If you have not already done so, please read our Rules page before placing any bets.
Thorough research is essential before placing any bets. You can do this research using any football statistics/results service, but our favourite is FlashScore.com.
Thorough research is essential before placing any bets. You can do this research using any football statistics/results service, but our favourite is FlashScore.com.
When placing pre-match bets we use a strategy called the Six Steps to Success:
1. Choose a league
Select
a league where several matches are due to be played at the same time.
This gives you the best chance to explore the past form of the teams,
as many of them will have played each other before. If you're familiar
with the league then all the better, but if you follow this checklist
you don't need to be.
2. Identify potential winning teams
View
the league table. If there are any very well placed teams playing at
home then these are likely to win; if there are any very poorly placed
teams playing away then they are likely to lose. This usually gives a
first indication of one (possibly two) teams that are likely to win.
3. Check the winning odds of your chosen team
If
you intend to place a single bet, then check that the winning odds for
that team are between 2.00 - 3.00 (1/1 - 2/1). If the odds fall outside
that range then either abandon that selection, or consider using it in a
double bet.
If
the odds of a team winning are just below 2.00 (1/1) then you might
wish to place a double bet. In the case of a double you want the overall
odds between 3.00 - 4.00 (2/1 - 3/1).
4. Check the home/away form of your chosen team
If
your chosen team is playing at home, then look at their performance in
the last 4 or 5 home games; if your chosen team is playing away, then
look at their performance in the last 4 or 5 away games.
Our preference is to back home teams whenever possible.
5. Check past head to head results
Pay particular attention to any previous head to head matches between your chosen team and their opposition. If team A
has beaten team B in their last 3 meetings, then chances are they will
do the same again.
6. Check for significant odds movement
By
this stage you should have a good idea of which teams to back, however,
it is always a good idea to check for any significant odds movement
prior to kick off. This gives an indication of any last minute upsets to
the team.
Having completed all the steps above, you're now ready to place your bet.
