Football or soccer is undoubtedly the most popular sport on which to have a spread bet and there are a massive number of bets available in both the long term markets (full season) and on individual matches.

Totals

There are a wide range of totals bets available in football, such as Goals, Corners and Shirt Numbers – all of them working in roughly the same manner. Remember though, that extra-time does not count for these markets.

Goals

Based on the total number of goals predicted for that match. May be quoted as something similar to “Manchester United v Chelsea 2.7 – 3.0”. Stakes are usually taken in tenths of a goal, so in this example, if you sell low at 2.7 with a stake of 10 pounds (i.e. 100 pounds per whole goal), and four goals were scored, you would lose 4.0 – 2.7 = 1.3 x 10 pound stake x 10 = 130 pounds.

Corners

Based on the total number of corners accumulated by both sides in a game. A typical quote on corners in a Premiership match might be 11.5 – 12.5.

Shirt Numbers

A prediction on the aggregate number of shirt numbers for all the goal scorers in a match. If Manchester United were to draw 1-1 with Chelsea with Drogba (shirt number 14) and van Nistelrooy (shirt number 10) scoring the goals, then the Shirt numbers would add up to 24. A typical quote on shirts can be anything from 24-28 in a Nationwide or international game up to, say, 45-49 for a Premiership game which might feature a player wearing a No 40 shirt.

Bookings

This market works in much the same way as Totals, although in this case, a certain number of points are awarded for yellow and red cards. Ten points are given for each yellow card and 25 points for each red, up to a maximum of 35 points per player, so if a player receives a red card as a result of receiving a second yellow card, he will be deemed to have been shown one yellow card and one red card (35 points). Any card shown in extra time or after the full-time whistle has been blown does not count.

Hotshots

This is a popular market where the spread firm picks four or five players within a league (or a match) and gives a quote based on 25 points per goal from each of the named players. Points are also awarded (usually between 8 – 12) if any of them fail to take part.

Multi-Corners

The majority of spread firms offer a prediction for the number of first half corners multiplied by second half corners.

Team Performances

Especially popular in live televised games, this market has a variety of components including corners, bookings, goals and clean sheets. Points awarded may differ between spread firms, but may be something similar to:

• Win: 15 points
• Draw: 5 points
• Goal: 10 points
• Woodwork (must rebound into play): 5 points
• Corner: 3 points
• Clean Sheet: 5 points
• Yellow Card: -5 points
• Red Card: -15 points

Time Markets

There are many markets based on timed events, such as 1st Goal, 2nd Goal, last goal, 1st home goal, 1st away goal, 1st corner and 1st yellow card. These quotes are based in minutes. In the case of 1st markets, if there is no 1st goal or 1st booking, then the event is deemed to have happened at 90 minutes. The reverse is true for last markets – if the event does not take place, then it is deemed to have occurred at 0 minutes. See here for a worked example of a 1st goal bet.

Long Term Bets

Another very popular type of football spread bet which give a great alternative to fixed odds betting. Many people back their favourite team at the start of the season to win the championship. With spread betting, you can back for or against an individual team based on how many points you think they will get.

One of the benefits of long term football spread bets is that unlike fixed odds betting, you do not have to lay your money out up front. Bets are settled at the end of the season or after you have ‘closed’ your bet at any time during the season.