Best Football Betting Sites UK 2024
Football betting sites, such as Bet365 and William Hill, offer punters competitive odds and numerous betting markets. These platforms provide users real-time statistics, including win probabilities and player performance metrics. Many bettors appreciate features like live streaming and cash-out options, which enhance the overall betting experience. Below are the top Football Betting Sites in UK:
BetMGM UK
- Welcome Bonus
Selected Customers only. 100% Profit Boost on Liverpool vs Manchester City Bet Builders. Offer runs 12:00 29/11/24 – 16:00 01/12/24. Min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max stake £5. Max win £5k. Cashed out or voided bets do not qualify. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. 18+. Full T&Cs apply.
Midnite
- Welcome Bonus
18+ New customers only. Bet £10+ on pre-match accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get 4x £5 Free Bets and 50 Free Spins, valid for 7 days on selected bets and games only. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Boylesports
- Exclusive Offer
- Welcome Bonus
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile Exclusive. £30 in FREE Bets (FB) as £20 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. T&Cs Apply 18+. Get Paid out as a winner if your team is winning by 2 goals, even if they draw or lose. 90 mins only. T&C’s apply
CopyBet
- Exclusive Offer
- Welcome Bonus
Full T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. The qualifying bet should be either a Single or Acca (2+ selections) bet, start at £10, have 1.9 or greater odds and must be settled within 7 days of sign-up. 5 Free bets which must be placed with a min odds of 2 include: 1 x £10 Free bet on any Pre-match Football game (single); 1 x £10 Free Bet for Horse Racing (single); 1 x £10 Free Bet for Acca (min 2 selections) Bet on any sport; 1 x £10 Free Bet for Acca (min 3 selections) Bet on any sport; 1 x £10 Free Bet for Acca (min 4 selections) Bet on any sport. Max payout – £500. 7 day expiry. To unlock the offer, complete the first deposit via the banking app (Open banking). 18+. GambleAware.com
Paddy Power
- Welcome Bonus
New customer offer. Place a max £1 bet on the Match odds market on Man City to beat Liverpool, Sunday, December 1st. Winnings paid in cash at normal odds and are topped up to the enhanced price in Free Bets. Free bets are valid 7 days, only deposits with cards & Apple Pay are eligible. Excludes multiples & in-play bets. T&C’s apply. Please gamble responsibly.
Sky Bet
- Welcome Bonus
New customers only. Min/max stake £1. Free bets credited on top of winning within 72 hours. First single and e/w bet only. 5 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bet exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bet expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
Bet365
- Exclusive Offer
- Welcome Bonus
New Customers only Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between £5* & £10* to your account & bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value & they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet & payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply.
Betano
- Welcome Bonus
18+ New customers only. Opt and bet £1 on Liverpool OR Manchester City – Match Betting – 90mins by 16:00 on 01.12.2024. Get Enhanced odds paid in Free Bets, which expire in 7 days after accreditation. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly
EasyBet: Bet £20 and Get £20 in free bets
- Welcome Bonus
New Customers Only. Sign up to easyBet with Bonus Code: EB20. Bet and settle £20 on at least two events at odds of 2.0 or more. Qualified users will get 4 x £5 free bets on markets listed on promotional page only. Exclusions apply. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.
Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Dragon Bet
- Exclusive Offer
- Welcome Bonus
This promotion is for new customers only.- Customers must be 18+.- This promotion is only available to Welsh residents.- Sign Up using the promo code bet15get10 and make a minimum deposit of £15.- Place a minimum £15 bet on any selection with minimum odds of evens (2.0) and receive a £10 free bet within 24 hours of bet settlement. GambleAware.Org
New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
More than 170 active sportsbooks offer football betting to players, covering the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, and more. This choice is good news for betting fans, as you can now choose your bookmaker based on what is most important to you as a customer, be that excellent price boosts, the most user-friendly interface, or the most competitive odds.
Choosing the top betting site can be quite challenging, with so many factors to consider. Thankfully, the team at Squawka has done the legwork to narrow down the top, most trusted football betting sites. There’s plenty to consider regarding the sites’ safety and reputation, odds quality, and live streaming capabilities.
New players looking to sign up for the best football sites available this year can claim a range of top welcome promotions, odds boosts, and free bets.
Top Football Betting Sites in UK
1. Bet365: Best Overall Football Betting Site
New customers at Bet365 can get £30 in free bets when registering an account after an initial deposit of between £5 and £10. Bet365 has an extensive sportsbook packed with global football betting options. Their market depth for big matches is exemplary, with many pre-match and in-play options covered by cash-out.
Find pre-match Bet Boosts on curated bets, and the Bet365 Extra zone highlights fantastic promotions for football betting, like their 0-0 Bore Draw refund, acca boost, and the Bet365 2-Goals Ahead bonus, which settles a winning bet early if the backed team opens up a two-goal lead at any stage. With live streaming, bet builders, and an app for both Android and iOS, Bet365 delivers the complete package.
2. SBK: Best Football Betting App
SBK has a dedicated mobile betting app, available for Android and Apple devices. Registration comes with a Bet £10 Get £30 welcome bonus offer. A main feature of the SBK app is Price+, which shows when SBK is beating select competitors’ prices in a particular market—excellent transparency that can help punters.
SBK offers competitive football betting odds powered by the Smarkets betting exchange. The app is smooth to operate and fast and contains plenty of Bet Builder Boosts and Win Boosts. Navigation is straightforward through the bottom menu, as is access to ‘My Bets,’ where cash-out offers are located.
3. CopyBet: Best New Football Betting Site
At CopyBet, punters can copy a betting strategy from tipsters. Tipsters on the platform are rated, and their insights can be emulated using the convenient “Football Today” menu link that leads to the latest tips.
CopyBet typically has 400+ bet options available pre-match for big games, including pre-match and in-play Bet Builders. Football coverage is strong, with options like cash-out and combo bets easy to come by. CopyBet also lists pre-built Daily Accas, which have a win bonus if successful. They have apps for Android and Apple available.
4. SkyBet: Best Football Betting Welcome Offer
Ranking as the best football betting welcome offer is the SkyBet £30 in Free Bets promotion. While that’s a standard bonus value, the SkyBet deal only requires a 5p minimum stake to qualify. That’s the minimum bet they accept, so any wager qualifies.
The bonus comes as 3 x £10 bet tokens, which expire in 30 days. Sky Bet also has a 2 UP-Early Payout promotion and a feature called Acca Freeze, where a winning score in an acca leg can be frozen to ensure it wins. With RequestABet, Cash-Outs, and pre-match and in-play Bet Builders, the Sky Bet football betting experience is strong.
5. BoyleSports: Best Betting Site For Football In-Play Betting
In-play football betting is an essential element, and BoyleSports delivers well with a fast app for Android and iOS. The operator’s in-play football betting covers all the top tournaments, such as the EPL, Champions League, and plenty more. An early payout feature covers many live markets.
Live football betting includes a wide range of markets, such as Goals Over, 1st Half Goals Over, BTTS, correct score, and next goalscorer. The in-play graphics look great and come packed with in-game stats, plus extras like head-to-head and current league standings. The site offers live streaming, and new customers can get a £10 Get £40 welcome offer.
