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What is football betting
This type of betting covers a broad range of wagers that you can place on a football match or series of matches. Anything from goals to corners, league winners, red cards and more. You name it, you can bet on it – within reason!
To the uninitiated, the very sight of a betting slip can cause panic and confusion. There are little boxes everywhere and a host of figures that mean nothing to the layman. If this sounds like you, then you’re in good hands. We’re going to break it all down into bite-sized chunks and show you how to get started.
What makes a great football betting site
A great site needs to have a mixture of things. It can’t rely on just one aspect as this never creates a fantastic, all-round experience for the customers. Not every brand gets it right. And it’s our job to work out which ones are ticking all the right boxes.
Our team of experts have spent a long time assessing every last detail and leave no stone unturned. As soon as a new brand comes along, they pounce on it and see what it’s made of. If it can hold its own, then we release the details of that bookie right here on this page.
Let’s jump straight in and take a look at what makes a site a big hit with the fans.
Wide array of football betting markets
Years ago, you could place a bet on very few markets on match day. The match winners and perhaps the final score were your basic selections. But that’s all changed, and the range of available bets has exploded in recent times.
Deciding where to place a bet often has a lot to do with the available markets for many customers. There’s so much action to be enjoyed in 90 minutes and they want a site that can offer them ways to do it. You’ll find that any decent bookie will have an incredible betting selection up for grabs.
Solid selection of football events to bet on
And it’s not just the range of bets available during the match that is important. All over the world, there are tons of fantastic leagues and tournaments taking place. And football fans like to have the chance to place some bets on a variety of these different events.
In Europe, for example, there is a huge range of competitions between the top-flight teams from each country. These matches take place most of the year and there’s barely a month that goes by when you don’t have an exciting match to wager on.
If a bookie doesn’t present all of these options to their customers, then it’s unlikely that they will make it onto our site
Bonuses and free bets for new players
In recent years, competition in the gambling industry, in general, has become extremely tough. This rings true for casinos, bingo and sport betting as well.
As a result, brands have had to offer a little extra to new customers. It’s hard to stand out from the crowd. But giving away free money usually does the trick!
There are many different incentives that the bookmaker can throw at you to get you through the door. And we’re going to take a look at all of them in a lot more detail a little later on.
Bonuses specific for football bets
But these bonuses don’t have to be generic deals. It is also possible to give football fans exactly what they want. And that may well be a welcome bonus that comes in the form of football-specific football betting offers.
Enhanced football betting odds or even free bets on football matches are a perfect way for betting websites to show a new customer their appreciation. And this is also true for existing customers as well. Everyone loves to receive a little extra during the month.
Live betting and streaming
Live betting and streaming are two increasingly important elements of any top sports betting site.
Customers love to be able to watch the match and see how the action is unfolding. This gives you a great idea of what may happen in the second half, for example.
At this point, you need a selection of in-play bets. So you can make a prediction for the latter stages of the game. And we love to see betting websites that can facilitate this.
Odds and pricing
No two odds are created equal. And from site to site, you will find that there is a slight variation.
Football betting sites need to work hard to stay competitive with their prices. There are so many others working on the same markets that it can be difficult to offer any kind of competitive edge.
But it isn’t impossible though. And the bookie that works hard to give its customers a slightly better deal is always worth considering.
Bet builders
And what’s better than placing a bet? Creating your own of course!
As you know, there’s a range of standard bets that can be placed on any football match. And each of these outcomes will have their own specific set of odds set by the bookies.
But it is also possible to take a few of these outcomes and place them all into a linked bet.
This is an awesome opportunity to create a very specific bet for you. You may decide that you want to bet on several different football matches or several different outcomes from one game in particular. And a top bookie will give you the chance to take advantage of this.
Football betting site of the week
William Hill
William Hill is a renowned bookmaker based in the UK, known for providing betting services on a global scale. Established in 1934, it has significantly expanded its operations over the years, offering numerous online and retail betting opportunities on a variety of sports and gaming events.
