What Are the Favorites and Underdogs in Football Betting? The Most Common Handicap Odds Explained
Nowadays, football betting is one of the most attractive forms of entertainment, drawing in countless participants. If you’re involved in tonight football prediction this activity, it's essential to understand some basic betting terminology. So, what exactly do “favorites” and “underdogs” mean in football betting? This article will give you the most detailed explanation of this bookmaker term. Let’s explore together.
What Are the Favorites and Underdogs?
Football betting is a highly popular form of wagering, proving that the excitement of the sport never fades. For enthusiasts of online betting, learning new knowledge constantly is the key to becoming a professional player. And one of the most basic things to grasp is the fundamental terminology used in football betting.
The term “favorites and underdogs” refers to how teams are ranked based on their strength and chance of winning. The “favorite” is the team that is more highly rated — usually stronger, more well-known, and statistically more likely to win. In contrast, the “underdog” is considered the weaker team, with a less impressive lineup and a lower probability of winning.
Understanding the concept of favorites and underdogs is crucial for making informed betting decisions.
Most Common Handicap Odds Between Favorites and Underdogs
When betting on matches involving favorites and underdogs, players can choose from various handicap odds depending on their personal analysis and predictions. Below are the most commonly seen types of handicap odds in this category:
Half Goal Handicap (0.5)
One of the most popular handicap soccer prediction octopus odds is the half goal handicap. This type of bet offers a balanced opportunity, often considered a 50/50 bet.
Here’s how it works: The favorite team gives a 0.5-goal handicap to the underdog. In other words, the underdog gets an additional half goal added to the final result.
If the match ends in a draw, the underdog wins the bet due to the +0.5 goal advantage.
If the favorite wins the match, then the bet on the favorite wins.
This type of bet is simple and good soccer prediction sites commonly chosen by both beginners and seasoned bettors alike.
Quarter Goal Handicap (0.25)
In this bet, the favorite gives a 0.25 goal advantage to the underdog.
If the favorite wins, a bet on them wins the full stake.
If the match ends in a draw, bettors on either side only lose half of their wager (depending on which side they bet).
This is considered a safer handicap for live football betting due to the lower risk involved.
Three-Quarter Goal Handicap (0.75)
The 0.75 goal handicap is extremely common and attracts the attention of many novice bettors. Here's how it plays out:
If the favorite wins by 2 or more goals, then bets on the favorite win fully.
If the favorite only wins by 1 goal, bets on the favorite win half the wager.
If the match ends in a draw or the underdog wins, then the bet on the underdog wins.
This type of bet offers both higher potential returns and risks, making it ideal for those looking for a bit more excitement in their wagers.
One Goal Handicap (1.0)
In this scenario, the favorite gives the underdog a full 1-goal handicap.
If the favorite wins by 2 or more goals, the bet on the favorite wins.
If the favorite only wins by 1 goal, it’s a push, and the bet is refunded.
If the match ends in a draw or the underdog wins, then the underdog bet wins.
This bet is riskier, so players must analyze carefully before choosing this option.
Smart Tips for Betting on Favorites and Underdogs
To increase your winning chances, especially when betting on favorites and underdogs, it's important to apply strategic tips. Here are some commonly shared insights from experienced bettors:
Analyze the Odds Early
You should actively search for match-related information such as team form, player conditions, home advantage, etc. Bookmakers usually release detailed odds and data 4 to 5 hours before the game starts. This is a golden time for you to gather and assess valuable information before placing a bet.
Compare European and Asian Odds
Pay close attention to trends between the European odds and Asian handicaps.
If European odds are decreasing while Asian odds slightly drop, it often signals a high chance of a home team victory.
However, keep an eye on something called the “shark odds” or "trap odds."
Watch Out for Trap Odds
Trap odds, or “kèo dụ” in Vietnamese, are odds set by the bookmaker to mislead players. These odds create confusion and uncertainty.
If odds suddenly change near the match's start — especially increasing significantly — players should proceed with caution.
Bookmakers understand player psychology and can manipulate odds to bait inexperienced bettors.
Conclusion
With the detailed explanation above, you should now have a clear understanding of what favorites and underdogs mean in football betting and the most commonly seen handicap odds. Applying some smart betting strategies and staying sharp will help increase your chances of winning and becoming a more informed bettor.