6. Grosvenor: Betting Site With The Most Football Betting Markets
The football betting coverage at Grosvenor is outstanding, and there are typically 600+ pre-match bet options, including a Bet Builder. The extensive football betting markets cover everything from Double Chance to Player Shots, Player Assists, Goals, Corners, Cards and more.
The user interface is very user-friendly, and there is a Grosvenor app for iOS and Android.
Plenty of enhanced odds are available for football betting, and new customers can get double odds on the first bet on an account.
7. Betway: Best Premier League Betting Site
Established bookmaker Betway has some of the most extensive Premier League betting options, including plenty of Betway Boosts for curated bets. There are pre-match specials to look through, adding to the usual betting markets like the popular Match Result and Total Goals.
Another positive aspect is the high volume of Premier League football betting markets like Draw No Bet, HT/FT, and Handicaps covered by the Betway cash-out tool. The Bet Builder feature is available on all Premier League matches, both pre-match and in-play. The Betway app for iOS and Android delivers fast in-play betting, live streaming, and cash-out options.
8. Unibet: Best For Football Live Streaming
Unibet is great for live football streaming, with thousands of events shown through its platform yearly. The live streams are free and can be watched on a computer or through the Unibet app, which is downloadable for any device. The Unibet in-play betting experience is extensive and has a fantastic-looking interface.
Live markets don’t suffer extended blackouts during refreshes, and a good selection of rapid markets is available. Unibet has plenty of odds boost options among the 500+ pre-match bets for big matches, plus there are daily Bet Builder boosts and a welcome bonus offer of up to £40 back.
9. BetMGM: Bookmaker With The Best Football Odds
Despite being one of the newer sites on this list, BetMGM consistently delivers excellent football betting odds and is competitive against other operators on this list. With bookmaker margins on the outright market for Premier League matches typically around the 104-105% mark, there is impressive odds value for punters.
BetMGM has a good Create-A-Bet feature, a top range of Specials, and more unique markets, such as Goal Time. Good in-depth stats are available for football betting, and the bookmaker runs a daily selection of Feature Bets alongside price boosts. New players can get a Bet £10 Get £40 Welcome Bonus offer from BetMGM.
10. Paddy Power: Bookmaker With The Best Football Bet Builder
Paddy Power offers excellent Premier League coverage, with Power Prices across various bet options. The price boosts add to the sportsbook’s already competitive football betting odds, and their bet builder tool also stands out. Paddy Power offers a multi-match Bet Builder feature, allowing users to combine Bet Builder selections from different matches into one bet.
They also have Bet Builder price boosts and a £20 Back welcome bonus for new customers to claim. A range of other football betting promotions, like Early Payout, Super Sub, enhanced W-D-W markets, and a Money Back Special, if a backed player is substituted before half-time, add extra.
11. Kwiff: Fastest Payout Football Betting Site
There are speedy payouts at Kwiff, ranging from the same day to up to 3 days for cards, while e-wallets like PayPal offer instant withdrawals (after Kwiff’s verification checks, typically done within 24 hours). Kwiff is a simple-to-use site, and the operator is well known for supercharging bets, which is called getting “Kwiffed”.
Football betting coverage is good. Kwiff offers excellent in-play betting, including fantastic in-game stats and a nice infographic interface depicting the flow of a game. New customers can claim a Bet £10 Get £30 Surprise Bet as a welcome bonus, and there is an app for both Android and Apple devices.
12. Ladbrokes: Best Football Betting Site For Acca Insurance
There is a full suite of football betting options at Ladbrokes. The first big positive is the extensive coverage of competitions, plus the tremendous variety of markets and bet options within them. Ladbrokes is excellent for posting early markets for Premier League futures, coupled with some competitive football betting odds. An easy-entry Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets offer greets new players.
They are a trusted, well-known brand, and the Ladbrokes sportsbook can be accessed through their mobile app for iOS or Android for quick in-play coverage. Ladbrokes has excellent accumulator promotions for football betting, covering boosts and insurance, and a tracker where you can cash out and edit bets pre-match or in-play.
13. Betfair: Best Exchange Betting Football Bookie
Betfair is the original and best sports betting exchange for football betting. The wagering options on the exchange are just unrivalled, thanks to its massive user base, which is the backbone of the peer-to-peer betting system.
There’s sometimes unmatchable odds value to be found if getting the right option paired up, and there are opportunities for hedging football betting strategy thanks to the lay markets. There is a fixed odds sportsbook alongside the exchange and a welcome bonus offer of Bet £10 Get £30 for new customers.
14. Betfred: Top Bookmaker For Existing Customer Offers
Popular independent bookmaker Betfred is one of the leading football betting operators. It offers a wide range of football markets from a wealth of global competitions and is always strong for competitive odds value. Features like PickYourPunt, Bet Builder, and Cash-Out add to the experience.
Betfred offers ongoing value for existing customers through features like Acca Flex, Double Delight Hat Trick Heaven (pre-match and in-play), and a payout bonus if a team wins by at least 3 goals. Live streaming is available through the highly-rated Betfred mobile app for Apple and Android devices. Registration comes with a Bet £10 Get £40 welcome offer.
Comparing Football Betting Sites
| Betting Site | Welcome Offer | Key Features |
| Bet365 | Bet £10 get £30 | Welcome Bonus, Trusted Brand, Extensive Sportsbook, 0-0 Bore Draw Refund, Acca Boost, 2 Goals Ahead Bonus, Mobile Apps, Live Streaming, Enhanced Odds, Competitive Odds, Bet Builder, Cash Out |
| SBK | Bet £10 get £20 in free bets | Mobile App, Price Plus, Powered by Smarkets Exchange, Bet Builder Boosts, Cash Out, Welcome Bonus |
| CopyBet | Bet £10, get £40 in free bets | Welcome Bonus, Extensive Football Markets, Tipsters, Copy Betting Strategies, Bet Builders, Combo-Bets, Daily Accas, Price Boosts, Win Bonuses, Mobile Apps |
| Sky Bet | Get £30 in free bets from minimum 5p bet | Trusted brand, Value Welcome Bonus, Price Boosts, 2 UP Early Payout, RequestABet, Cash Out, Acca Freeze, Bet Builders, Live Streams |
| BoyleSports | Bet £10 get £10 in free bets plus £10 casino bonus | Excellent Variety Of Football Markets, In-play betting, Cash Out, Partial Cash Out, Early Payouts, Statistics, Live Streaming, Bet Builders. |
| Grosvenor | Double the odds for your first bet | Good Pre-Match Markets, Friendly User-Interface, Enhanced Odds, Mobile Apps, Double Odds Welcome Bonus, Bet Builders |
| Betway | £30 matched free bet if your first acca loses | Great Premier League markets, Betway Boosts, Pre-match Specials, Cash Out, Bet Builder, In-Play Betting, Live Streaming, Mobile Apps, Welcome Bonus |
| Unibet | Money back up to £40 if your first bet loses plus £10 casino bonus | Live Streaming, Live Betting, Statistics, Odds Boosts, Daily Bet Builder Boosts, Welcome Bonus Offer, Mobile App, Live betting, Promotions, Trusted Brand |
| BetMGM | Bet £10, get £40 in free bets | Competitive Football Odds, Good Bookie Margins, Price Boost, Featured Bets, Create A Bet, Specials, Statistics, Mobile App |
| Paddy Power | Bet £20 and get it back as cash if it loses | Well Established Brand, Live Streaming, live betting, bet Builder, Bet Builder Combo, Price Boosts, Super Sub, 2-UP Early Payout, Welcome Bonus, Competitive Odds, Blog |
| Kwiff | Bet £10 and get a £30 surprise bet | Supercharged bets, Fast Payouts, Live Betting, Welcome Bonus, Bet Builder, Live Betting, Mobile Apps |
| Ladbrokes | Bet £5 and get £20 in free bets | Established Trusted Brand, Mobile App, Accumulator Insurance, Accumulator Boost, Accumulator Edit, Cash Out, Live Betting, Live Streaming, Welcome Bonus |
| Betfair | Bet £10 get £30 in free bets | Betting Exchange, Fixed Odds, Lay Bets, Welcome Bonus, Fantastic Odds, User Forum, Blog, Mobile Apps, Bet Builder, Cash Out |
| Betfred | Get £40 in bonuses when you stake £10 | Acca Flex, Double Delight Hat Trick Heaven, Betting Apps, In-Play Betting, Enhanced Odds, Live Streaming, Cash-out, Bet Builders |
All offers 18+. GambleAware.org. New customers only, T&Cs apply, Stake not returned.
