Betting on sports is the preferred form of gambling for many. The reason is obvious: sports betting can be more predictable than any other form of gambling. If you leave emotions out of it, of course. Here’s how betting with a cool head will help you be more successful at it.
We’re all fans…
Football is the most popular sport in the world. It has the biggest following, and the largest fan bases in every country. People go to extremes in support of their favourite football team – some don’t shy away even from street riots and looting when their team wins or loses.
Such fiery fans won’t ever accept that their favourite team lost because of its own performance or simply because the opponents were better. This is the case at the stadium as well as at betting shops.
… but we’re not supposed to bet with our heats
Of course, we all want our favourite team to win. That’s the bet way, after all. And we’d be willing to bet our money on their victory. But we need to be realistic when placing bets: personal preference or gut feeling shouldn’t have any influence on our decisions.
Instead of relying on feelings and wishes, it’s statistics and informed predictions that should drive our decisions when placing a bet.
How to predict the outcome of a football match based on data
First and foremost, you need to consider the two teams playing and take note of the relative power of the two. In most cases, there’s a clear favourite and a clear underdog. For example, if Liverpool is playing against Newcastle, the Reds are clearly the more likely to win, no matter if you’re an ardent Magpies fan or not.
Next, consider the teams’ current form, along with any injuries and suspensions. While Liverpool may be the stronger team, it may have sidelined players and may go through a rough patch. Then again, it may still prove a stronger opponent than Newcastle.
Look at the two teams’ head-to-hear record. The number of recent victories, goals scored, and opponents overtaken can tell a lot about how you can expect them to perform in their match against each other. Also, consider home advantage – the team playing at home will usually perform better.
Finally, consider factors like the importance of the match, the weather, and even the referee when trying to predict the winner.
Forget emotions – go with the stats
When placing a bet, don’t let your support for one team or another throw you off. Instead, always be realistic and bet with your head. Supporting your team with your bets is nice and all, but it may leave holes in your pockets.
And don’t forget to always bet responsibly and within your means!