyline. You bet either team to win outright, or you can bet on the game finishing in a tie.
Ex.
- Manchester United +120
- Liverpool +180
- Draw +230
You may get more favorable odds on a moneyline wager compared with other sports, but there is more risk attached. If you bet on a side to win and the game ends in a draw, your bet grades as a loss.
2-way soccer moneylines
If you’d like to avoid the possibility of losing your bet on a draw, you can instead wager on a 2-way moneyline. You might not see these odds initially when you check game odds, but if you click on additional wagers, they should populate.
There are two types of 2-way moneylines:
- Draw no bet: You bet on the moneyline, and if the game ends in a draw, your bet is graded as a push (your initial stake is returned)
- Double chance: You bet on a team to either win or draw (your bet is graded as a win in either event).
When you're just learning how to bet on soccer, these are preferred methods because even though the payout odds are decreased, there is more security.
It's also an ideal way to bet on underdogs in a matchup since you can often still get plus odds and still win your bet or push on a tie.
How to bet on soccer goal lines (spreads)?
US fans might be more familiar with point spreads seen in the NFL, NBA, and MLB. You can also find these odds in soccer.
If the two teams are evenly matched, it’s unlikely the odds will be much different between the spread and the moneyline. This is referred to as a pk or pick em'.
If one team is the clear favorite, you could see a spread as large as 2 to 3 goals. This is another strategy you can implement to juice the odds of the favorite or increase your win potential by taking the points and backing the underdog.
How to bet on soccer totals and over/unders?
US fans will likely also be familiar with wagering on point total over/unders. You can bet on the total number of goals scored in soccer as well.
Remember, soccer is generally low scoring, and that is reflected in the lines. It's a good idea to check scoring trends for each team before betting on these odds.
Where can I bet on soccer?
Soccer betting odds are available at every major online sportsbook. Here is our list of the best soccer betting apps. Take advantage of some great new user deals when you use our promo codes during sign-up.
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