Which Are The Best New Football Betting Sites in 2024?
If 2024 taught us anything, it’s that football never sleeps. Whether there’s an international tournament, league football, a continental competition, domestic cups or rigorous pre-season schedules, the sport never truly takes a break. So, betting on football is always a popular choice among punters.
Some emerging bookmakers offer excellent football markets, from price boost accas to a newer trend of statistics-based odds.
Here are the latest Football betting sites to hit the UK market:
CopyBet
CopyBet is owned and operated by Copy Bet UK Ltd and registered with the UK Gambling Commission. It started operating in 2016, but it has only recently become established as a bigger platform. Copying tipsters’ strategies is its big angle, but it also offers features like cash-out, bet builder, accumulator bonuses, and a prediction challenge.
CopyBet Trustpilot reviews aren’t up-to-date and, therefore, hard to go by. However, CopyBet has a good sportsbook for football betting options; coverage and bet variety are good. There’s no live-streaming, but they hold up quite well in odds comparisons and have an app for iOS and Android. There is a Bet £10, get £40 in free bets welcome offer available.
AK Bets
AK Bet is owned by Star Racing Ltd and licensed by the UKGC. It began as an on-course bookmaker and launched its online sportsbook in early 2023. One of its unique features is the Phone-A-Bet tool, and there is also an AK Bets app for iOS and Android. The welcome bonus is a 25% boost on any sports acca, which is limiting as accas are high-risk bets.
A Bet Builder tool is available for football betting, but live streaming is limited to horse racing and greyhounds. We found tremendous 101-105% bookie margins on matches outright for intentional football matches, with their 5/6 on England beating many bookmakers who had them priced at 2/5. There’s a decent average review score of 3.3 on Trustpilot.
BetGoodwin
BetGoodwin is owned and operated by Goodwin Racing Limited and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. With a history of horse racing reaching the 1990s, the online sportsbook launched in 2022 and has mobile betting apps available. The BetGoodwin welcome bonus offer is 50% of the first day’s losses back up to £25, which isn’t the greatest in value but simple to claim.
Along with quick withdrawals, other stand-out features include Create A Bet, Cash Out, In-play, some unique Free Bet Refund bonuses, and live-streaming of racing and greyhounds. With extensive in-play betting, bet boosts, and specials, prayers seem to be warming well to BetGoodwin, which has a 3.8 rating on Trustpilot, citing positives like good customer service and quick payouts.
Fafabet
Fafabet is owned and operated by TaichiTech Limited and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Fafabet came onto the scene in 2021 with a user-friendly interface offering things like Feature Bets, Price Boosts, Bet Builder and Cash Out. They are competitive with odds but rarely have industry-best quotes. The FafaBet welcome bonus is up to £50 back as a free bet based on 50% of first-day losses (plus casino bonus).
They are good for football promotions like a bonus for a qualifying Create A Bet, Bore Draw Money Back, and a Daily Free Bet based on 5% of in-play football bets. There is decent but not extensive market variety for football matches and in-play betting, but no live streaming. Fafabet is a new site and is still gaining recognition among users.
Betzone
Betzone is owned and operated by Playbook Gaming Limited and licensed by the Gambling Commission. The site launched in 2021, and Betzone is still establishing its sportsbook services, with user reviews mostly related to their casino, not the sportsbook.
Football matches have good market coverage, and the in-play variety of bets is excellent.
Betzone also offers good futures for football betting. Match odds on the 1X2 market hover around the 105-108% average, so they are competitive, and Betzone has many qualifying markets for its Bet Builder feature. However, the welcome offer doesn’t scream value at Bet £30 Get £10.
talkSPORT BET
A name familiar to many football fans, talkSPORT BET have quickly established itself as a trusted online betting platform with a decent 3.5 rating on Trustpilot. talkSPORT BET is operated by the well-established BV Gaming, which holds a licence with the UK Gambling Commission. There are great football betting markets, and bet boosts throughout, with bookie margins well under the 110% threshold.
They have a Lucky Dip feature where the market is revealed, and entering the stake and spinning an RNG wheel will reveal the bet selection. A Bet Builder feature, Cash Out, and pre-built picks for various bets are available. The talkSPORT BET welcome bonus will triple the returns of a winning bet at even money odds or greater up to a £5 stake.
How to sign up with the top football betting sites
New players who have decided on a sportsbook they want to try can follow the steps below to get started with their welcome bonuses.
1. Visit the promotion landing page
The first step to joining any football-focused sportsbook is to click the link in our top betting site table to visit the promotion landing page.
These landing pages take potential players directly to the sports betting sites and give them a first taste of what’s on offer. Bettors get a feel for the sportsbook and check the offer terms and conditions before making their sign-up decision.
2. Click the “sign up” option
Once bettors have familiarised themselves with and are satisfied with the welcome offer’s terms and conditions, they can click the “sign up” or “join now” button on the site.
This typically redirects new players to a different page on the website, where they are greeted with a new player form.
3. Complete the onboarding form
All players looking to place a sports bet in the UK must complete the new player onboarding form. The welcome form will require new players to enter their personal information, including the following details:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Postal address
- Phone Number
- Email address
- Password
Betting sites typically use an independent third party to verify the identity of all players signing up to wager with the sportsbook. At this point, a small percentage of new players must supply additional documentation to fill in any missing details.
Required documentation may include a photographic ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, or proof of address, such as a recent council tax bill or bank statement. These documents can be uploaded as an image file via a document uploader on a sportsbook or by sending them over to the betting sites’s customer support team.
4. Deposit and claim the welcome offer
Once an account has been created and the player’s identity verified, new bettors can make their first deposit and claim the welcome offers available.
New players should note how welcome offers are claimed depending on the sportsbook of choice and available promotions. Some welcome offers require a deposit and a promo code, whereas others do not require a deposit and apply the promo code automatically.
