Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions tuning in to watch games of the MLS, EPL, or the Champions League every year. With such a wide audience, more and more people are also getting into soccer betting.
Arizona was one of the first states to legalize and regulate sports betting and as a result, its residents and visitors can now legally place bets on soccer matches at licensed sportsbooks, either online or at physical locations.
The Best Soccer Sportsbooks in Arizona
$100
If You Don’t Hit a Winner
Up to $1,250
On Caesars
Up to $1,000
Back in Bonus Bets
$1,000
Deposit Match
Get $1,000
in Bonus Bets
As seen, all the best sportsbooks in Arizona offer soccer betting, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. These sportsbooks offer a variety of soccer betting options, including bets on the outcomes of individual matches, as well as bets on the outcomes of entire leagues or tournaments. Betting on soccer can be both exciting and lucrative, so let’s understand the basics:
Most Popular Soccer Leagues
Before you start betting on soccer games, it’s important to know which leagues are the most popular. The top five most-watched soccer leagues in the world are:
- English Premier League (EPL)
- La Liga (Spain)
- Serie A (Italy)
- Bundesliga (Germany)
- Ligue 1 (France)
These are the most competitive and most-watched soccer leagues in the world, and they attract the highest betting volumes. These are usually available to both retail and online bookmakers in Arizona.
Types of Soccer Bets
Soccer Moneyline and Draw No Bet
The most common type of bet is a Moneyline or Win/Loss wager. This involves picking which team will win a match outright—no point spreads, no handicaps. This bet includes betting on a draw which makes it different from Draw No Bet which does not include betting on a draw, If both teams end up with the score, the bets will be refunded.
However, sometimes it’s hard to know which team will win or if it will end up in a draw, so there’s another option: choosing a double chance option. This will allow you to bet on two of the three betting options but will result to lower winnings compared to the usual method.
Total Goals Over/Under
Another popular type of bet is an Over/Under wager, where you’re predicting whether the total number of goals scored in a game will be over or under a certain amount. For example, if the line is set at 3.5, you can bet on whether the total goals scored in a game will be over or under 3.5.
Additionally, you may also bet on the total goals for each team. Let’s say that during the World cup, DraftKings sportsbook set the Total goals of Belgium at 2.5, this means that you can get on whether their total goal will go over or under the total goals set.
Spread/Handicap Betting
Spread betting is another popular type of soccer wager. This involves assigning one team a virtual head start to level the playing field and improve your chances of winning the bet. In La Liga for example, if the spread is set at -1 for Barcelona and +1 for Real Madrid, then Barcelona needs to win by two or more goals for you to win the bet.
Asian Handicaps
Asian handicaps offer a similar type of spread betting but are more complicated. This is often used in soccer games where one team is heavily favored to win so the betting lines are drastically different. The underdog will have an advantage over the favorite, which will be reflected in the odds.
Asian handicap lines can be geared toward the total of goals scored in a match or toward the spread. In addition, Asian handicap bets can be placed on either the full game or on specific halves.
For example, a bettor could place a 0.5 goal Asian handicap bet on the first half of a match, which would give him two different bets: one that the first half will end in a tie and one that his team will win by at least 1 goal.
Soccer Props and Futures
Prop bets and futures are also popular types of soccer sports betting. Props involve wagering on specific events within a game, such as but not limited to:
- Which team will score first
- How many total goals will be scored
- Player/s to get a card and more
Meanwhile, futures involve betting on the outcome of an entire season, like who will win the English Premier League or which La Liga Spain teams will be relegated.
How to Read Soccer Odds?
Once you’ve identified the type of bet you want to make, it’s important to understand how to read soccer odds. In the US, odds are usually written in terms of 100 units—for example, -110 or +120.
The favorites will have a negative figure like -280. this means that you have to bet $280 to get a $100 winnings. On the other hand, underdogs will have positive odds like +800, which means that your $100 bet will result in $700 winnings if the underdogs pull off an upset.
Here’s an example:
Soccer Betting Strategies
Now that you understand the different types of soccer bets, it’s time to learn some strategies for successful sports betting. Here are a few tips:
Research each team and its players before placing any bets. Look up stats, form guides, injury reports, and other data to get an in-depth understanding of the matchup.
- Pay attention to the weather and field conditions. A rainy or windy day can have a big impact on how the game is played, so it’s important to factor this in when placing bets.
- Make sure you shop around for the best odds and lines before placing any wagers. Different bookmakers will offer different lines on the same games, so it’s important to compare them to get the best value.
- Keep track of your bets and make sure you have a betting budget. Don’t bet more than you can afford to lose, and try to limit yourself to small, consistent bets.
It is important to note that sports betting, including soccer betting, is a form of gambling and carries inherent risks. It is important to gamble responsibly and to be aware of the potential risks and consequences. It is also important to note that sports betting in Arizona are only legal for people over the age of 21.
