In-Depth Guide on Betting on Soccer
A Complete Guide to Soccer Betting
Not all soccer fans and enthusiasts are bettors, but all soccer bettors need to at least be knowledgeable about the game if they hope to be good at actually betting on it. Chances of winning always depend on the statistics and logic behind the bet you made, and you gain those factors through research and study behind the players, the team, and the game itself. This complete and comprehensive betting guide for beginners and seasoned gamblers alike can instil the basics of both the game and the betting, and hopefully, up their chances of winning their soccer bets.
All About Soccer
Soccer is a competitive sport that leans more to a low contact sport than a high one. Played in a field with twenty players fighting over the ball, it is expected that every now and again, a foot might end up in someone’s shin or even at their heads.
It is one of the sports that would halt participating countries from all that they’re doing just to see a game in their respective houses, making a day and celebrating each win of their team as their own. There is no doubt how easily betting on soccer flourished with this kind of regard held for the game.
History of the Game
Soccer games come with a lot of history. Like any other sport, soccer has its fair share of soccer history and events. However, there may always be debate about what really happened during some soccer events. Not everyone agrees on what is true and what’s just part of soccer folklore.
The first-ever game was played in 1872, with soccer rules based on rugby. At this time, soccer players were only allowed to kick the ball and were not permitted to use their hands or arms.
Today, soccer is a very popular sport around the world. Soccer games are supposed to be played in accordance with certain rules and regulations. No one can modify these official soccer rules because they are enforced by all soccer organisations, including FIFA. Soccer leagues like the NCAA make sure that every school follows soccer rules before they are authorised to compete in tournaments.
The very first soccer player to be inducted into the soccer hall of fame was Bert Patenaude, who scored three goals in the World Cup soccer tournament. Soccer fans continue to wonder where soccer would be today had it not been for the soccer greats like George Best and Pele.
Rules
- How does the game start?
There are two teams consisting of 11 players for each team, but only one player from each is allowed in the middle circle at any given time. The referee will explain what you can or cannot do at this point. If any player enters the circle prematurely without any permission, they will receive a warning.
- How does the game advance?
Players need to hit the ball towards the enemy goal with only their feet, chest, or head. Using hands is forbidden.
- How long is a soccer match?
A match is typically 90 minutes long. It is split into two halves that last for 45 minutes. Should the game end in a tie, there are two options: the game is prolonged for two extra 15 minute time periods, or there may be a penalty shootout.
- When can a goal be scored?
A goal is not just when the ball completely crosses the line, but it actually has to be kicked across the opposing team’s endline. A player cannot score by throwing or handing the ball over to another; that is considered to be passing and, if caught, results in an indirect kick for the other team. A game is won when one team scores more than the other by the end of the 90 minute period.
- What happens when a goal is scored?
When one of the teams scores, the game continues with both teams once again lining up behind their respective lines, and players on each team vie for control of the offence ball. The game clock continued to run during this time, so you need to move quickly before losing possession of this crucial ball. If either team doesn’t get the ball back into play within 30 seconds, it’s considered to be a turnover, and both teams retreat to their respective lines while their opponent starts with the offence.
Major Tournaments and Leagues
Every four years, the best teams from all over the world come together to play in a grand tournament called The World Cup. There have been 19 of them so far. While this is certainly the most important soccer competition that exists, there are other major tournaments worldwide, such as The European Championship (played every four years since 1960, Copa America, played every four years since 1916, and many more.
- World Cup
A championship tournament for men’s national teams from all over the globe, organised every four years by FIFA (International Federation of Association Football).
- UEFA European Championship
A championship tournament for men/mixed teams from all over the continent, organised every four years by UEFA (Union of European Football Association.)
- Copa América
A championship tournament for men/mixed teams from North American, Central America, and South America (CONMEBOL), organised by CONMEBOL itself. The Cup follows the same format as that of the European Championship.
- North American Champions League
A championship tournament for men/mixed teams from North America, Central America, and South America (CONCACAF).
- Africa Cup of Nations
A championship tournament for men/mixed teams from Africa, organised every two years by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
FIFA & Governing Bodies
The Federation Internationale de Football Association, better known by the acronym FIFA, is the world governing body of soccer. It is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and has 211 member associations. Its mission statement is “to improve the game of soccer around the world.” FIFA membership comprises three levels: National Associations (the governing body of each country), regional associations (Confederations), and worldwide membership.
Other governing bodies in the world of soccer are the following:
- CAF
The Confederation of African Football, usually abbreviated as CAF, is the governing body of soccer in Africa. It’s headquartered in Cairo, Egypt, and has 55 members.
- UEFA
The Union of European Football Association, commonly known as UEFA, is headquartered in Nyon, Switzerland, and has 53 members.
- CONCACAF
The Confederation of North, Central American, and Caribbean Association Football is also known as CONCACAF. It is based in New York, US, and has 40 members.
- OFC
The Oceania Football Confederation of the OFC is based in Auckland, New Zealand, and has 11 members.
Famous Teams, Players, and Managers
Today, the most popular football club hailed by sports enthusiasts and fans alike is Real Madrid. The club is one of the most successful clubs in soccer history with the most LaLiga titles and has won the FIFA Club of the 20th Century Award. Social media today has not helped downplay the team’s popularity, with Real Madrid boasting 99.5 million followers on Instagram.
