With over 3.5 billion fans, football is the most recognised sport in the world. This fact is no different in Nigeria, as football betting is a popular activity amongst the country’s youth.
There are quite many bookmakers that offer football betting options, and whether you are a newbie looking to become vastly experienced in football betting, or a punter searching for a new betting partner with better conditions of cooperation, you can find a football betting site that reflects your needs in the best possible way, looking at this or that list of betting companies in Nigeria compiled by some expert platforms.
Of course, you’ll also need some basic knowledge of what football betting entails. Let us take a closer look at – or, for some, refresh your knowledge of – how to bet on football.
How Does Football Betting Work?
The process of betting on football games involves making predictions on match outcomes and everything surrounding what happens in them. Bookmakers offer to bet on different sports with what is called “betting odds.” Users then get to wager on different sports events in a bid to make a correct guess and win based on these betting odds.
In football betting and all other sports, low odds mean you have a higher chance of winning the bet. On the other hand, high odds mean you have a lower chance of winning the bet. It is therefore important for players to consider their options and choose outcomes that will best favour them.
How to Bet on Football?
The first thing about football betting is typical for betting on any sport: you have to choose a sportsbook, register with the bookmaker you have chosen, and create an account. A full list of reliable bookmakers, as well as their offers, pros and cons, can be found at the Match.Center platform.
After registering an account you will have to make a minimum deposit, and then you will be presented with a selection of football events to bet on. There are two types of betting: pre-match betting and in-play or live betting.
Pre-match Betting
Pre-match betting is the most common and widely used type of football wagering. Punters choose the sporting events they wish to wager on based on the betting odds posted by bookmakers. All this can only be done before the match starts, which is why it is called pre-match betting. After the game, players are then given the rewards of their bets based on the outcome of the game. In pre-match betting, you can bet on a variety of outcomes, like the side to score first, etc.
In-play or Live Betting
Live betting, on the other hand, refers to placing bets while the game is still in progress. Here, you can wager on a few more possible outcomes. The list of potential events to wager on in live betting often differs from that of pre-match betting. However, its options are more intricate. For example, you get to bet on which team will score next or in what minute a team will score, and so on.
Types of Football Bets
Betting on football can take many different forms, with punters betting on almost everything that can happen during a game. As a result, sports betting consists of several endless options to take advantage of. Here are some of the important ones to note.
Match Outcomes
This is easily the first and most popular option for any football match. You get to bet on who wins the match or if it will turn out a draw.
Both Teams to Score
By selecting this option, you are assuming that both teams will score during the game, even though it is quite frequent for teams to fail to score at all.
Goalscorer
Goals are the driving force of football games. You can bet on which team scores first or better still, what specific players find the back of the net.
Doubles
Bookmakers make things interesting for users by giving them a chance to place a single bet with two possible outcomes. Both must however come true to win the bet.
Trebles
The same rule applies to trebles. However, you get to gamble on 3 outcomes, and you have to win them all.
Accumulators
Here players bet on a string of outcomes, usually more than four. You have to win all your predictions to get a reward for the bets you place.
Half Bets
This is betting on different outcomes of a game. The catch, however, is that the bet begins or ends at half-time. You can bet on things like how many goals will be scored in the first half or second half alone.
Over/Under Bets
This means that you can place bets on whether the total number of goals to be scored will be above or under a particular scoreline.
Prop Bets
This type of betting is very specific. You get to bet on anything connected to the outcome of a match, like which players get a card during the game.
Futures
This type of bet is futuristic. You get to bet on long-term prospects like betting on who will win the tournament before it even starts.
Popular Football Leagues and Competitions You Can Bet On in Nigeria
Football betting would not be complete without talking about the options available. Below are some of the most popular sports leagues to bet on in Nigeria. Among them are the best international leagues such as:
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Premier League
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Champions League
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La Liga
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Seria A
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Bundesliga
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Europa League
Among the most popular football events to bet on are: