In the past, bettors used to only be able to place bets on which team was going to win or not. The sports betting markets have evolved since then, allowing users to bet on all different aspects of fixtures, from cards to corners and, most importantly, how many goals are scored in a game. Goal Line betting is a type of bet that involves predicting the number of goals scored during the match, regardless of which team wins the game. This type of bet is perfect for those who are unsure which team will win the match yet are confident that there will be plenty of goals in play. Here at OddsMonkey, we will look at how goal-line betting works, different types of goal-line bets and the advantages and disadvantages of this type of betting.
How Goal Line Betting Works
Goal line bets allow users and bettors to predict the number of goals that will be scored in a sports fixture. However, bettors are not restricted to guessing the exact number of goals scored as bookmakers will set a goal line, which is a set number that bets can either be higher or lower than. The most common set number is 2.5 goals in a match, meaning bettors can either predict above or below 2.5 goals in a game. Goal line betting might come in different forms and sports, from Rugby to Football; those looking for more ways to bet on sports can check out texts like our football betting guide.
Obviously, teams cannot score half a goal, so the bookmakers have used these goal-line scores so that users can only win or lose. If you thought there would be three or more goals scored between the two teams, you would bet on over 2.5 goals, whereas if you thought there would be two or fewer goals, you would bet on under 2.5 goals. When placing these bets, it does not matter what team scores the goals; as long as there are more or fewer than what you bet on in the match, you will be successful. For example, if the score is 2-1 and you have placed a bet on over 2.5 goals in the game, the prize return will be received.
An example of Goal Line bet options could be the 2.5 goals options in football bets, which are most popular due to this being the average number of goals in play. However, some bookies will give the bettors options of betting on 1.5 goals or 3.5 goals in the game, offering the bettor different odds.
Different Types of Goal Line Bets
As previously mentioned, bookmakers are able to offer alternative goal-line bets, which usually range from 0.5 or more depending on the game format these odds relate to. This gives bettors a wide range of different options when it comes to how they want to play. These types of bets might come up when a Premier League team comes up against a lower-division team in a cup competition or if both teams have had 0-0 draws in their past couple of fixtures. Keeping up to date with our matched betting blog can help bettors understand all of the different betting options available throughout the industry.
Of course, betting on these different options will give bettors different odds, with the more extreme options giving the largest odds. If users are looking to understand odds, we have an odds conversion table explained piece that runs through the different odds from fractional to decimal odds and more.
Advantages or Disadvantages of Goal Line Bets
There are plenty of different advantages and disadvantages to goal line bets; here are some of the different reasons why people might want to or not want to place bets on goal line bets:
Advantages:
- bets don’t need a team to win
- Reduced risk – Do not have to predict the exact amount
- Adaptable to match types – Useful for bettors who are unsure who will win
- Potential returns – Having a good knowledge of the teams involved and doing research can give bettors the upper hand
Disadvantages:
- Hard to predict – External factors such as specific players getting injured or a player being sent off can change the course of the game.
- Excitement – Bettors do not seem to get the same entertainment they might do when cheering for a team to win
How Does Goal Line Betting Link To Matched Betting
It is possible for bettors to place a matched bet with goal line bets, as they will simply have to place a lay option on the opposite result on the same sporting fixture. Make sure to use our matched betting calculator to ensure you are using the correct stakes, odds and betting types. Using this calculator makes sure you do not make any mistakes when implementing your matched bet.
If users are looking for more matched betting tips, OddsMonkey is the place to be. The site is home to guides such as our football matched betting guide, our horse racing matched betting guide and much more.