Every team needs a manager, and the most famous soccer team manager is Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti. He has helped the team with three tournaments of the 2003, 2007, and 2014 Champions League. He also helped other teams win, such as France, Paris Saint-Germain, Germany, England, as well as others in domestic cups.
As for the soccer players themselves, Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the most popular professional soccer player. He plays forward for Manchester United. His accolades include FIFA Ballon d’Or, FIFA Player of the Year, PFA Players Player of the Year, and the European Golden Shoe.
Soccer Betting Guide for Beginners
Profit from a soccer bet starts with the soccer betting strategy you choose. That’s why it is important to stock up on all the soccer knowledge you can, as the more you know about the game, the more chances you’ll be able to predict the outcome of a game. Here in this soccer betting guide for beginners, we have some readily available tips and strategies you could use to help you make the best bet you can:
1. Choose high odds before today’s games
In other words, try to place soccer bets on events that haven’t started yet, rather than ones that already happened. This is simply because finding out who won in a previous event doesn’t matter anymore. Odds change unpredictably. If you place soccer bets on events that did not end yet, the profit is already 100%.
2. Bet on underdogs
All experienced sports bettors know how to profit from betting on soccer underdog teams because their odds are usually bigger than in the case of favourite ones. If the team is fighting for a championship title or needs to prove themselves, they play with more concentration and effort, so it makes sense to go for them in your soccer bets if you want to profit.
3. Don’t pick favourites when choosing soccer bets
This mainly refers to following one single player or team instead of the whole competition or tournament itself. The majority of gamblers tend to make this mistake by supporting just one squad during a championship. If they lose, however, their profit is severely compromised. Those who want to keep betting on soccer should always keep in mind that bookmakers set odds according to how many people place bets with a certain outcome. With this, if most of the sports enthusiasts think it’s most likely for team A to win compared to team B, you shouldn’t blindly follow them and instead look for value in underdogs.
Transfers and Rumours
Here, we’ll be talking about some soccer transfer rumours in the industry mill. Movement from within the transfer window is speeding up, so if you want to know where your picks are, then you better brush up with the news.
Christian Eriksen in talks with Brentford
Christian Eriksen is said to be in talks with Brentford for a potential transfer with a six-month contract. Added to the contract is an extra year. Should he take the deal, the 29-year-old Denmark star will return to the soccer scene after the cardiac arrest scare back in 2020.
Alvaro Morata eyed by Barcelona
With the January transfer window closing, Barcelona is still in search of a new striker in order to strengthen their offensive. Sources say that the club still eyes Alvaro Morata. Negotiations have been nothing close to easy, but the club is still determined to lock the star player in.
Arthur Melo considering Arsenal transfer
Soccer rumours around say that Arthur Melo from Juventus may be considering a move to Arsenal, with the former club steadfast with their demands. Another club eyeing Melo is the Gunners, with an initial loan agreement to bag the Brazil international player.
Lucas Digne officially transfers to Aston Villa
Lucas Digne has officially signed his move from Everton to Aston Villa, with a $34 million deal signed in favour of Digne. Digne has featured in 127 games under the Everton club, his stay spanning for close to four years all the way back to 2018. Aston Villa was not the only club eyeing Digne before he signed, with Chelsea initially interested but refrained from making an offer due to their focus on taking Emerson Palmieri back from Lyon.
Emerson Palmieri declines Chelsea
For our last soccer transfer news update, Lyon has officially declined Chelsea’s offer to recall Emerson Palmieri, a huge strike to the club’s efforts to strengthen their left flank. The sporting director Junionho Pernabucano had rejected a ‘favourable financial package’ in Chelsea’s attempt to take Emerson back. Emerson himself seems intent on playing with Lyon for as long as the season lasts, with manager Peter Bosz announcing Emerson’s stay in France for the entire season.
Next up in Chelsea’s docket is US international and Barcelona wing-back Sergiño Dest.
Latest Local and International News
For our latest soccer news updates in the local scene, COVID-19 disrupts the planned match between Hyderabad FC and Jamshedpur FC.
Match #36 with Hyderabad and Jamshedpur has been postponed by the Indian Super League (ISL) due to a COVID-19 infection in the camp of Jamshedpur. The latter club could not meet the requisite number of players because of the COVID-19 scare, thus prompting the postponement. The date for the match’s rescheduling is still to be announced.
Three other matches have also been postponed due to coronavirus concerns. Kerala Blasters have the same issue with their own camp, rendering their match with Mumbai City FC postponed, and besides this, Mariners players with a positive COVID-19 result entailed a postponement of two other matches.
For international soccer news and results, in a move that will make him the youngest player in MLS history, Axel Kei signed with Real Salt Lake as Homegrown Player on Friday. He became their youngest ever addition at just 15 years and 15 days old, surpassing an 18-year-old record held by Freddy Adu, who joined DC United back in 2004 when he was only 14 years and 168 days old.
Kei is the most promising young soccer player to come out of Brazil in decades. He was raised by an Ivory Coast father and played youth games across southern South America before moving permanently stateside at age 14, where he attended high school along with his younger brother, also a professional athlete who currently plays for Real Salt Lake’s affiliate team academy located just outside downtown Phoenix near Joshua Tree National Park.
Kei’s rise through the ranks has been rapid, with his first professional contract already in place after just one year. He will continue to play for RSL’s U17 team while also representing them at college level, where he is studying Business Marketing & Sales. Axel Kei is definitely on the list of players to look out for in the future.
