One of the best things about modern betting is that you can place a bet on an ongoing game. This allows you to predict the rest of the game, having already seen what is happening. You also get to become more tactical and make quick strategic decisions, significantly boosting the thrill of the game.
However, this type of soccer betting can be quite tricky as decisions need to be made quickly. Whether you are a new or seasoned bettor, you will need to enhance your ability to take advantage of situations to maximize your chances of winning.
Stay Informed & Watch the Game
One of the biggest mistakes most people make is assuming that pre-game research is not important in live betting. However, the fact that the game is live doesn’t negate everything that has taken place before. Ensure that you identify the game you want to bet on early and do your usual research to know more about the game, the teams, the tactics, and the various trends.
When you have this information, now watch the game to see what is actually unfolding. How does it relate to the information you already had before the game? Watching the game will allow you to observe how the various dynamics are evolving. You can monitor the tempo, intensity, tactics, and the style of play. If you notice something that either confirms your pre-game research conclusions or presents a new opportunity, you can then take advantage quickly. Note that sportsbooks continually update the odds based on what is happening in the game, so you will need to be sharp.
Choose Your Markets Wisely
Live match betting has evolved greatly since it became mainstream, and there are many markets you can bet on today. However, you need to be careful and not just bet on any of them, as these vary greatly in terms of the associated risk. Some of the options you will have when betting on soccer matches include the winner, full-time score, half-time winner, half-time score, next team to score, next goal scorer, and the rest of the match winner.
With so many options available, it’s important to ensure that you don’t get carried away. This is because the different bet options require a different type of understanding of the game. It’s important to know your strengths and then focus on betting markets that allow you to utilize them. For example, betting on the next goal scorer requires you to understand when certain players tend to score, as it may even be a substitute who has a knack for scoring late goals.
Assess Momentum and Game Flow
Momentum and game flow are the most important aspects to note when watching a live game, as they directly correlate with scoring opportunities. A gain in momentum is usually psychological or emotional, but it can be seen on the pitch when a team starts making successful plays, creating more opportunities, increasing the speed of play, pressing more, or even making much better defensive actions. When this happens, it often translates to increased chances of scoring. And when the momentum is negative, the team can concede quickly.
As for the game flow, you can note an improved one when the overall rhythm improves. A team may become better at controlling possession, breaking opposition plays, and dictating the tempo. If you want to be successful at live soccer betting, ensure that you are keen on these two and compare them to how a team usually performs. If Aston Villa is pressing Manchester United more than the latter expected and causing consistent miss passes, this can be an opportunity to bet on the next scorer.
Be Keen on Tactical Changes
Soccer is all about tactics. Every team usually has a style of play imposed by the manager. However, the style for most teams can vary depending on the opposition. Is a team using the same tactics it always does, or has it drastically shifted to a style that can influence the scoring opportunities for both teams?
Besides the overall tactics, you should also be keen on in-game tactical changes. When substitutions are being made, note the profile of the players going off and coming in. Some changes can indicate a change of tactics, such as a change of formation or attack/defensive intent. You can then react and place your bet accordingly.
