Total Goals Sports Betting
The total goals or goal-line is the number of goals that we think will be scored in total for a soccer match during normal time 90 minutes including injury time but excluding extra-times (ET). You can bet either over or under the goal-line. If the total number of goals equals the goal-line, your bet stakes will be refunded. A variation of the odd/even insurance strategy involves placing a large bet on an even total goals outcome, and then betting a smaller amount on singles bets with the most likely odd correct scores (1-0, 0-1, 2-1, 1-2, 3-0). Hence, the total goals betting market exists. The total goals betting market is one of the most common options bettors can find at any sports bookie. In fact, it is an excellent alternative to the traditional match outcome market. As expected, this market has a lot of variations with its rules each. Over/Under Total Goals. It is the most common of the variations. Even though the standard option appears to be the goal line bet to back over or under 2.5 goals, bookmakers often provide options to even back a total of over 4.5 goals in certain games. This type of betting is widely used for predicting the total goals, while sports like American football use the same in order to predict the points. How Does the Over/Under Betting Work? The betting over under system.
(updated on March 26, 2017)
Most bookies offer 3 choices of total goals: 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5. But some offer a wider range of options, like 2, 2.25, 2.75, 3, 3.75 and so on, that are a bit harder to understand and that confuses a lot a people.
Total Goal Over 2
You win the bet if more than 2 goals are scored and lose it if only 1 or none goal is scored. If exactly 2 goals are scored the bet is refunded.
Examples:
0-0, 1-0 or 0-1: Lose
1-1, 2-0 or 0-2: Push (bet is refunded)
2-1, 1-2, 2-2 or any other higher score: Win
Total Goal Over 2.25
In this case, you are placing half a bet on over 2.0 and the other half on 2.5. If the total goal of the match is 2 goals, you lose half your original bet (the other half is a push). If the total is more than 2 goals you win the bet, and if it’s less than 2 goals you lose the bet.
Note: sometimes you’ll see O2,2½ which is the same as O2.25!
Examples:
0-0, 1-0 or 0-1: Lose
1-1, 2-0 or 0-2: Lose half your original bet
2-1, 1-2, 2-2 or any other higher score: Win
Total Goal Over 2.5
In this case, there is no push option because a game cannot end with a total of 2.5 goals. It’s simple: you win if the total is 3 or more goals and you lose if less than 3 goals are scored.
Examples:
0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 2-0 or 0-2: Lose
2-1, 1-2, 2-2, 3-0, 0-3 or any other higher score: Win
Total Goal Over 2.75
In this case your placing half a bet on 2.5 and the other half on 3.0. If the total is 3 goals you win half your bet (the other half is a push). You win your bet if more than 3 goals are scored and lose it if less than 3 goals are scored.
Examples:
0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 2-0 or 0-2: Lose
2-1, 1-2, 3-0 or 0-3: Win half your bet
3-1, 1-3, 2-2 or any other higher score: Win
Total Goal UNDER 2
You win the bet if less than 2 goals are scored and win it if only 1 or none goal is scored. If exactly 2 goals are scored the bet is refunded.
Examples:
0-0, 1-0 or 0-1: Win
1-1, 2-0 or 0-2: Push (bet is refunded)
2-1, 1-2, 2-2 or any other higher score: Lose
Total Goal Under 2.25
In this case, you are placing half a bet on over 2.0 and the other half on 2.5. If the total goal of the match is 2 goals, you win half your original bet (the other half is a push). If the total is more than 2 goals you lose the bet, and if it’s less than 2 goals you win the bet.
Examples:
0-0, 1-0 or 0-1: Win
1-1, 2-0 or 0-2: Win half your bet
2-1, 1-2, 2-2 or any other higher score: Lose
Total Goal Under 2.5
In this case, there is no push option, because a game cannot end with a total of 2.5 goals. It’s simple: you lose if the total is 3 or more goals and you win if less than 3 goals are scored.