Do all Bookmakers have a UKGC Licence?
The Gambling Commission must license bookmakers targeting customers in Great Britain. If they don’t meet the rules, the UKGC can use their regulatory powers to take action against them. Unlicensed bookmakers exist but should be avoided as no one oversees them.
How to Bet on Football in the UK
Here are a few basic steps for placing a football bet, regardless of the bookmaker used.
- Pick A Bookmaker – Select from our list of the best football betting sites for a licenced, regulated operator.
- Register – Complete a simple registration form with verifiable information such as your full name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email.
- Check Welcome Bonus Details – Read the key T&Cs to ensure you are prepared for all the steps required to claim the offer, such as the deposit method.
- Deposit – Go to the account and look for a Deposit link. Select a qualifying payment option for the welcome bonus and make a minimum deposit.
- Browse The Sportsbook – Download the Bookmaker app or use their website to browse the football section. Upcoming fixtures and current in-play games will be on the home page.
- Pick Bets – Click on the odds of the pre-match or in-play bet you want to place, which will send the selection to the bet slip. Repeat for as many selections as necessary.
- Stake – On the bet slip, enter the value of the stake. Click the button to place the bet.
- Cash Out Offers – Check in ‘My Bets’ when your fixture has started to see if you have a Cash Out offer. Click on the offer to accept it and settle the bet early.
Can I change or cancel a bet after placing it?
No. Once the bet is struck, it cannot be altered. The exception is an Acca Edit feature like at Ladbrokes, where legs can be added or removed from an active accumulator.
How Football Betting Odds Work and What They Mean
Odds reflect the implied probability of an outcome as determined by the bookmaker. Whether read in fractional or decimal, the implied probability is the same.
2/1 fractional odds, for example, are 3.0 as decimal odds, which equates to a 33.3% implied probability. Bookmakers work their profit margin into a market called the overround. That means the combined implied probability of a 1×2 football market won’t add up to precisely 100; it will be something like 105, with the extra being the cut the bookie takes.
A favourite below the even money line, like a 2/5 option, is deemed odds-on, while a selection above, such as 3/1, is odds-against.
Fractional Odds: Options like 4/7 and 3/1 are seen in fractional odds. The first number is how much the bet will win from the relative unit of stake (second number). So for 4/7 odds, for every 7 units staked, 4 would be won. In 3/1 odds, for every 1 unit staked, 3 would be won. A bet calculator is handy for fractional odds.
Decimal Odds: In Decimal odds, the 2.0 option represents even money. So anything under 1.5 or 1.8 is odds-on, while options like 2.5 or 5.0 are odds-against. The returns from decimal odds can be calculated by multiplying the stake by the odds. So, a £10 bet at 1.8 returns £18.00 (£8 profit and £10 stake).
Most Popular Types of Football Betting Markets
While it’s possible to find multiple markets for football betting, there are main ones that punters tend to gravitate to.
- Match Result – The result of a match – a home win, draw or away win.
- Over/Under Goals—The total number of goals in the match. The Over/Under 2.5 Goals option is the most popular, but the line can be moved to options like Under 1.5 Goals or Over 3.5 Goals.
- Correct Score – The exact final score like a 3-1 home win.
- Half-Time Result – This is like the match result market, but it is the state of play at the Half-Time whistle, like a Draw.
- Half-Time/Full-Time – The status of the game at both half-time and full-time, like a Draw/Home Win. Both factors have to be exact.
- Draw No Bet – An option that cuts the Match Result market to a 2-way by eliminating the Draw option. If the backed team draws, the stake is returned, but if they win, the bet settles as a win.
- Bet Builders – A same-game multi-created from markets like Total Corners, Match Result, and Player To Have 2+ Shots On Target.
- Handicaps – A Brighton -1.5 handicap requires them to win the game by two clear goals. An Everton +1.5 handicap requires them not to lose by more than one goal.
- First, Last and Anytime Goalscorer – A selected player to either score the opening goal, the last goal or just anytime during a match.
- Total Corners – Like the total goals market, the Total Corners option is an over/under on the tally and can also be for a specific half or team only.
- Winning Margin – The exact winning margin, like a Chelsea 1 Goal Winning Margin requiring the Blues to win by no more or less than a 1 goal advantage.
Most Popular Types of Football Bets
Along with the popular markets, there are also different football bets to explore.
- Win Single – Selecting one option from a market, like a Draw in a Match Result market.
- Double – Combining two outcomes, such as the winners of two Premier League matches, with both selections needing to win.
- Treble – Combining three outcomes, like picking three winning teams from FA Cup betting. All three sections have to win.
- Accumulators – Anything above a treble is called an accumulator. A 5-fold refers to the number of selections in the bet, and the odds of each leg accumulate for a bigger total. All legs have to win.
- Multi-Bets – Multi-Bets are several selections covered by different types of wagers. A Lucky 15, for example, is four selections covered in full by four singles, six doubles, four trebles, and a four-fold acca.
- Forecast – The exact finishing order of two teams, like Manchester City – Liverpool in the Premier League.
- Tricast – The exact finishing order of three teams, like Manchester City – Liverpool – Arsenal in the final Premier League standings.
- Reverse Forecast and Tricast – A reverse of a forecast or tricast is the selected teams finishing in any order.
Football In-Play Betting
In-play betting can give more control over bet selections. A pre-match wager for Chelsea to beat Manchester United based on solid statistics research is excellent. Still, it must account for a team getting things tactically wrong or a star striker being injured after just five minutes.
Live odds allow bettors to react to live game circumstances with a betting strategy. Substitutions, for example, could influence a game at 0-0 after 75 minutes. A bet on the Match Result or Over/Under could be made at that point. Backing a team to win outright from 0-0 after 75 minutes will see them at better odds than pre-match.
A backed pre-match favourite fallen behind in the first 30 minutes could also present the right odds to back the pre-match underdog team with a live bet to hedge that initial wager. Patience is the best strategy for in-play betting. Waiting for as long as possible with the game at 0-0 shifts market odds on options like Over 1.5 Goals and the Match Result to better positions.
Which Football Betting Sites Offer Live Streaming?
Live-streaming is a great way to keep up with the latest action, which can influence the bets made live in-play. Here’s a list of where you can catch some.
| Bookmaker | Football Live Streaming Available? | Live Stats Available? |
| Bet365 | Yes | Yes |
| SBK | No | Yes |
| CopyBet | No | Yes |
| Sky Bet | Yes | Yes |
| BoyleSports | Yes | Yes |
| Grosvenor | No | Yes |
| Betway | Yes | Yes |
| Unibet | Yes | Yes |
| BetMGM | Yes | Yes |
| Paddy Power | Yes | Yes |
| Kwiff | No | Yes |
| Ladbrokes | Yes | Yes |
| Betfair | Yes | Yes |
| Betfred | Yes | Yes |
Wager With The Football Bet Builder Tool
Bet365, Paddy Power, and Ladbrokes have excellent Bet Builder tools that can be used to create a same-game multi. Selections from different markets are combined into a user-created bet.
Eligible markets are listed directly on the Bet Builder page. As the bet is populated with selections, odds are updated on the fly as options are added or removed.
