Football betting markets explained

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Football offers more betting markets than almost any other sport. Understanding what each one settles on avoids unpleasant surprises when a bet is graded.

Common markets

• 1X2: home win, draw or away win after 90 minutes plus stoppage time.
• Double chance: covers two of the three outcomes at shorter odds.
• Over/under goals: total goals above or below a line such as 2.5.
• Both teams to score: settles on whether each side scores at least once.
• Asian handicap: gives one team a head start, removing or splitting the draw.

Read the settlement rules

Most markets exclude extra time and penalties. Player markets can be void if the player does not start. Rules differ between bookmakers, so check before you bet, especially on accumulators where one void leg changes the whole return.