Examples:
0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 2-0 or 0-2: Win
2-1, 1-2, 2-2, 3-0, 0-3 or any other higher score: Lose
Total Goal Under 2.75
In this case your placing half a bet on 2.5 and the other half on 3.0. If the total is 3 goals you lose half your bet (the other half is a push). You lose your bet if more than 3 goals are scored and win it if less than 3 goals are scored.
Examples:
0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 1-1, 2-0 or 0-2: Win
2-1, 1-2, 3-0 or 0-3: Lose half your bet
3-1, 1-3, 2-2 or any other higher score: Lose
This table sums up all the possible outcomes:
Total Goals Bet | Total Goals Match | Bet Result | Total Goals Bet | Total Goals Match | Bet Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Over 0.5 | 0 | Lost | Under 0.5 | 0 | Won |
Over 0.5 | 1 | Won | Under 0.5 | 1 | Lost |
Over 0.75 | 0 | Lost | Under 0.75 | 0 | Won |
Over 0.75 | 1 | Half Won | Under 0.75 | 1 | Half Lost |
Over 0.75 | 2+ | Won | Under 0.75 | 2+ | Lost |
Over 1 | 0 | Lost | Under 1 | 0 | Won |
Over 1 | 1 | Push | Under 1 | 1 | Push |
Over 1 | 2+ | Won | Under 1 | 2+ | Lost |
Over 1.25 | 0 | Lost | Under 1.25 | 0 | Won |
Over 1.25 | 1 | Half Lost | Under 1.25 | 1 | Half Won |
Over 1.25 | 2+ | Won | Under 1.25 | 2+ | Lost |
Over 1.5 | 0 & 1 | Lost | Under 1.5 | 0 & 1 | Won |
Over 1.5 | 2+ | Won | Under 1.5 | 2+ | Lost |
Over 1.75 | 0 & 1 | Lost | Under 1.75 | 0 & 1 | Won |
Over 1.75 | 2 | Half Won | Under 1.75 | 2 | Half Lost |
Over 1.75 | 3+ | Won | Under 1.75 | 3+ | Lost |
Over 2 | 0 & 1 | Lost | Under 2 | 0 & 1 | Won |
Over 2 | 2 | Push | Under 2 | 2 | Push |
Over 2 | 3+ | Won | Under 2 | 3+ | Lost |
Over 2.25 | 0 & 1 | Lost | Under 2.25 | 0 & 1 | Won |
Over 2.25 | 2 | Half Lost | Under 2.25 | 2 | Half Won |
Over 2.25 | 3+ | Won | Under 2.25 | 3+ | Lost |
Over 2.5 | 0, 1 & 2 | Lost | Under 2.5 | 0, 1 & 2 | Won |
Over 2.5 | 3+ | Won | Under 2.5 | 3+ | Lost |
Over 2.75 | 0, 1 & 2 | Lost | Under 2.75 | 0, 1 & 2 | Won |
Over 2.75 | 3 | Half Won | Under 2.75 | 3 | Half Lost |
Over 2.75 | 4+ | Won | Under 2.75 | 4+ | Lost |
Over 3 | 0, 1 & 2 | Lost | Under 3 | 0, 1 & 2 | Won |
Over 3 | 3 | Push | Under 3 | 3 | Push |
Over 3 | 4+ | Won | Under 3 | 4+ | Lost |
Over 3.25 | 0, 1 & 2 | Lost | Under 3.25 | 0, 1 & 2 | Won |
Over 3.25 | 3 | Half Lost | Under 3.25 | 3 | Half Won |
Over 3.25 | 4+ | Won | Under 3.25 | 4+ | Lost |
Over 3.5 | 0, 1, 2 & 3 | Lost | Under 3.5 | 0, 1, 2 & 3 | Won |
Over 3.5 | 4+ | Won | Under 3.5 | 4+ | Lost |
Hope this have help you understanding any doubts regarding totals in soccer!
If you have any questions leave a comment!
The over/under total goals betting market is a regular favourite for thousands of punters. It offers something for everyone without having to pick a team to win. This makes it the perfect wager for neutrals who simply want to get in on the action of any match.
As you will see on this page, there are varying degrees of risk with O/U total goals betting. This allows bettors to try different approaches to this market, depending on the teams, line-ups and bookie’s odds.
