How to Research a Soccer Bet Before the Match
You need to do detailed research to make accurate predictions and secure that winning bet. Whether you're betting on a site reviewed by sportwetten24.com or a local bookie, this quick guide should help you improve your betting game and make you a better bettor.
1. Evaluate Team Form
If you're looking to bet on an upcoming match, the first step should obviously be to research how both teams have been performing. Look at previous matches, practices, coaching changes, player lineups, and everything in between.
Head-to-head data will be the most important, but don't discount their performance against other teams, as they may have improved since their last matchup or it may have been a fluke if Team A lost to Team B, but won against every other team in the league (hypothetically speaking of course).
You should also be able to visualize every player on each team with a trading card highlight of their recent performances. Make a note of who is doing better, who is doing worse, and who is doing nothing.
Injuries are also key here, as a star player or key component watching from the sidelines could easily turn the odds. If they just came back from an injury, they may not be in peak performance.
2. Looking at External Factors
Once you know how the teams and players have been performing, it's time to look at external factors that could affect the game. External factors include anything from heavy rains to a packed stadium of fans. It's generally believed that most teams perform better at home, but this can't exactly turn the tide if it's the #1 team against the worst team in the league.
External pressures from league rivalries should also not be ignored. While teams always give it their all on the field, a heated rivalry or the possibility of being relegated to a lower league can usher in a surge of power.
3. Knowing Who to Follow
Everybody and their mother has an opinion on soccer these days. There are countless "gurus" online who claim to have a winning strategy, but it's impossible for all of them to be right. This article isn't claiming to give you a winning strategy, but simply help you make more informed decisions. That is the kind of person and information you want to be looking for. Someone who knows they don't have a crystal ball, but feels informed enough on the teams and state of the league that they can make a prediction they feel will come true.
This goes for sites and blogs, too. Look for news sites or sports blogs that consistently post accurate information. Avoid tabloids that have "anonymous sources", which is really just a way to mask the fact that they desperately need views and clicks and will make up just about anything to get it.
Statistical websites are great, as it's hard to fudge numbers that are verifiable. These stats can be used in combination with your own knowledge and expert analysis to improve your betting skills.
4. Keeping Track of Betting Odds
Odds can change on a moment's notice. As soon as odds are posted, you should keep track of them and note how they move as the game approaches. Odds will go up or down depending on the news, and this is another layer of research you can do to get a leg up on the competition.
A dramatic change in odds is an easy way to tell if there has been a change in the matchup. This includes something like an injury or a midseason trade. You can use multiple sportsbooks to track these changes, taking advantage of sportsbooks that are slow on the draw and fail to take into account new information.
5. Use Bonuses to Your Advantage
This isn't so much about researching the team as it is about researching promotions. This is also another reason why you should check multiple sportsbooks. Different sportsbooks have similar but different promotions. Welcome and reload bonuses are pretty similar across sportsbooks, but some run parlay bonuses or even tournament bonuses.
Use these to your advantage to increase your bankroll, letting you wager more on a match or more in the long run. Just remember that bonuses come with terms, and these terms may be more or less favorable depending on the sportsbook. Some dictate where the bonus funds can be used, such as only on games in the Premier League. Almost every bonus has a wagering requirement, forcing you to bet your bonus and any winnings X amount of times before they can be withdrawn.
Final Thoughts
The easiest way to research ahead of a bet is to look at team standings and recent player performance. Those who want to squeeze out every ounce of strategy can look at finer details, such as weather or if there's a home team advantage. Regardless of how you bet, though, just make sure you're doing it safely. Soccer is a wonderful sport that over a billion people rally around every year. Don't let betting get in the way of you joining them for a fun time.