An example of a Bet Builder for a Premier League match could be Liverpool To Win, Over 5.5 Corners, Liverpool 1st Half To Win To Nil, and Both Teams To Score.
Accumulators (Accas)
Accumulator bets involve multiple selections (legs) in one wager. Anything with at least four legs is considered an acca, but technically, doubles and trebles are also. Most online bookmakers allow for up to 20 legs in an accumulator.
Accas can be built from Match Result, Over 2.5 Goals, and Both Teams To Score. The total odds can be calculated by multiplying all the decimal odds of the selections together. Acca bets are created by adding selectors to the bet slip first and then looking for an option like “Multiples”, where the selections can be combined into an accumulator.
Acca Odds Example
- Man City To Win 1.8
- Chelsea To Win 1.6
- Crystal Palace To Win 2.4
- Tottenham To Win 2.2
The maths for it would be 1.8 x 1.6 x 2.4 x 2.2 = 15.21.
If all teams won, a £10 stake would return £150.20 (£10 x 15.21 cumulative odds).
The entire bet is lost if at least one of the legs loses.
Which Football Bookies Offer Acca Insurance?
Acca Insurance is a feature where a football bookmaker returns a lost accumulator stake if the bet has just one losing leg. Price boosts are typically excluded from acca insurance.
Betway
Betway’s offer covers accas with at least four legs. If just one option loses, you can receive a maximum of £25 back as a free bet. Coverage requires a minimum £5 stake on Win-Draw-Win markets.
Sky Bet
Sky Bet has an Acca Freeze feature that locks in the result of a winning leg early. If a backed team goes 1-0 up in the 50th minute, that can be locked as insurance against the selection going on to lose. There are five freezes per customer per week.
Paddy Power
To trigger acca insurance at Paddy Power, place a five-fold or bigger acca at minimum odds of 3/1. If the bet loses by one leg, get up to £50 back as a free bet.
Bet365
Instead of insurance, Bet365 offers acca boosts. A pre-match acca of at least 2 selections on selected markets will receive a winnings boost of 2.5 – 70% if the bet is successful, paid as cash.
BoyleSports
The BoyleSports Acca Insurance applies to a bet with at least three legs with minimum odds of 1.5 (1.2) per selection. Either acca insurance or an acca boost can be selected on the bet slip.
Betfair
Betfair has Acca Edge for trebles and above with no max refund limit or minimum odds. Activate Acca Edge, and if just one leg fails, get your lost stake back as cash.
Suppose you place a five-fold accumulator bet on a football match, selecting five teams to win their respective games. If four of your chosen teams win but one team loses, Acca Insurance will refund your stake, either as cash or a free bet, depending on the terms of the offer. This way, you don’t lose your entire stake just because one selection didn’t go your way.
Most acca insurance features at sportsbooks work as either a part or full stake refund when a maximum of one pick in the accumulator keeps them from their potential winnings. Each available sportsbook offers a slightly different acca insurance with the following bookmakers currently offering the features to all bettors:
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet min £5 (max £40) on Sports (odds 1/1+) within 3 days of registration. No cash out. Get your initial stake in Sports Free Bets, which expire in 7 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly
New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on Football on odds of min 1.5 (1/2), get £50 in Free Bet Builders after the qualifying bet has been settled. Rewards valid for 90 days. Only deposits via cards & Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Welcome Offer: New cust only. Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. T&Cs Apply. Acca Club: T&Cs Apply. Promo runs Mon 09:00 to Sun 23:59. Opt-in required. 50% profit boost on 7+ Acca selections. Max stake £20. Max winnings £1,000. Up to 5 boosts per customer per week. Exclusions apply.18+ GambleAware.org.
Football Betting Promotions & Bonuses
Promotions at online betting sites take many forms; here are some of the most common.
Welcome Bonus
A welcome bonus like Bet £10 Get £30 is only for new customers. It involves making a qualifying deposit and (usually) first bet on the account. When that bet settles, the free bet bonus is credited. Some versions only credit a bonus if the qualifying bet loses.
Odds Boost
An offer of enhanced odds above the market price. Some bookmakers like William Hill credit daily odds boosts to use at your discretion, while others like Sky Bet have a listing of pre-match bets with special odds.
Early Pay Out
If a particular circumstance happens, receive an early settlement as a win. An example is Bet365’s 2-Goals Ahead Early Payout, where a qualifying bet on the Full-Time Result market is settled as soon as the backed team opens up a two-goal lead, irrespective of the final result.
Acca Insurance & Boosts
As explored above, acca insurance credits a free bet or cash back if a qualifying acca loses by just one leg. Acca boosts add a win bonus on a successful bet.
Money-Back Specials
If a predetermined scenario doesn’t happen, receive money back as a free bet. An example is a Fafabet’s Bore Draw offer, where a qualifying wager will be refunded if the match ends 0-0.
Free Bet Clubs
Rewards clubs require a punter to place a certain number of qualifying bets in a promotional week to receive a free bet. SkyBet, Paddy Power, and BetVictor have free bet clubs. Some accept any sports bet, while others focus on accas only, like Betway’s rewards club.
When betting promotions are offered, look out for some common terms and conditions. Check for the minimum qualifying deposit and first stake needed. All welcome bonus offers will exclude some payment methods, typically Skrill and Neteller.
Free bet rewards are also time-limited, typically expiring after seven days, but there are exceptions, like Sky Bet’s 30-day expiration.
Which Online Football Betting Websites Offer The Best Enhanced Odds?
Sky Bet, Kwiff and Bet365 are among the best football betting websites for enhanced odds. Enhanced Odds, also known as price boosts or odds boosts, are special promotions bookmakers offer to increase the potential payout on a particular bet, often for a limited time or specific event. These boosts can be categorised into two separate camps – the boosts for new players and the boosts for existing players. The odds boosts for existing players are those we are most interested in and showcase what bettors should expect during their time with the bookmaker.
The first is enhanced odds applied to bets pre-built by the bookmaker. The other is bet boost tokens, available at leading sites like William Hill, where a boost is applied to the bet of choice.
Using Odds Boosts to Your Advantage
The ideal type of boost is one that you can apply to a bet of choice, as it provides greater value. That’s because pre-built bet boosts tend to be riskier doubles, trebles or bet builders. Instead, using bet tokens on selective football bets you feel strongly about and will bet on anyway is the best way to use boosts.
How can I identify value bets in football betting markets?
Value bets are when your appraisal of an away win in a Match Result market is shorter than the price you find at a bookmaker. If your research indicates that West Ham to win should be around Evens, but a bookie has them potentially undervalued at 11/8, you have found value.
Football Betting Strategies
A basic football betting strategy for beginners is to stick to common markets like the Match Result, over/under 2.5 Goals, and Both Teams To Score. These markets constantly receive the most public support, which generally means they are priced accurately.
First, get a good understanding of markets and odds value before progressing to bigger things. There is no rush to get to advanced strategies like arbitrage, matched bets, and laying the draw.
Check out our in-depth guide for further advice about football betting strategies for beginners and more advanced punters.
Using Data & Analytics
Research is a key element of sports betting because it can help spot trends and value. Data, like current form, average goals per home game, time of goals scored, and average over/under goals, can help make more accurate predictions.
