Football betting is one of the most popular wagering pastimes enjoyed globally. It was found that 50% of all sports betting handled in 2023 came from soccer bets worldwide, with Oceania seeing 62% of all sports betting handle based on the sport. At the same time, Asia (59%) and Europe (54%) were all above half, while North America saw just 7% of handle come from soccer.
Given the popularity, it’s no surprise that many operators continue to place focus on their offerings regarding the sports. Many aim to be among the best football betting sites that punters can use by providing something of value. Some may focus on the bonuses that can be obtained when wagering on the sport; others may focus on the markets and odds they make available or even live streaming options they offer to allow bettors to watch the games being wagered on.
With numerous options available, it offers punters the flexibility and power to choose the best site for their wagering preferences. However, there is already plenty about the sport that they need to consider when looking at what bets they should be making.
Bettors Need To Think About Performance
When it comes to placing a bet, there can often be two methods that are chosen:
Based on statistics
Based on emotions and gut-feel
As any advanced bettor knows - and everyone else should recognise - the former of the two strategies is better than the latter. A fan of a team will often find it hard to go against their team when it comes to placing a bet, as they want them to win. Even when it appears unlikely, the support that is held for that team can cloud judgment and make it difficult to separate hope from reality. Individuals may recognize that their team is playing poorly, for example, but still hold hope that a positive result can happen because of the nature of the game.
When wagering with statistics and data in mind, better decisions can be made. They are informed and will be based on things that have been proven to happen. They can even incorporate factual elements such as the weather or player form. Each of these factors (and many others) can have a significant impact on the outcome of a bet, which is why it’s important to consider them when placing wagers on football.
Why Player Performances Drive Betting Trends
Although football is a team sport, it’s the players as individuals who can make a huge difference on the pitch. Teams that haven’t gelled together or are lacking confidence can be detrimental to the outcome of a punter’s bet, but they can ultimately come down to an individual player.
If a team’s star striker is out of form - such as the blip that Manchester City’s Erling Haaland had been experiencing recently - then it can make a bettor think twice about the number of goals scored or the final result. This might not necessarily always be the case for a top club due to the quality of players they have, but it can be a huge factor when wagering on a team fighting for survival.
At the same time, if the team has an injury or suspension to a key player, then it can have a disruptive impact on the club and bets made about them. An individual can be the difference between winning and losing, with statistics often being used to reinforce their importance on the team and their impact.
Bettors notice these things, especially if they watch the clubs that they wager on regularly. With the Premier League being the most-watched league and most bet on, it’s easier than ever to keep informed, thus helping to improve the decisions made when betting with real money.
Should Team Performance Be Considered When Making Betting Decisions?
As noted, football is a team sport and one that each player ensures everyone watching understands. They never like to take any individual credit or personal adulation. They want everyone to recognise that they are “in it together” and without their team-mates, they are nothing.
For bettors, it can be useful to consider the team when engaging in betting decisions. Sometimes, it’s possible to notice in matches that if one player isn’t at it, the entire team might not be. Simultaneously, if players are performing poorly or at the top of their game, it can impact the entire team either positively or negatively.
While footballers can be singled out for performances, bettors should consider a mixture of individual stars and team factors when making bets, as they can play a combined role when wagering on the various markets that are offered.