- One of the UK’s biggest bookmakers
- Offers casino, sports betting, bingo and poker
- Great selection of odds and markets
With its extensive array of betting options and user-friendly online platform, William Hill provides a comprehensive and convenient gaming experience that caters to both novice and experienced bettors. It’s also a well known brand, so you can always feel that you’re safe when you’re betting here.
Important betting markets for football
There are a ton of fantastic betting opportunities to be found on today’s football matches. And having the chance to have a flutter on all of these is an exciting prospect.
There are some more traditional bets that have been long-standing favourites for many years. And there are others that present a more advanced form of modern wagering.
Win-draw-win
The most basic market that you can find on a football match is of course the match winner. You can decide who will win or go for the draw you prefer.
Each of these will present their own prices. And naturally, the more likely the outcome, the lower the odds will be. It’s not necessary to have any specialist knowledge of the teams. Save, a general idea of who the better team may be. And most armchair football fans will have a pretty good idea.
This makes it a great market that is open for everybody.
First goal scorer
And if you have a little more individual knowledge of the players, then you could always go for the first goalscorer option.
It’s usually a safe bet to go for the team’s main striker. But if they are not enjoying a good run of form at the moment, then good prices can be found on some of the other players.
Having a few stats up your sleeve could also play a big part in making correct predictions with this type of bet. Some players will enjoy scoring several goals against the same club. There is no explanation for it; it just seems to happen for them every time. And a little bit of knowledge in this respect can pay dividends when making your bet selection.
Double chance
If you have a pretty good inkling about the outcome of a match but there is something telling you that it may go either way, then you may want to buy yourself a little insurance.
And this is where the double chance bet comes into its own.
By betting on two possible outcomes for any match, you are increasing the odds of getting it right. But you’re also lowering the value of that bet.
You can effectively bet on either team to win or alternatively one team to win or draw the game. This type of bet is particularly useful if it is included among a range of bets in an accumulator, for example.
Correct score
At the start of the match, everybody has an idea about how they think the result will go. But guessing the exact score is a different thing entirely.
You’ll probably have a general idea, but to get it right is an extremely hard thing to do. Results of previous matches between the two teams can prove useful. But at the end of the day, every match is individual and you never really know.
It’s a bet that involves a great deal of luck. But understanding a team’s recent run of form can help you decide if they are likely to score lots of goals or not.
What are the biggest football leagues?
There are several big leagues and cup competitions that you can bet on during the season. They play all over the world but some of the very best take part right here in the UK and Europe.
These leagues attract millions of viewers from all over the world. And pretty much every day of the week for around 10 months of the year you can find top football action. And you can catch it all right here on your laptop or mobile.
Betting on these leagues has increased dramatically over the last few years. And thanks to the number of football betting sites hitting the scene, it is now possible to get online and take your pick of the bets.
United Kingdom – Premier League
Undoubtedly, the biggest league in the world is the EPL. It features the top 20 teams from England and Wales who battle it out for the coveted trophy of Premier League Champion each year. There are a few bigger clubs who always make a challenge for the top spot. But the beauty of this league is that it’s never a done deal from the start.
Some leagues have a fairly finite choice of one or two clubs that can win. But the EPL has so many top clubs that it’s possible for several of them to make a realistic bid each year.
Betting on this league is a worldwide affair with millions of pounds at stake in every corner of the globe.
Italy – Serie A
Since 2009, the Italian main domestic league has been a very predictable show. With Juventus winning the title for 9 years in a row, it was starting to lose support to other more exciting leagues elsewhere in Europe.
But in 2024, the competitors bounced back and Inter Milan managed to muscle their way back in. And AC Milan also showed that they are back and ready to contest the top spot.
It’s a league steeped in tradition with a huge global following. It started out in the late 1800s with Genoa being the most powerful force at the time. But now the likes of Internazionale, AC Milan and Napoli are far more likely to reign victorious.
France – Ligue 1
The French domestic league is another great spectacle for betting fans. There are some top teams contesting the title. Although Paris Saint Germain has become the most dominant force in recent years. They weren’t founded until the 1970s. But since then, they have enjoyed huge financial backing and have spent billions to secure their place as the number 1 team in the county.
