Are you overwhelmed by the extensive range of football betting markets? Do you want a clearer understanding of how each one works?
Look no further. In this post, I explain each of the main football bet types.
Article Contents
1×2 / Match Result / FT Result / Match Odds
The “1×2” football betting market is known by many different names, depending on the bookmaker or betting exchange.
When you place a 1×2 bet, you choose one of three possible outcomes:
- Home win (“1”)
- The Draw (“X”)
- Away win (“2”)
In football, unlike some American sports, the home team is always listed first. So if the fixture is “Tottenham v Arsenal”, Tottenham are at home.
You only win your 1×2 bet if you correctly predict the single outcome. Settlements are based on 90 minutes plus stoppage time — extra time and penalties don’t count unless the market states otherwise.
Tip: 1×2 is the simplest entry market, but watch for fixtures where the draw is undervalued — casual bettors often overlook it.
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Double Chance
Double Chance allows you to back two possible outcomes from the 1×2 market in a single bet.
Your options are:
- “1x” – Home win or Draw
- “12” – Home win or Away win
- “x2” – Draw or Away win
You win whenever one of your two chosen results occurs.
Double Chance increases your likelihood of winning but offers lower payouts compared to standard 1×2 bets.
Note that although it covers two outcomes, it isn’t the same as splitting your stake across two separate 1×2 bets (as you would with an Each Way bet in horse racing). Instead, the bookmaker provides a single price that balances the potential returns for both options.
Sometimes it’s better value to place two separate 1×2 bets rather than using Double Chance — and sometimes the opposite is true. To check, use a Double Chance calculator or refer to resources like Pinnacle’s guide on Double Chance betting.
Tip: Double Chance is useful when you expect a close game or want to back an underdog you believe won’t lose.
Correct Score
The Correct Score market involves predicting the exact score of a match from a list of possible outcomes.
Most professional games end with low-scoring results — 1-0 or 2-1 are common. The likelihood of any particular score depends on the teams, their style of play, and their relative strengths.
This market requires precision, and correctly predicting a scoreline is difficult. That’s why less likely results, or shock scorelines, often pay out far more than standard 1×2 bets.
Tip: Correct Score works best when you already have a strong sense of goal range — e.g., if you expect Under 2.5, focus on 0-0, 1-0, 0-1, or 1-1.
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Over/Under X Goals
Over/Under goal markets let you bet on the total number of goals in a game without predicting the exact score. The most common line is 2.5 goals, but you’ll also find 1.5, 3.5, and so on.
These markets are shown with decimal values (e.g. 2.5) rather than whole numbers to avoid “exact” results. For instance, if the market was Over/Under 2 Goals, a 1-1 draw would land on exactly 2 and cause issues. By using 2.5, every possible scoreline falls clearly under or over the line.
Example: You bet on “Under 2.5 goals” in Everton v Leicester. Winning results are 0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 2-0, or 0-2. Any other scoreline loses.
Tip: Overs are more likely in mismatches or attacking fixtures; Unders are more common in cautious, defensive contests.
Total Goals
The Total Goals market asks you to predict the range of goals scored in a match. Typical ranges are:
- 0–1 goals
- 2–3 goals
- 4–6 goals
- 7+ goals
Some bookies tighten these ranges, e.g. 4–5 instead of 4–6, which makes winning less likely but offers higher odds.
The likely range depends on the fixture. Two defensive, evenly matched teams may lean towards 0–1 goals, while open games or mismatches often push into higher ranges.
Tip: Historical matchups and playing styles help here — defensive sides point to low totals, while mismatches or high-pressing teams often drive high totals.
Both Teams to Score
This market is straightforward. You choose “Yes” or “No”:
- Yes – both teams score at least one goal
- No – either only one team scores, or none at all
Tip: BTTS “Yes” suits matches where both sides attack but defend poorly; “No” fits one-sided games or cautious encounters.
Half-Time Result
This market works like 1×2 but is settled at half-time. You pick Home (1), Draw (X), or Away (2). The score at the break decides the outcome.
Example: If you back the home side to lead at HT but the score is 1-1, your bet loses.
There’s also a Double Chance HT market, which works just like the FT version.
Tip: First halves are usually tighter than full games, so HT draws are more frequent than many expect.
Half Time/Full Time Result
The HT/FT market combines half-time and full-time results. To win, you must correctly predict both outcomes.
It’s not like Double Chance — getting one half correct isn’t enough. You need both.