Analysis can be applied to any football bet; just zone into the area of statistics to match the market you are betting on. Look for reliable sources of football statistics like the Squawka Comparison Matrix and sites like soccerstats.com and whoscored.com.
Safest Bets in Football
Every football bet is about managing risk and reward, whether an odds-on favourite played with a large stake or a big underdog played with a small one. To mitigate some risk, stick to low-risk betting options like win singles on popular markets.
Bets like accumulators add greater risk with each leg, while markets like Correct Score and First Goalscorer may be tempting because of the odds. Still, a match has so many variables that they are volatile, unpredictable markets.
Look for smaller, more consistent gains from safer bets around the even money line. The cash-out feature can help minimise risk. It allows you to lock in profit for sacrificing odds if an active bet is winning.
Mathematical Approaches to Winning Football Bets
You can get deep into the numbers surrounding football betting, both in the statistics and the odds themselves. Obtain a strong understanding of both because data analysis of a market, including how prices are trending, is all valuable information.
A betting strategy is formed through stats and mathematics. It could be backing a home win only when they hit 1.8 in-play during the second half or taking an over/under 1.5 goals punt at a certain odds threshold.
Assess a market first with implied probability. If you give a team a 40% chance of winning, convert your probability to odds to find the price you expect to see, in this instance, around 6/4.
Then, look to see if bookmakers have undervalued that selection because of its lower implied probability. They might price it at an approximate 36% chance at 9/4 odds, which means you can take the selection at value.
Is it possible to consistently win football bets using mathematical methods?
Even with the best mathematical methods, there is no consistent way to win football bets. Strategies work to mitigate risk rather than ensure wins.
Arbitrage Betting
Arbitrage betting is a strategy that involves placing multiple bets on all outcomes on the market, done at different bookmaker platforms. An example is backing a home win at BetMGM and then going to the Betfair betting exchange to lay the home team.
All outcomes are covered in this scenario, but arb betting is more complicated because it works off discrepancies in odds between bookmakers on the same market. To find arbitrage bets, look for those discrepancies.
Suppose one bookmaker has Arsenal at 4/9 to win, but another gives them a lesser chance of 4/11. In that case, those prices presented by bookmakers will also affect the odds (and implied probability) on the Draw and Arsenal’s opponents.
So you look for the longest odds to lay Arsenal with an arbitrage bet, which will make the market green for you regardless of the match outcome.
Betting Exchanges
Betting exchanges like Betfair are fantastic for odds as it’s a peer-to-peer system. You can set your odds and wait for them to get matched by another bettor on the other side of the market.
Betting exchanges don’t have bookie margins; a commission is paid on winning bets. Another advantage is that betting exchanges have back-and-lay options, which work strongly for betting strategies, particularly arbitrage.
The downside of exchanges is that there can be a steep learning curve to get the most out of them, such as understanding the liability of wagers. They are also a little more time-intensive, looking for and waiting for the right odds to fall into place.
Biggest Football Leagues & Events to Bet On
- Premier League
The English Premier League is one of the most popular national leagues globally and highlights the top level of English football.
A total of 20 teams contest for the title each year, with the lowest three teams being relegated to the English Football League Championship. In their place, the top two teams from the Championship are moved up to the Premier League with an additional third team promoted following a series of play-offs involving the third to sixth-placed teams.
Manchester United, known globally, has the most titles, with 13 separate title wins spanning from 1993 to 2013. Manchester City won the Premier League title this year with 91 points, followed by runners-up Arsenal at 89 points.
- Championship
- FA Cup
Formed in 1871, the FA Cup, also known as the Football Association Challenge Cup, is the oldest national football competition in the world.
The tournament is held annually and features clubs from across the English football league system, ranging from the Premier League to lower-tier non-league sides. Arsenal holds the record for the number of titles, with 14 wins. Following the Gunners, Manchester United is second on the list with 13 titles, while Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool each boast 8 titles.
The FA Cup is renowned for its inclusivity. It allows clubs from various levels to compete, often leading to surprising “giant-killing” upsets where lower-tier teams defeat top-tier sides. The tournament starts with a preliminary round, followed by multiple qualifying rounds before reaching the First Round Proper, where professional clubs from League One and League Two enter the competition. Premier League and Championship clubs join the Third Round Proper, adding prestige and competitiveness to the tournament.
Qualification for the FA Cup is open to any eligible club down to Level 10 of the English football league system, provided they meet specific criteria. This broad eligibility creates a unique dynamic where small clubs can face the giants of English football.
The final is traditionally held at Wembley Stadium, providing a historic and grand stage for the culmination of the competition. The winner of the FA Cup not only earns a prestigious trophy but also secures a spot in the UEFA Europa League, adding an extra incentive for the clubs involved.
- UEFA Champions League
Played annually, the UEFA Champions League (UCL) is a competition in which the top-level European clubs compete for the title.
A total of 79 teams compete for just 32 places in the group stages. Real Madrid is the most successful club in the history of the Champions League, with 15 titles. Manchester City won the 2023 Champions League, beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final in Istanbul to secure their maiden title. Real Madrid won this year’s Champions League beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0.
The tournament is played in a round-robin group stage, which decides the qualifiers for a double-legged knockout format. A single-leg final decides the overall winner. Once again, bettors should expect huge odds boosts and special promotions during the tournament.
- UEFA Europa League
Formed in 1971, the UEFA Europa League (UEL), is the second-tier competition of European club football, second to the UEFA Champions League.
The tournament is played annually, and European clubs compete for the title. Sevilla holds the record for the number of titles, with 7. Following the Spanish side, four teams, Juventus, Inter Milan, Liverpool, and Atlético Madrid, are joint second on the list, each boasting 3 titles. Atalanta won this year’s UEFA Europa League title.
How teams qualify for the tournament is more complicated than others, with UEFA coefficients used to determine the competitors. These coefficients allow for better entrance rounds offered to nations with more success in football.
Each association is permitted a standard number of three births with the expectations of Andorra and San Marino, both of which have two berths and Gibraltar, which has only one berth. Liechtenstein is the only other exemption to the rule, which qualifies only the Cup winners.
- UEFA Conference League
- League One
- League Two
- EFL Cup
- Bundesliga
Founded in 1962, the Bundesliga (also known as Fußball-Bundesliga) is the top level of the German football league.
Unlike other national leagues, the Bundesliga is played with 18 teams rather than 20. Bayern Munich boasts the highest number of wins with 32 titles. Second place in the all-time title list is a joint holding, with both Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach holding 5 wins each.
The bottom two teams are relegated to the 2 following the season’s end. The Bundesliga is the second level of the German football league, with a third team relegated. The teams ranked 15 and 16 enter a playoff to hold the position.
- La Liga
The Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Primera División, known as Primera División in Spain and as La Liga in English-speaking countries, is the top level of the Spanish football league.
Founded in 1929, La Liga is famed around the world as the home of football giants Barcelona and Real Madrid. It’s no surprise that the pair hold the top two spots in the league’s history, with Real Madrid holding the top spot with 36 title wins and Barcelona sitting in second with 27 title wins.
