Soccer is known as the “beautiful game” and has billions of followers around the world. Betting on soccer is also extremely popular and bookmakers now offer hundreds of market on each and every match.

Making a profit from soccer betting is far from easy but there are a number of techniques which can be used to help make it an enjoyable and money-making experience. Popular competitions such as the World Cup are always the most-wagered events for any online bookmaker but there are a number of tournaments and leagues which offer winning opportunities on a daily basis. We take a look at how to bet intelligently on soccer and our advice and tips will hopefully help you make wiser decisions before placing a wager:

Current Form

There are many different aspects to betting on soccer that need to be taken into consideration but current form is arguably the most important. Winning tends to breed confidence with sequences and runs all part of the game. There are a number of websites which offer form and statistics on numerous leagues and it’s always important to study these before placing any bet. Sides can go unbeaten at home for an entire season yet fail to pick up a single victory on their travels whilst others might feel the pressure of the home crowd and struggle on their own patch.

Schedule

Once the soccer season is in full swing, it can be a busy time for both coaches and players. In the MLS, teams will travel thousands of miles between stadiums in the space of a couple of days. This MUST be factored into the equation. If a side played 120 minutes in the cup in midweek and are travelling from east coast to west coast ahead of an early kick off, they will surely not be at their best. Countries such as Russia, China and Brazil have clubs situated throughout the land with travelling distances often playing their part in producing unusual results.

Motivation

Occasionally, teams don’t need to win. As strange as this sounds, it does occur in soccer. If a team have already been relegated or they have secured the league title earlier in the week, they may not be motivated for their upcoming tie. Also, cup competitions are deemed less important by many coaches and they are unlikely to prioritize them. Always check team news and make sure you are fully aware of a side’s motivation ahead of placing any bet.

Head to Head

This is a divisive angle. Some bettors love to study head-to-heads before placing a wager whilst many will opt to disregard them. Some teams have poor records against a particular opponent and this cannot be ignored. Soccer throws up peculiar records and if you look hard enough, you will find teams who have not won at an oppositions ground in a number of years despite regular visits. Although coaches and players change on a regular basis, some clubs will always struggle against a particular opponent and this is an important betting angle.

Change of Coach or Manager

This is absolutely crucial. The shelf-life of a soccer coach is generally very short, particularly in Europe. Players will often underperform if they don’t agree with the coach’s methods or tactics and this can often lead to them getting the sack. Recently appointed coaches often get results with many of them opting to tighten up their defence upon arriving at the club. Always do your research and check that there hasn’t been a change in the dugout. If a side is playing for the first time under a new coach, they mustn’t be underestimated.

Team News

Every team will have a standout player and many will be reliant upon one or two individuals. If these players are out injured or suspended, a team may be forced to play in an unfamiliar formation or could simply struggle to find their usual rhythm. Always study team news before placing any wager. Most clubs will release their line-up an hour before kick-off however injuries and suspensions are generally found on club’s websites or soccer statistics sites days in advance. If a side have kept consecutive clean sheets but are missing their star central defender, this is likely to set alarm bells ringing.

Types of Bet

Parlays or accumulators are extremely popular because they offer potentially significant returns from a small outlay but they aren’t profitable long-term. Having to rely upon seven or eight teams to win is not conducive to a sensible wager and although they are a lot of fun, stakes should be kept to a minimum.

Singles and Doubles are the best way to make a profit. Depending on the price, landing just two of your three selections over the course of the weekend will generally ensure you are in the black. Sticking to just a single team will ensure that you have more time for thorough research. It’s no secret that online bookmakers encourage their customers to bet in multiples as they are more likely to lose.

Parlays are a bit of fun and occasionally you may strike it lucky but to give yourself the best chance of making a profit on a weekly basis, stick to singles or doubles in order to minimise the risk.

Bank Roll and Points Systems

Always set yourself a bank roll and ensure that you stake sensibly. If you have a bank roll of $50 for the month, never bet more than around 5-10% on any one wager. Once you’ve started to make a profit, you can start to increase your stakes. Don’t run before you can walk.

It’s advised to use a points system and this can be personalized. For example, if one point = $5, assign each wager a set amount of points depending on the confidence that you have in your selection. A two point bet would require a stake of $10.

Never wager more than you can afford to lose and only begin increasing your stakes once you’ve made a healthy profit.

Don’t Bet for the Sake of It

Wagering on soccer is tremendous fun and is particularly popular during the season and throughout major tournaments but occasionally, the fixture list can be disappointing. If you don’t fancy any of the teams playing on a particular day, don’t place a bet. If there aren’t enough fixtures taking place, save your money for the following day. Placing a wager for the sake of it is usually one of the quickest ways of losing money and astute soccer bettors will always take a day off once in a while.

Consider Different Markets

There are a number of different markets available with the majority of online bookmakers. 1X2 is still the most popular and predicting the outcome of a match remains the easiest way to get involved.

Some teams can be unpredictable but are likely to set-up in a similar style for every single game. Goals markets such as Over/Under and Both Teams to Score are extremely popular in games which appear tough to call.

First Goalscorer markets are another way to get involved and these offer the opportunity to predict individual player performance.

Some online bookmakers will have 200+ markets for a particular soccer game and there are many different ways to find an alternative wager. It’s advised to assess your options before committing to a particular bet.

Specialize

The amount of matches and markets available can be overwhelming. It is impossible to follow every single league and competition around the world and specialising in one or two divisions is advised.

If you follow the MLS or the English Premier League, stick to these competitions. Don’t be tempted to try and wager on a league that you have never previously watched or studied as it will lead to mistakes and potentially lost bets.

Don’t be Afraid of Backing Shorter Prices

Backing big-priced winners is always preferable but landing one of these wagers is easier said than done. Finding a selection which simply doubles your money is a solid way of building up your bank. Winning is better than losing and any successful wager is worth celebrating.