Soccer Odds & Betting Lines

Popular Soccer Betting Markets

You can be as expansive or conservative as you like when it comes to choosing your soccer betting markets. Let’s run through the most common selections for bettors:

• Moneyline — As simple as it gets when it comes to any sportsbook prediction: select either a home win, an away win, or a draw. 
• Correct Score — Taking things up a notch is the correct score, where you’ll need to predict the precise score at the full-time whistle. Be aware that for cup matches where extra-time is possible, soccer betting sites take the result at 90 minutes as being final.
• Goalscorer — Pick a player to score in the match. For longer soccer odds, you can also wager on the first goalscorer in the match.
• Over/Under — A popular market that can be applied to many different parts of the game, over/under asks bettors to predict whether one specific stat will be over or under a specified number. Number of goals is the most common here, but corners and cards are also popular. 
• Both Teams to Score — If you think two teams are blessed with attacking talent but lack that iron defense, you can wager on both teams to score at any time in the game.
• Handicap — When two seemingly uneven teams face off, soccer betting sites sometimes apply a handicap to the favorite to level the playing field. Let’s say Cincinnati were playing Toronto at home in the MLS: with Toronto the overwhelming underdogs, a handicap wager on Cincinnati might require the Garys to win by two or more goals. If Cincinnati were to win by just one, a bet on them to win would lose. 
• Team Props — The total number of team goals, shots, corners or cards in a match are the kinds of things you can bet on in the team props market.
• Player Props — In a similar vein, you can apply the same in-game statistics to one player in the match. 
• Parlays — Parlay bets roll multiple selections into one betslip. The odds and potential payouts are larger as a result, but these bets are also harder to pull off: if one leg lets you down, the parlay will lose. 
• Futures Bets — Have a feeling about one team in particular this season? With futures bets, you can make predictions over the long-term, such as the team to win the Bundesliga or the Europa League golden boot winner.
• First Half/Second Half — Soccer odds can also be condensed into first half or second half betting markets. Your betting options remain the same – simply pick from any of the markets listed here – but instead of focusing on the whole game, your selections will be concerned only with one half. For instance, you might bet on Manchester United having zero shots on target in the first half against Chelsea.
• Teasers — A teaser bet is a modification of a parlay that’s already been placed. Most typically used in spread betting, a teaser involves reducing the points spread in exchange for smaller odds; the chances of winning will increase, but the payout will be smaller as a result. 
• Puck Line/Run Line Bets — A run line bet is a type of handicap wager, typically only used in low-scoring sports like soccer, hockey or baseball. The run line is a set handicap of -1.5 goals, in which bettors back the favorite to win by this margin or more. Betting on the puck line is the opposite, in which punters bet on the underdog to lose by fewer than 1.5 goals, or win the game outright. 

Live Betting on Soccer

Live betting can be an exhilarating way to enjoy soccer. All of our recommended soccer betting sites offer in-play markets, where bettors can react to the moving parts of the game to make informed, timely and thrilling predictions — all while taking advantage of fluctuating odds.

The cash out function adds an exciting layer of jeopardy to live betting. The mother of in-play betting calls, cashing out can either secure a profit on a nail-biting bet, or minimize the loss on one that hasn’t gone your way. 

The added tension of live betting can become problematic for some punters, so it’s important to always gamble responsibly. The urge to chase losses can increase when in-play betting is available, so make sure you always stick to your budgets through the use of on-site limiters.

Here are three of the most popular live betting markets:

• Next Goalscorer — Is there one player in particular that looks increasingly likely to score the next goal? Lay down your wager in this market. 
• Player to be Yellow/Red Carded — Similarly, is there one player out there who looks destined for an early bath? 
• Method of Next Goal — When a team is looking particularly vulnerable to set-pieces, the method of next goal could be where the smart money is. A free kick, corner, throw-in or penalty can be selected.

Top Leagues for Betting on Soccer

You’ll be amazed at the market coverage of the best soccer betting sites. From college soccer here at home to the lower leagues in tiny soccer-playing nations, there’ll be competitions and teams you’ve never even heard of. But before all that, let’s take a look at the top leagues to bet on. 

Premier League

The English Premier League is the best league in the world, home to powerhouses of the game like Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Man City. Pep Guardiola’s City side won an historic treble in the 22/23 season; can they repeat the feat?

The season is 38 matches long, usually played out between August and May. The top four finishing teams qualify for the following season’s Champions League, and there are further spots up for grabs for the Europa League and Conference League. The bottom three teams at the end of the season are relegated to the Championship. 

MLS

When David Beckham signed for LA Galaxy in 2007, it was the dawn of a new era in the MLS. Many high-profile players have come and gone since then, but the arrival of Lionel Messi and his fabled Barcelona teammates in 2023 truly shocked the soccer world. Never has the MLS had so many global eyes on it, making it a great time to search for the best MLS soccer betting odds. 

