How do I bet on Football Matches?

As with horseracing there is a multitude of betting options available to punters who like to have a flutter on football.

One of the most appealing factors with regard to football betting is that even when a game appears to be a mismatch - i.e. a Premiership club taking on a non-league side for example - there is still always value to be had in some shape or form.

Popular bets include predicting the correct score, the first goalscorer or the total number of goals in any given match. In most cases, such bets - and match result betting markets - excludes extra time and penalties where this could be applicable, like in the knockout stages of a cup competition.

Bookmakers will often form ad hoc markets to broaden punters' options in this case - enabling clients to back a team to win in extra time or on penalties.

Another popular bet amongst football punters is the double result market, whereby you predict the outcome at half time and at full time in one bet.

As an example, in a match between Arsenal and Chelsea, if a punter was of the opinion that the sides would be level at half time, but Chelsea would gain the upper hand after the interval, he/she could opt for draw/Chelsea. If indeed the teams are even at the point of the half time whistle but Chelsea go onto win, then the punter collects.

There are a plethora of ante-post betting options too. Bookmakers offer prices about the winner of virtually every league, in addition winners of cup competitions such as the Champions League, the FA Cup and, of course, international tournaments.

Each-way terms are available, generally offered at a third of the odds, and are based on the first two places. In essence, an each-way bet on the outcome of the Premiership would be a winning one if your selection were to finish first or second.

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