There was a shock league win for Lille during the last campaign and Monaco FC also grab the headlines occasionally too.
The league is fairly predictable but it has just enough variety to keep you on your toes. So still a good choice for those who love a flutter. Not to mention that some of the greatest players of all time can be seen on the pitch each week!
Spain – La Liga
For many, the second most exciting league in the world is the Spanish Liga. It used to be a 2 horse race with Barcelona and Real Madrid challenging each other for the title. But the last few years has seen the competition open up to several other clubs.
Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Real Sociedad are all now challenging for a place among the greats. Recent finance issues hit the Catalan giants pretty hard over the last 12 months so don’t expect to see Barcelona making much of a play for the title in the 21/22 season.
Games are often played later in the evening due to the heat in Spain. So you can always enjoy a flutter on this league and a pint at your local on a Saturday night as the two coincide!
Germany – Bundesliga
If you’re looking for a fairly predictable league bet, then look no further! Bayern Munich is comfortably the best team in this league by a mile. Borussia Dortmund are worthy challengers but seem unlikely to take the title any time soon.
There are still some great games to be found every week and some awesome football to enjoy. Lewandowski and Muller at Bayern along with Haaland at Dortmund and Dani Olmo at FC Leipzig always keep the crowds coming back for more. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’ve never done so before. And the majority of UK bookies will be happy to take bets on this league and all the other major European ones too.
Champions League
Bringing together all the best teams in Europe to fight it out for the title of European Champions. This league started back in the mid-50s as the European Cup and changed names in the early 90s.
Some of the best games you’ll ever see are played out mid-week during the domestic season. With the giants of European football going head to head. Real Madrid is the most successful club in history with 13 titles. And all other clubs fall way short of this accomplishment.
It consists of 32 teams with a league stage followed by a knockout round that eventually leads to the final. Each year, a different country or area is selected to host the tournament final and semi-finals.
It presents a ton of top betting action and is a firm favourite among many punters.
Free bets and bonuses
There are plenty of free bets and offers available for fans who are looking to sign up for a new account. The Bookies are keen to get new customers on board and are happy to part with a little cash upfront.
Some of these offers may require you to spend some cash first. But there are others that you can get your hands on for simply signing up for a new account.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular promos that you will find when joining up with a new site.
Free bet promotions
A free bet is something that is sure to grab the attention of football fans. Without needing to part with any cash, you could get yourself a bet on the game of your choice or perhaps one selected by the bookie.
You won’t find too many restrictions with a bet of this type. However, you will probably need to place a bet of a certain value or higher. And if you win, then your money can be used to place more bets. Sometimes you may be allowed to cash out the winnings.
It’s always best to read the promo details very carefully to make sure you fully understand the deal. Knowing what you can and can’t do with bonus cash and bets is always the key to taking full advantage.
Matched deposit bonuses
To land yourself some of the biggest bonuses at online football betting sites, look no further than the matched deposit.
When you sign up for a new account with qualifying bookies, you will be able to make a deposit and see the same amount added to your bonus balance at the same time.
Deals like this will come with a few restrictions. But it’s always great to have extra cash to play with regardless of any rules placed on the offer.
Check the terms and conditions to see exactly how much you can get on top when making a deposit. It’s not unheard of to see some pretty decent sums of bonus cash come your way as a result.
Acca bets
An accumulator or acca bet, as they are popularly known, is a fun and exciting bet type to pursue.
It involves placing several bets and hoping that you get each and every one right to eventually walk away with some big winnings.
Landing one of these as part of a new customer promotion won’t see huge stakes available. However, they are still worth having and can give you some extra cash in your bonus balance.
In-play betting and streaming
In-play betting with live streaming has become the envy of the betting world.
Many of the top brands will offer this service so betting enthusiasts won’t have to search far to get what they are often.
In fact, it has become so popular in recent years that it’s hard to imagine any of the larger brands not offering these bet types to the punters.
