Betting on the World Cup? Here’s what you need to know
Monday 21st November sees the 22nd World Cup Finals kick off in Qatar, with 32 nations competing for a place in the final on 18th December, and a chance to lift the coveted trophy. Holders France will be desperate to retain the trophy having won it in Russia in 2018, but with so many teams in with a chance of winning this year, the tournament is too close to call.
The 2018 World Cup was watched by a combined total of 3.57 billion viewers globally, while the final between France and Croatia was seen by an estimated 1.12 billion viewers worldwide. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expects this year’s World Cup to be watched by a staggering five billion people worldwide cementing football’s place as the number one sport in the world.
Recent reports have claimed that the World Cup is the most popular sporting occasion in the world, beating the Olympics, Superbowl, Wimbledon and Tour De France, to name just a few. Eight brand new purpose-built, air-conditioned stadiums are ready and waiting to play host to the best teams in the world, as excitement for the competition continues to grow.
A lot of fans enjoy having a bet on games to add to their enjoyment of the action, so here’s our guide to placing a bet on the World Cup.
Sportsbook
There are lots of sportsbook available online that offer a variety of bets on all the games, but it’s important to look a little deeper before signing up with a website.
Great Odds:
Not all sportsbooks are alike, so make sure you check out the World Cup odds to ensure you are getting the very best deal on your wagers.
Reputable:
Go for a trusted name in the business that has a good reputation and will you’re your financial and personal details safe.
Payments:
Make sure your sportsbook offers quick and multiple pay out methods such as Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, bank transfers etc.
Customer Service:
If you are new to betting, then a great customer service is important. A few sites offer 24/7 customer service so you are never without someone to talk to should you have any questions or concerns.
Typical Football Bets
There are a wide variety of bets available for the World Cup, including outright winner, top goal scorer and predicting the correct score, and it can be confusing if you are new to it all. Which is why we’ve rounded up some of the most common football bets around to help you make the right choice.
Outright Tournament Winner
A self-explanatory wager. Pick the team you think will be lifting the trophy at the end of the tournament and lay your bet.
Pro’s:
Simple to understand.
Con’s:
It’s hard to pick an overall winner.
If you’re team is knocked out early your bet is done.
Win/Lose/Draw
Pick a match and decide what the result’s going to be. Win, Lose or Draw?
Pro’s
Simple to understand
Con’s
As there are only three outcomes, the odds are lower.
Goals Scored
Pick a match and work out how many goals in total will be scored during the game. There’s usually some leeway either side so your guess doesn’t have to be exact.
Pro’s:
Easy to understand
Con’s:
May need some research
Get it wrong and you lose your bet
Top Goal Scorer
Which player will score the most goals in the tournament. Make sure you look for someone that plays on a team that will go deep so as to maximise their scoring chances.
Pro’s:
Simple to understand
If your team loses in the group stages, it won’t affect your bet if your guy scores in every game. It’s all about goals scored.
Can keep the excitement going till the end of the tournament.
Con’s:
Requires some research
The favourites odds will be low.
Tactics and Tips
Group Stage Value
The big teams are always favourite to win their group games, but surprises happen at every world cup. Also, any team that has qualified after their first two group games may rotate their team to rest key players, offering a chance for an upset.
Head not Heart
It’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement and lay a bet on your home nation, even though you know they probably won’t win. Betting with your head and not your heart, is the smart way to go.
Favourites
Don’t be fooled into betting for a team because they have won it before. The World Cup comes around every four years and players and coaches change, while new, better teams appear on the scene. It’s a good idea to check out the FIFA World Rankings for a clearer picture of where teams are currently at or check out their latest results.
Stay up to date
Keep across expert analysis to get the latest match news. Has a star player been injured or dropped? Is there a dressing room bust up or has a key player been out of form recently? Maybe there was a sending off and the top goal scorer is suspended. All of these factors will affect team performance so it’s important to have as much information as possible before laying your bet.
The Qatar World Cup
As you gain more experience you will discover a whole host of bets that can add to your in-game excitement while watching the 2022 World Cup. From live betting to picking the number of corners, bookings or red cards!
Whatever you decide to do, with so many great teams in with a chance this year, the Qatar World Cup promises to be the most exciting tournament yet.