Example: West Ham v Crystal Palace finishes 1-1 at HT and 2-1 at FT. The winning combination is X/1 (Draw at HT, Home at FT). All other combinations lose.
This bet is harder to land than separate HT and FT singles, but the increased difficulty is reflected in higher odds.
Tip: HT/FT is useful when you expect momentum shifts — such as a slow start but favourite finishing strong (X/1).
Draw No Bet
Draw No Bet removes the draw from consideration. You only win if your team wins; if the game ends in a draw, your stake is refunded.
Because the draw risk is removed, odds are shorter than in the 1×2 market.
Tip: DNB is ideal when you lean towards a team but see the draw as a strong possibility.
Goalscorer
Goalscorer markets are intuitive: you bet on a player to score (own goals excluded). Strikers are the favourites, defenders are long-shots.
Variations include:
- Anytime Scorer – your player scores at any point
- First Scorer – your player scores the first goal
- Last Scorer – your player scores the final goal
- To Score 2/3/4+ – your player scores multiple goals
Bookmakers differ in how they settle these bets if your player doesn’t play (injury, suspension, not selected). Some refund, others mark it as a loss.
Tip: Players on penalties, free-kicks, or in advanced attacking roles are more likely to deliver in Goalscorer markets.
Corners
Corner betting markets include:
- Over/Under/Exactly X corners – e.g. under/over 10 corners
- Between X–Y corners – e.g. 5–10 corners total
- First half / Second half corners
- Most corners – which team earns more
- First team to X corners – a “race to” bet
- Time of first corner
Asian Handicaps can also be applied to corners, and they are popular in spread betting.
Tip: Expect more corners in matches with wing play and frequent shots, and fewer when teams attack centrally or sit deep.
Yellow/Red Cards
Similar to corners, you can bet on cards. The most popular is “Number of Cards in Match” (Over/Under). The line is often 2.5 cards, but can be higher in feisty fixtures.
Other options include:
- Number of cards per team
- Which team receives the most bookings
- Whether a red card will be shown (by team, half, or time)
Asian Handicap markets are also used for cards betting.
Tip: Expect more cards in derbies, high-stakes fixtures, or when the referee is known for being strict.
Score/Miss Penalty
Bookies also price penalty markets, usually in Yes/No format:
- Penalty awarded?
- Penalty scored?
- Penalty missed?
- First goal a penalty?
You can also bet by team — e.g. “Penalty scored by Team A”. Because penalties aren’t guaranteed in every match, these markets often carry high odds.
Tip: Penalty markets are risky as spot kicks are rare — they suit games with quick attackers who often draw fouls.
Combo Bets
Combo bets combine two or more markets, increasing risk and payout. To win, all parts must be correct.
Popular examples include:
- Correct Score HT/FT – predict scores at both intervals
- Winner & Number of Goals – e.g. Home win & over 2.5 goals
- Winner & Both Teams to Score
- Total Goals & Both Teams to Score
- Scorecast – predict first goalscorer and the final score (or variations like anytime scorer & result)
Tip: Combo bets raise payouts but lower strike rate — only combine markets that logically complement each other.
European Handicap
The European Handicap (EH) gives one team a goal head start. You can then bet on Home, Draw, or Away with the handicap applied.
Example: Man United -1 at home v Brighton means Brighton effectively start 1–0 up.
Losing scenarios:
- Man United lose (handicap makes defeat heavier)
- The match ends a draw (handicap gives Brighton the win)
- Man United win by one goal (handicap creates a draw)
Winning scenario:
- Man United win by two or more goals (handicap still leaves them ahead)
EH bets level the playing field, making fixtures with clear favourites more interesting. They often produce value betting opportunities, as odds aren’t always as efficient as in the 1×2 market.
Tip: EH is best when you expect a favourite to win comfortably but don’t want to back them at very short odds.
Asian Handicap
Asian Handicaps (AH) are similar to EH but only offer two outcomes (win or lose). If the handicap results in a draw, your stake is refunded. To avoid pushes, many AH lines are set with half-goals.
Example: Man City (-2) v Oxford United (+2). If Man City win by exactly two, all stakes are refunded. If by more than two, City bets win; if by fewer, Oxford bets win.
There are many AH variations, which makes them the most complex football betting market. For a full explanation, see my dedicated guide: Asian Handicap Betting Explained.
Tip: AH markets remove the draw and are popular with sharp bettors because they balance mismatches and often offer better value than 1×2 odds.
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