Like all major US sports, the division is split into Eastern and Western conferences, with 15 teams in the east and 14 in the west. The top nine teams in each conference qualify for the postseason playoffs, where knockout rounds lead to the eventual MLS Cup Final in November or December.

La Liga

La Liga is the premier division in Spain, comprising 20 teams. Like the Premier League, four teams qualify for the Champions League, with others heading to Europe’s less prestigious club competitions. Three teams are also relegated to La Liga 2 at the end of the season. Real Madrid and Barcelona have dominated La Liga throughout its history; only twice in the last 19 seasons has another side won the title — Atletico Madrid, in 13/14 and 21/22.

Serie A

Another 20-team league is Italy’s Serie A, home to Juventus, Napoli, Roma, and the two Milan clubs, AC and Inter. European qualification and relegation also feature here. Juventus won nine titles in a row between 2012–2020, but their dominance was arrested by a resurgence of the Milan clubs, who shared the crown between 20–22. Napoli are the current holders, however, winning their first Scudetto since the glory days of Maradona last season. 

Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain are the biggest team in Ligue 1, featuring stars like Kylian Mbappe and Marco Asensio, although Messi and Neymar have both recently left the club. PSG have won nine of the previous 11 titles, with Monaco and Lille interrupting their dominance during that period. Only three teams qualify for the Champions League from Ligue 1, but three teams are relegated to Ligue 2.

Bundesliga

The Bundesliga is the best soccer division in Germany. It differs from other major European soccer leagues because it’s comprised of only 18 teams, as opposed to 20. This means only two teams are guaranteed relegation at the end of the season, while the team finishing third-bottom is required to play a two-legged playoff against the third-best team in Germany’s second division. Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League places are reserved for teams finishing in the top seven. 

Bayern Munich are currently on a record-extending run of 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles. With Harry Kane now scoring goals for fun, soccer betting odds on Bayern retaining the title are minimal. Borussia Dortmund have been their closest challengers for a number of years, losing out on the Bundesliga crown on goal difference on the final day of last season.  

Compare Odds on Different Soccer Tournaments

We’re confident that our sportsbook recommendations will deliver the best soccer betting odds around, but it always pays to regularly check back in the build-up and during major soccer tournaments and competitions. During these events, soccer betting sites will throw in odds boosts and other promotions to try and capitalize on current excitement. Below are some examples of competitions where odds boosts and increased payouts are common.

Champions League

The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious club competition in soccer. It sees Europe’s top clubs competing once a year in a group stage and knockout format. You’ll see loads of Champions League-specific promotions throughout the competition, particularly towards the latter stages. Golden boot winners, group winners, and teams to qualify are some popular betting categories. 

World Cup

The biggest soccer stage of them all, the FIFA World Cup takes place every four years, with 32 nations competing. Messi’s Argentina are the current holders, beating France on penalties in the 2022 final in Qatar. The next World Cup will be held in the US, Canada and Mexico in 2026. World Cup betting can be exhilarating, particularly towards the end of the group stages, where one goal can have huge ramifications for several teams.

Copa America

Nations in South America compete for the Copa America crown through a league table and playoff format. The tournament typically takes place once every three or four years, but there’s been some irregularity in recent seasons, with four tournaments taking place between 2015–21. Brazil and Argentina are the heavyweights on paper, but titles have been evenly spread across the continent throughout the tournament’s existence. Argentina and Uruguay are tied at the top with 15 Copa Americas each. 

European Championships

The equivalent tournament in Europe is the European Championships, or the Euros. 24 teams take part once every four years in a format that mirrors the World Cup. A parlay on all the group winners is always an interesting wager. 

CONCACAF Champions Cup

The North American equivalent of the Champions League is the CONCACAF Champions Cup, an annual competition involving the best club teams from the US, Central America and the Caribbean. América from Mexico’s Liga MX are the most decorated club in the competition with seven titles.

Qualifiers

Every team that takes part in an international tournament must first earn the right to be there by progressing through a round of qualifying. Qualifiers take place in the breaks between tournaments, typically played in a round robin group format that lasts close to two years. 

The nature of international qualifiers means big soccer-playing nations can come up against much weaker opponents. For instance, in a recent qualifier for the European Championships, France secured a record 14-0 victory over Gibraltar. These kinds of matchups present opportunities for more expansive bets; in that same game, a bet on France to have 20+ shots on target, Gibraltar to have zero shots on target, and Mbappe to score a hat-trick would have won. 

Soccer Betting Bonuses and Promotions

When you first sign up to a new soccer betting site, you’ll be invited to claim a one-time welcome bonus. After that, the best sportsbooks will consistently offer customers additional promotional opportunities. Below are some common types of bonuses — remember to always read the T&Cs in full. 

Free Bets

Free bets are a linchpin of sports betting welcome offers. They give bettors the chance to win real money stakes from a wager that costs them nothing. There are strings attached of course, such as first depositing and wagering some money of your own. 

Risk-Free Bets

With risk-free bets, sportsbooks essentially offer an insurance policy on your first wager, or wagers, at the site. If you were given a $20 risk-free bet that didn’t come off, for example, the $20 would be returned to you in the form of free bets. 