In addition to thoroughly explaining how this bet works, we’ll also show you a simple method for researching your predictions; plus, you’ll learn some common o/u total goals strategies other bettors use.
What is Over/Under Total Goals Betting?
This is a two-way betting market where you effectively place a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ wager on the total number of goals being scored. The examples we will use are taken from football matches – hence using ‘goals’; however, over/market betting is available for nearly all sports in various forms. For example:
- Over/Under total goals
- Football (soccer)
- Ice hockey
- Field hockey
- Futsal
- Over/Under total points
- Rugby
- Basketball
- American football
- Australian rules
- Snooker (per frame)
- Over/Under total runs
- Cricket
- Baseball
- Over/Under total games
- Tennis
Total Goals Betting Explained
The example below was taken from the Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United (Premier League) match on 888sport.
- If you bet over 0.5 goals. This wager wins if one or more goal is scored. It doesn’t matter which team scores the goal. At odds of 1.04; if you placed a £10 bet, you would make £0.40 profit. (£10.40 returns)
- If you bet under 0.5 goals. This wager wins if the match finishes with less than 0.5 goals, so it would need to be 0-0. At odds of 11.00; if you placed a £10 bet, you would make £100 profit. (£110.00 returns)
- And, so on ..
Other Over/Under Total Goals Betting Markets
If you can’t find value in the O/U market involving both teams, it’s worth looking at the individual team markets. This is a good option if you fancy one team more than another. However, you need to weigh up the extra risk involved.
Another O/U goal betting option available on top-flight football is ‘halves’. Naturally, the prices are higher, but if you can line up accurate EPL predictions, then you could walk away with more cash. The fundamentals for each of these markets is the same, however. You are goal betting on the number being over or under the selection you choose.
Over 1.5 Goals Tips
There are many websites offering over 1.5 goals tips, but you don’t need to rely on third-party sources. If you want accurate betting tips that you can trust, doing your own research is the best method without any question. So, how do you get started?
Most sportsbooks now offer pre-match stats. For this example, we are using 888sport, but the data comes from SportRadar. To access this, simply click the bar chart icon that in next to the match in the menu. There are hundreds of metrics available. These are the main ones of interest for over 1.5 goals and over 2.5 goals tips.
Form – last 6 matches
Other than the Champions League ties against Leipzig, Spurs have managed to score.
For Manchester United, the form guide is a little more promising. They have scored in each of their last six matches. You also want to consider goals conceded. If the defence is playing well, this could well limit the total number of goals.
If you continue to scroll down through the stats, you’ll come across information dedicated to this market.
Over/Under
Let’s start with over 1.5 goals. You can tinker with the setting here to find the best value betting market. Our image shows the total for both teams. From 29 Premier League games this season, both sides have been involved in 25 matches with over 1.5 goals (86%). Quickly grab the calculator:
- If 86 games are over 1.5 goals, we can multiply the odds (first image)
- Bet £1.00 x 1.26 = £1.26 return (£0.26 profit)
- Therefore, using these odds as an average: 86 x £0.26 = £22.36 total profit from 86 games.
- We must account for the 14 matches that were under 1.5 goals. So, 14 x £1.00 = £14.00 loss.
- £22.36 – £14.00 = £8.36 profit based on 100 games (86% + 14%).
Please consider, this was only using a £1.00 (for simple illustration). Your profits would multiply with higher stakes.
Goal Betting Net
For over 2.5 goals tips, you can do the exact same calculation as above. Change the drop-down menu (top right) from 1.5 to 2.5, and use the data provided. This whole process only takes a couple of minutes, and it with help to improve your betting bankroll over the course of a season.
Nfl Totals Betting
Considerations to factor in
How Many Sports Bettors Are Profitable
Football data is extremely useful, but it’s not perfect. For instance, with the information provided above, Tottenham didn’t have Kane or Son playing for some (or all) of those games. Therefore, check past line-ups and predicted line-ups as part of your research. This will help you fine-tune your predictions, and with that, you can bet on more specific markets with greater confidence.