Has live streaming completely changed the way bettors place their bets on the outcome of a soccer match? The days when gamblers placed their bets based only on pre-match analysis are long gone. Nowadays, you can enjoy placing bets while live streaming the events.
Today’s bettor can watch most matches live and make split-second decisions as any given game progresses. This creates a dynamic betting environment that can be exciting for bettors as it requires quick thinking and informed decision-making.
In general, sports betting can seem like a daunting thing to get into. To help you not get overwhelmed by choice, we have picked five strategies you can use while watching soccer live streams. Let’s dive in!
1. Real-Time Data Analysis
One of the most important strategies of live betting is knowing how to analyze real-time data effectively to get the best possible results. While you stream the match, pay close attention to the live statistics and updates. Key metrics to track include:
- possession percentages
- shot accuracy
- player form
- fatigue levels
- set pieces such as corner kicks and free kicks awarded
For instance, if you see that Team A in the Premier League has kept 70% possession for the last 15 minutes and has had numerous shots at target, it might indicate a goal is about to come.
Or, when a star striker is getting tired, that could be the right time to start betting on substitutes or changes in team strategy. The real-time data analysis will help you identify new trends and patterns that may not be so conspicuous and then provide an edge in predicting the direction of the game and outcomes.
Real-time analysis is challenging, so it may be best to practice live betting with bonuses so you don’t have to bet your own money. AskGamblers UK lists numerous reliable casinos and sportsbooks that offer bonuses for live betting, and you should take a look at which casinos allow the use of bonuses in live matches. This way, you can practice live bets and stay within your budget.
2. In-Play Betting Markets
In-play offers several markets that are not necessarily available as a pre-match bet, which gives the more experienced bettor some tremendous opportunities.
Popular options include betting on:
- the next team to score
- the time of the next goal
- the number of corners in the next 15 minutes
- which player might receive the next yellow card
For example, if a team is losing 1-0 in a game and has just been awarded a penalty, the odds on them drawing level will change dramatically in a matter of seconds. To make something out of such an opportunity, act fast and be decisive. It is crucial, however, to understand the risks involved.
The volatility of the in-play market means that while potential rewards can be high, so can the losses.
3. Understanding Dynamics within the Team
While watching, you should pay keen attention to the team formations (where players are) along with any subtle changes during the match. Substitutions can say much about a team’s approach — for example, replacing a defensive midfielder with a striker would indicate a more aggressive second half.
Injuries to key participants often alter the style of play quite a bit. In situations where teams lose their primary striker, they may sometimes lack the pace up front — which could mean there are advantages in betting on an under-par second half.
Changes in formation or approach are often due to the scoreline or opponent’s strategy and can also give insight into your betting. Suppose a team moves from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 formation — this could suggest an attacking mentality, which might increase the potential of goals. Such simple observations will help you predict changes in momentum and, in turn, enable you to change your bet accordingly.
4. Emotional Management
Live betting is a rollercoaster of emotions, and discipline is key to make it in the long run. Have a limited budget for your betting activities before the match starts and promise yourself to stick to it — come what may in the game.
If you notice losses after losses happen, do not chase them with impulsive, high-risk bets. Those decisions are majorly controlled by emotions and not reason and may bring about huge losses.
Also, it’s good to know whether you are getting overwhelmed or frustrated. In this situation, the best thing you can do is move away from betting for some time, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Take this time to clear your head.
Remember, soccer is one of the most unpredictable sports. Any underdog can always win, or any sure victory can be lost in the last few minutes. Keeping your emotions in check and approaching each bet with a calm, analytical mindset means you’re more likely to make rational decisions based on the data and your analysis rather than gut feelings or frustration.
5. Use Technology and Tools
Many bet platforms include a live match visualization, so a bird’s eye view might be provided when the camera angles from those different cameras on the field do not show it all. Predictive algorithms are by no means infallible but may offer some interesting insights into potential outcomes based on historical data and current game stats.
Some even allow customizable alerts for specific events or changes in odds, so you never miss a potentially lucrative betting opportunity. To a serious bettor, multi-screen viewing setups can be a godsend, enabling you to follow multiple matches simultaneously and find cross-game betting opportunities.
But do remember that these tools are supplements, not replacements, for your own analysis and judgment. No algorithm can possibly capture the subtlety of a live soccer match or those other intangible factors that might determine the outcome of a match. Your decisions, informed by these tools, have to be instinctive and based on knowledge of the game.
In soccer, as in betting, anything can happen — which makes it so exciting and unpredictable. Combining these strategies with a deep love and understanding of the sport will serve you well when you want to succeed in betting.