In-play bets
When placing a bet before a game you face many obstacles. Lots of things can change after the first few minutes and the whole dynamic of the match can be completely different in an instant.
Having the luxury of watching the first part of the game unfold gives you a better chance to make a prediction.
Placing a bet during the game may not get you such good odds as you could have got from the start. But it’s still a cracking way to have a flutter.
There’s a great variety of in-play bets available. Some of them that you may not have ever considered before.
Live streamed events
And if you are going to place bets during the game, then it’s probably a good idea to be watching the match at the same time.
TV football packages in the UK can be an extremely costly purchase. By placing a bet at your favourite bookies, you can have the opportunity to watch the match at the same time without paying for the privilege.
This type of service has become increasingly popular in recent years. So you can find a great selection of football betting sites that will happily oblige.
Mobile betting sites for football
Mobile gambling is the latest and most convenient way to enjoy all the betting action. It’s no longer necessary to be stuck in one place to have a flutter. You can access your account and even enjoy live-streamed events while on the move.
It comes as a standard offering from many of the best-recognised brands. And most of the sites that you’ll find listed here on this page also have mobile play up for grabs.
When playing on your phone or other mobile devices, you generally have 2 ways to access the action.
Mobile apps for betting
Lots of big-named bookies have developed their own best betting app for football that customers can download directly to their phones. Having the essential site data stored on your phone makes the whole process incredibly fast.
Your account is ready for you to use in just the same way as it is by connecting through the bookie’s website. And sometimes you may even find a specific bonus aimed at customers who download the app. So keep an eye out for these while browsing your favourite sites.
Playing directly in your browser
The alternative to playing via an app is to simply connect to your mobile internet browser and type in the web address for the bookmaker. It may be an extra step than the above method but it’s no hardship really.
It can take a little longer to have all your details up on the screen as the webpage needs to load manually. But when you’re connected, you’ll find that the website is perfectly optimised for any sized screen. You won’t lose any of the visual quality that you’ve come to expect.
Beginners guide to football betting
It is always great having plenty of places to play. But when the choice is so large it can seem a little overwhelming. You need to have a plan of attack so that you can find the very best sites to use.
Trial and error is one way to do it. But it is often a better idea to seek some advice from professionals like us, for example.
Below, we will share with you a few helpful hints and top football tips to get you started on the right path to finding the perfect site and placing savvy bets.
Research and find the best bookmakers
You should always do your research. And that means checking out what other people think about the available bookies. You can take a look at the various bookie review sites as well as consumer reviews to see what individual experiences have been like.
The internet is full of reviews and opinions so you won’t have to go far to discover candid details. But you should never take just one person’s opinion and run with it. You need to seek a broad range of views to make sure that you come to the right decision.
Find the best betting sites bonuses on Casino.xyz
Something else that you need to look out for is the types of football betting sites offers available. One of the best ways to do that is to check out our list of top providers on this page. Every site listing will come complete with details of any welcome offers available.
You could go off in search of each one and check them out individually. But why bother when we have done all of the legwork for you. Our team of reviewers go through each and every site to see what’s available. We keep our lists up-to-date and present you with the very best and current options.
Did you know we also have a Swedish section for both casino and sportsbooks?
Only bet on teams and events you know
And when you have decided where you would like to place your bets, the next step is choosing which top football bets you wish to have a wager on.
There are hundreds of different bets available for the top football matches. And this can make your life as a newbie quite difficult. Our advice to you is to go for what you know. By placing bets on teams and leagues that you are familiar with you will give yourself a head start.
There is no point in trying to become an expert in a brand new league that you’ve never heard of from the beginning. When you have become an expert in your field, then you may want to think about moving on to other far-flung competitions.
Finding value bets
And as you become more familiar with the prices available at your favourite bookies, you’ll start to understand that there is value to be found in certain bets.
The best betting sites UK have to make an informed decision as to the outcome of many different markets every single day. And sometimes they don’t get it quite right. They will be in the general ballpark. But they may be offering slightly better odds than they perhaps should.