The league features 20 Spanish teams competing for the title, with the bottom three teams relegated to the second level of Spanish football, the Segunda División. The top two teams from the Segunda División earn a promotion to La Liga, and a third promoted team is decided through a series of play-offs, with the third—to sixth-placed clubs competing for the position.
- Serie A
Founded in 1898, Serie A is the top level of Italian football, with teams competing not only for the title but also for the Scudetto and the Coppa Campioni d’Italia.
Twenty teams compete for the win, and the champions are established using a round-robin tournament system (also known as the all-play-all system). The top four teams in Serie A qualify directly for the UEFA Champions League, whereas the bottom three are relegated to Serie B.
Juventus boasts the most titles, with 36 title wins, and they can runners up 21 seasons. Inter Milan follows Juventus with 20, winning this year’s Serie A title, and AC Milan with 19 titles.
- Ligue 1
- European Championships
- Nations League
- Copa América
- World Cup
Only played once every four years, the World Cup is the largest football competition. National teams from across the globe compete head-to-head on the main stage.
In 2022, Argentina claimed the crown, with Lionel Messi finally getting his hands on the World Cup Trophy to complete his cabinet. It was a thrilling final, too, as Argentina beat defending champions France on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Messi scored twice, and Kylian Mbappe grabbed a hat-trick.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make When Betting On Football
The most common mistake beginners in football betting make is leaning towards underdogs because of the attractive odds. A beginner assesses them as viable wagers more so than an experienced punter will because they need to understand the value of the odds.
Another mistake is betting on unfamiliar markets or sports and also betting on the team they support. Bias can lead to unrealistic views of a person’s favourite team, leading to weaker football bets.
Another trap is that there are so many markets at online betting sites, and beginners can get carried away by spreading themselves too thin across markets. It’s best to have a narrow, dedicated focus on football betting.
Payment Methods At Football Betting Sites
Bookmakers offer different payment options for deposits and withdrawals. Typically, they don’t charge a fee for payments but always check.
Football Betting Site |
Payment Methods |
| Bet365 | Debit Card, Apple Pay, GPay, PayPal, Trustly, Bank Transfer, Paysafecard, Click to pay, Wire Transfer |
| SBK | Instant bank transfer, Debit Cards, Trustly, Neteller, Skrill, Bank Transfer, PayPal |
| CopyBet | Instant bank transfer, debit card, Skrill, Neteller |
| Sky Bet | Debit card, Maestro, Solo, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| BoyleSports | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Paysafecard |
| Grosvenor | Debit Card, PayPal, Paysafecard, Apple Pay, Bank Transfer |
| Betway | Debit Cards, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, Trustly, Bank Transfer |
| Unibet | Debit Cards, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Paysafecard, Trustly, Bank Transfer |
| BetMGM | Debit Card, Bank Transfer, PayPal, ApplePay |
| Paddy Power | Debit Card, ApplePay, Instant Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, MuchBetter |
| Kwiff | Bank Transfer, Debit Card, PayPal, EcoPayz |
| Ladbrokes | Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Paysafecard, Trustly, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal |
| Betfair | Instant Bank Transfers, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, Rapid Transfer, Much Better |
| Betfred | Debit Card, Bank Transfer, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, Paysafecard |
Do Football Bookies Have Good Customer Support?
Customer support is available through live chat support, with some bookmakers operating 24/7. Email support is also widely available, directly or via a submission form. Telephone support is much more challenging to find.
Responsible Gambling
Online betting sites are aligned with Responsible Gambling to support players. This is a crucial element designed to cut some of the dangers of betting, like financial and mental stress.
Users can set up features like deposit and bet minimums to help maintain control. Limits can only be changed after a cool-down period.
Further steps, like setting a time-out from the betting account or a full exclusion, can also be done.
Football betting sites have a dedicated Responsible Gambling page; customer support will also help. You can also find links to sites like GAMSTOP and GambleAware for further support.
Football Predictions & Tipsters
Tipsters are a great source of information. You don’t have to abide by what they say, but they can point your football betting in the right direction. For example, you may need to catch up on some information a tipster picked up on.
Profitable tipsters will cite their reasons through detailed insights, which are good to incorporate into your betting. The more knowledge you have, the better decisions you can make.
CopyBet has an entire sportsbook feature dedicated to tipsters. Here, you can see performances, profit, and ROI and gauge the best long-term sources.
At Squawka, our team of expert tipsters carefully analyse a vast range of football matches and offer insightful tips and predictions for each one. Our mission is to help you gain that slight edge and make the most out of your football betting. Grab your notepads because we’ll delve into some exciting tips and strategies.
Understand Team Form
Before jumping into the predictions game, it’s crucial to understand a team’s form. Keep an eye out for at least the last five matches. Are they winning consistently? Are they losing? Or are they unpredictable with their performance? Remember, a team on a hot streak is more likely to continue that trend, while a team with a losing streak may need a morale boost to make a comeback.
Home and Away Records
Never overlook the power of the home field! Teams tend to perform better when they’re in their comfort zone. Research the home and away records of the teams in question. Some squads find that extra spark when they’re on home turf (home crowds make a big difference), and some even when they’re playing away, visiting another team.
Check Player Fitness and Suspensions
Always be up-to-date with football player statuses. Injuries, suspensions, and even personal matters can influence a player’s performance and, ultimately, the team’s result. Remember, even the absence of a single key player can significantly shift the team dynamics.
Look at Head-to-Head Stats
How have the two teams performed when they’ve faced each other in the past? Some teams have a knack for outsmarting certain opponents, regardless of their overall league position or form. So, dig into those head-to-head stats before making your prediction.
Understand the Style of Play
Each team has its unique style of play that can influence the outcome of a match. For instance, a team with a strong defense might be less likely to concede goals, while a powerful attacking lineup could score more. Also, consider the clash of styles – how does one team’s approach fare against the other?
Keep an Eye on the Weather
Yes, even Mother Nature can influence a football match! Extreme weather conditions can make the pitch difficult and significantly impact the players’ performance. So, keep an eye on the forecast too!
Predicting football matches involves more than just luck. It’s about understanding the game, the teams, the players, and even the conditions. Of course, there will always be surprises – that’s the beauty of the game we all love! But with these tips, you’ll undoubtedly improve your football predictions.
Below is an updated list of Predictions for the latest Football games.
How Squawka Judges Football Betting Sites
Ranking the best football sites isn’t easy, and working through the long list of betting sites in the UK can be laborious.
What we look for in a bookmaker
Squawka uses clear criteria when judging online football betting sites, with only the best bookmakers making the cut and featuring in the top lists.
Below is an overview of the criteria considered and the features searched for, including the quality of the odds, reputation, license and regulation, security, fees, live betting, mobile compatibility, customer support, bonuses and promotions, responsible gambling, the number of football leagues, and the live streaming capabilities.
We apply the same rigorous standards when reviewing any bookmaker, whether that is an established betting site or a new betting site.
Safety & Security
The safety of any betting site is paramount to its success, and all bettors in the UK are entitled to safe and fair betting with an operator of their choice.
– We look for online football betting sites that use SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption – the URL begins with “https” instead of “http.”, a security protocol that encrypts data sent between your browser and the bookmaker’s server.