Matched Deposits

Matched deposits involve your sportsbook equalling your deposit at a certain percentage and to a certain amount. If you were offered 100% up to $100, for example, any deposit up to $100 would be doubled with bonus funds. 

Odds Boosts

The very best soccer betting odds are reserved for special soccer matches, such as in the build up to the Leagues Cup final. Take a look at what’s on offer across multiple soccer betting sites to find the best odds boosts.

How to Read Soccer Odds

There are three different ways in which soccer odds can be presented: moneyline (American) odds, fractional (British) odds, or decimal (European) odds. It’s good practice to be able to read soccer odds in their different forms before you place a bet, but you can change the settings in your betting account to display the style you prefer. Let’s explain these three variations in more detail:

• American Odds — The American moneyline presents soccer betting odds with numbers preceded by either a + or a -. The team with their odds preceded by a + is considered the underdog, while the team with the - is the favorite. The odds will then follow these signs, indicating how much stands to be won from a base stake of $100. Let’s give you an example of some DraftKings soccer odds for an upcoming game in the English Premier League (EPL):
  - Manchester City (-145) are playing Liverpool (+360)
  - A $100 bet on City to win would return $145, plus the stake
  - A $100 bet on Liverpool to win would return $360, plus the stake
   
• Fractional Odds — The easiest way to read fractional odds is to remember that the amount you see on the left of the fraction is the amount of money you’d win when wagering the number on the right. Here’s how it works, based on today’s soccer odds on the same EPL game:
  - City (3/4) are playing Liverpool (7/2)
  - A $4 bet on City to win would return $3, plus the stake
  - A $2 bet on Liverpool to win would return $7, plus the stake
   
• Decimal odds — Decimal odds are probably the most straightforward to read, but tend to only be used on European betting lines. With decimal odds, the number that you see is simply the amount you’d win based on a $1 stake, for example:
  - City (1.29) are playing Liverpool (4.33)
  - A $1 bet on City to win would return $1.29, plus the stake
  - A $1 bet on Liverpool to win would return $4.33, plus the stake

How to Bet on Soccer

If you’d like to place a soccer bet at a top US sportsbook, here are the steps you need to take. 

1. Browse our recommendations for the best soccer betting sites  
   You’ll find all of the best US soccer betting sites right here on this page. They all offer something slightly different, so you’ll need to choose your favorite based on the kinds of things you like to see at soccer sportsbooks, such as welcome bonuses, soccer odds, and other factors. 
2. Click through and create an account  
   Once you’ve made your decision, use our links to head to the sportsbook’s sign-up page. You’ll be asked to provide some personal information, and will need to set up a username and password. 
3. Make a deposit  
   Before you can capitalize on the best soccer odds, you’ll need to add some funds to your betting account. Pay attention to the conditions of the welcome offer at this point, which may have terms and conditions such as minimum deposits attached. 
4. Decide which soccer bet you want to place 
   This page runs you through all the most popular soccer betting markets. The easiest way to get started is to place a single wager on the outcome of a particular game, such as Poland v Austria in the next round of international friendlies.
   If you’d like to make your bet slip a bit more interesting, you can opt for a parlay bet, which combines the odds of multiple selections into one bet slip. These are just two popular examples – there are plenty of other markets at your disposal, such as prop bets, handicaps, and many more.
5. Place your bet  
   Once you know where to stake your cash, you’re ready to go. Good luck!

Other Sports at Betting Odds US

Soccer is just one sport on offer at US sportsbooks, and we at Betting Odds cover all of the most popular in depth. Here’s a list of those sports and leagues:

• NBA odds — The National Basketball Association is the pinnacle of professional basketball and is divided into Eastern and Western conferences. 
• MLB odds — Major League Baseball is also split between Eastern and Western conferences. The season culminates in a best-of-seven World Series.
• NHL odds — The National Hockey League is the best ice hockey league in the world. Its grand prize, the Stanley Cup, is the oldest sports trophy in the US.
• Golf odds — Your sportsbook will offer odds on all the biggest golf tournaments at home and abroad.
• Tennis odds — Find competitive tennis odds on all of the sport’s four Grand Slam tournaments, as well as other ranking events throughout the season. 
• F1 odds — The F1 season lasts almost the entire calendar year, so you’ll find great F1 odds and promotions on a regular basis. 
• Boxing odds — Enjoy exciting live boxing markets and odds during the biggest bouts at one of our recommended boxing sportsbooks. 
• MMA odds — The UFC is the strongest division in MMA, pitting experts in a range of martial arts against one another. 

Compare Odds and Sign Up to a Soccer Betting Site

Ready to bet on your favorite soccer leagues and teams? From Portugal to Panama, you’ll find all the soccer betting markets you could possibly need at our recommended sportsbooks. Have a browse of this page to find one you like, compare welcome offers, and click through to sign up.

Soccer Betting Odds Frequently Asked Questions