If you can spot when a site has been extra generous with the price of some bets, then there is extra money to be made. This is where knowing your stuff really comes into play.
Bet on basic markets that are easy to understand
Finally, don’t try to overcomplicate things. Sticking to simple markets that you understand is key -especially in the beginning. If you are confident about making predictions for match-winners or top goal scorers, for example, then stick to those types of bets for the time being.
When you can successfully navigate these markets and earn yourself some decent profits, then it’s time to move on to some other more intricate wagers.
Some new fans go hell for leather from the start and select a crazy amount of bet types. They like to get involved with the number of cards, corners, free-kicks, shots on target and everything in between. But it rarely proves to be a successful method trying to make so many small predictions. Become a master of one area before you think about expanding your skill-set.
Payment options for football bet sites
Now that you have hopefully decided where you would like to get a new betting account, it’s time to think about how to move your money into your balance.
Thankfully, there are many different ways to get your cash moving. Top payment providers work with all the top betting companies to give you security and convenience when making a deposit.
Debit cards (VISA, Mastercard)
Anyone with a bank account will be familiar with using a debit card. They have been in use for many years and provide one of the fastest and safest ways to make a payment. Anywhere you see the Visa and Mastercard logos, you are able to get cash from your bank account and into your betting account.
Making a deposit in this way is usually fairly instant. And you are also able to make withdrawals back the other way. Be aware that payments in this direction are usually a little slower. It can take 1 or 2 days to complete this transaction back to your bank.
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards are yet another effective option for funding your online betting account. Prepaid cards such as Paysafecard, AstroPay, or Neosurf can be purchased at retail locations or online and offer a practical and secure method for depositing funds into your betting account. One of the main advantages of prepaid cards is that they allow for increased control over spending, as you can only spend the amount loaded onto the card.
Moreover, since these cards are not linked to your bank account or credit card, they offer an additional layer of privacy and security. Deposits with prepaid cards are generally instant, making it a convenient choice for those who want to start betting immediately. However, do note that withdrawals to prepaid cards are typically not possible, so you’ll need an alternative method for retrieving your winnings.
Bank transfer
Bank transfers are perhaps the safest way to fund the best football bets. There are many security protocols in place to ensure that your cash is kept safe at all times. The downside to using this payment method is the time it takes to get the cash into your bookie’s balance. It’s not unheard of for these payments to take up to 1 week.
However, there are now options for instant transfers which you can find at some of the top football betting sites.
e-Wallets (Skrill, Paypal, Neteller)
Electronic wallets have been around for a couple of decades. They provide a way of keeping cash stored digitally that can then be moved conveniently to a bookies or other product/service provider.
It is easy to top funds up into your electronic account. There are usually small fees to do so but it is often only a couple of percent. The great thing about this product is that you are able to use currencies all around the world and processing is instant.
Pay by mobile
Getting money out of your mobile phone credit or monthly bill is also a top way to pay. But not as many people have heard about this convenient method. It’s super fast and simple to perform the transaction and you don’t need a bank account to use it.
Simply head to the cashier section and select the option to pay by mobile. You can then enter your mobile number and select the amount to deposit.
Remember that there is a maximum of £10 per transaction. And a limit of 3 times in one day that you can do this.
Credit cards are no longer allowed in the UK
Since early 2020, credit card payments have been banned in the UK when playing at any type of gambling site. There were issues surrounding excess spending when playing with credit funds rather than debit cards etc. So if you’re looking for this method in the UK, then you’re out of luck, unfortunately.
However, some sites that are licensed outside the UK still accept credit cards, even if the player is located in the UK.
Are you interested in other sports as well?
Football is the biggest sport in the world, so naturally people like to bet on the sport. But there are plenty of other big sports out there. We have put together guides for most of them. Have a look at our other guides below:
FAQ
There’s a lot to take in when it comes to betting at your favourite football site. It can be quite complicated at first glance. But you’ll soon get the hang of it. If you need a little more info, then check out the FAQs below.