We check what payment methods the bookmaker accepts and ensure they use secure payment gateways that are PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliant. This ensures that your payment details are encrypted and protected from unauthorised access.
– We look for bookmakers with a clear and transparent cookie and privacy policy outlining how they collect, use, and store your personal information.
– We check if the bookmaker offers two-factor authentication (2FA) as an additional layer of security. 2FA requires you to enter a unique code in addition to your password when logging in, which can help prevent unauthorised access to your account.
– We look for bookmakers that promote responsible gambling and have measures to help you manage your gambling activity.
License and Regulation:
All of the top football betting websites in the UK must be licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) to offer sports betting to players legally. Those sites that avoid the licensing process or infringe the rules and regulations will be heavily fined by the UKGC, with the figures often stretching into the millions. Here at Squawka, we only review Bookmakers with a License.
Reputation:
The reputation of a betting site is crucial to Squwaka, and reviews from real players are considered before we list football betting websites. A betting site with a string of negative feedback, customer concerns, and issues is likely to have underlying issues—these player reviews are vital for sifting the sites to find the best ones.
Quality of odds
We look for bookmakers that offer competitive odds on a wide range of sports and events, not just football. The quality of odds at the top sportsbooks is often boosted using a feature known as an “Odds Boost.” We also check if the bookmaker consistently offers competitive odds or has a reputation for offering lower odds in certain markets.
Payment Options & Payout Speed
We review all the payment options the bookmaker offers for withdrawals and whether they are convenient and secure for you.
We also look for bookmakers that offer reliable and fast payouts. We check their policies on withdrawing winnings and how long it typically takes to receive your funds. In our football bookmaker selection, we check for limits on the amount you can bet or win, as this can impact your ability to place larger bets or win hefty payouts.
The number of leagues/markets
Not all sportsbooks in the UK offer the same selection of betting markets, and some bookies offer very few sports markets.
This may be fine for bettors looking to place a casual bet on a huge event such as the World Cup, with most betting sites offering coverage. However, the range of markets is much more important for bettors looking to wager on lesser-known leagues, games, and events such as Ligue 1 and EFL League One.
Build a bet / Request a bet
A number of football betting sites offer the build-a-bet feature, also known as the request-a-bet feature, to allow bettors to make their own bets on events.
The feature typically works through social media with bettors able to Tweet the sportsbook accounts with an off-market bet they would like to place. For example, a bettor could be looking for a specific player to score a hat-trick within the first 45 minutes of a game. The betting site would then reply to the Tweet with their offered odds and how to access the bet from their account.
Depending on the sportsbook of choice, some football gambling sites like Parimatch will feature popular player-created bets for other players. This gives bettors additional markets to choose from, adding to the overall experience of the football betting site.
Live streaming
The top football betting sites must offer live streaming of the games and events bettors can wager on.
Customer Support
A bookmaker’s customer support can be a crucial factor in your overall betting experience, so we look for bookmakers that offer reliable and accessible customer support. We check if the bookmaker offers multiple customer support channels, such as email, live chat, and phone support. If the betting site offers 24/7 customer support, it can be especially helpful for resolving urgent issues.
We test customer support for speed and quality to determine whether they respond promptly to inquiries and provide helpful and informative answers to your questions. We also check to see if the bookmaker has a comprehensive help center or FAQ section that can answer common questions and issues.
Bonus and Promotions
All bookmakers offer bonuses and promotions to attract and retain customers. While these can be attractive incentives, we must understand the terms and conditions of these offers before accepting them. These different types of bonuses are usually welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses, free bets, and cashback offers.
We check the wagering requirements associated with the bonus or promotion. These typically require you to bet a certain amount of money (usually between £10 and £30) or at certain odds (usually 1.5 and over) before you can withdraw any winnings from the bonus. We also look into the VIP perks and Loyalty program that rewards you for your continued betting activity.
We review the time limits (some offers may expire after a certain period) and any restrictions associated with the bonus or promotion. Many bookmakers restrict punters from using their free bets on Virtual Sports.
Betting tools and resources
Although many football betting review websites and punters overlook the availability of betting tools and resources, it can be valuable when choosing a bookmaker.
We check if the bookmaker offers personalised alerts, betting history tracking, and access to betting guides, stats, and analytics for sports events. These can be valuable for analysing trends and making more informed betting decisions. All of our bookies listed above offer a mobile app. This provides a convenient and accessible way to place bets and access betting tools and resources.
Football focused
Naturally, one of the most significant characteristics we search for when looking for the best football betting sites is whether or not the site is football-focused.
Every betting site has its speciality, so to speak, with some sites gravitating towards horse racing, others around golf or tennis, and our favourites, those focused on football. A clear niche is best for those football fans searching for the best betting experience with the top odds, events, and markets for football betting.
Football Betting Sites Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most trusted online casino UK?
One of the leading casinos in the UK is Grosvenor, which has brick-and-mortar casinos, online casinos, and a full online sportsbook.
Which website is 100% accurate for football predictions?
100% accuracy for football predictions is impossible. No punter is right with every single wager.
Is football betting legal in the UK?
Yes, and only ever play at licenced and registered football betting sites.
Which betting sites offer the most comprehensive range of football markets?
Bet365 excels with its vast range of competitions covered, plus pre-match and in-play market variety.
Do betting sites accept credit cards in the UK?
No, credit cards cannot be used for football betting in the UK.
How long do withdrawals take on UK betting sites?
It will vary depending on the payment method. E-wallets can be completed within 24 hours, but bank transfers and cards may take up to 5 working days.
Do all football betting sites offer a mobile app?
No. Find great, highly-rated ones from Bet365, SBK, Betfred and William Hill.
Can I live-stream matches through a betting site’s mobile app?
The service works as it would on a desktop, including bet and watch with in-play markets.
Can I use multiple football betting sites to maximise my advantages?
Yes. You can register at multiple football betting sites but only have one account with the same operator.
Can I bet on football matches from other countries?
Yes. Online sportsbooks have listings of football matches from around the world.
How do I withdraw my winnings from a football betting site?
Look for the withdrawal link in your account, select your method, how much and process.
Can I use my Free Bets on accumulators?
Typically, bettors can use free bets on accumulators, but this is not a universal rule. Bettors should check the information in the offer’s small print before creating their accumulator. This information is required by regulation and should be clearly outlined by all UK sports betting sites.
Several bookmakers allow free bets to be used on accumulators with the caveat that a minimum odds value must be reached for these bets. Typically, this value is larger than the minimum threshold required for a standard free bet.
Is there any limit of how much money you can win in football betting?
Most bookmakers will have a maximum payout attached to their bets, meaning that even if your potential pay-out is higher than a certain number, you will only be paid out at a certain amount. We’ve compiled a list of some of these maximum payouts for the bookmakers featured on this page, which you can find below:
| Bookmaker | Maximum Football Payout |
| Bet365 | £2,000,000 |
| Betfred | £1,000,000 |
| Paddy Power | £1,000,000 |
| Betfair | £1,000,000 |
| SBK | Varied |
| Unibet | £1,000,000 |
| Bet UK | Varied |
| Sky Bet | £500,000 |
| Midnite | Varied |
| PariMatch | £500,000 |