Soccer is one of the most popular sports on the planet. It really is a universal language: the excitement, the fandom, the highs and lows are unlike anything else you can experience. Following the adventures of your favorite players and clubs is even more fun if you have a good understanding of the global football landscape - and who knows, with a deep enough understanding, it might also be time to drop a few bucks on the big game. put your money where your mouth is and test your experience and research on the beautiful game?
What are the biggest football competitions?
International football events
Representing your country still holds a special place in every footballer's heart, no matter how much the club game has grown in money and complexity over the past few decades. Events such as the World Cup or European Championship and the Copa America are still marked in red on every football fan's calendar around the world and are true celebrations of the sport's greatness. There's nothing like the insane pressure and the highest stakes possible every four years when one of these events rolls around, and they form the foundation of what makes soccer so special. They are a must-watch affair for anyone even remotely interested in the game.
Champions League og Europa League
These two competitions serve as the pinnacle of club football, the place where the best club teams across Europe meet to determine who is the best of them all. A grueling and skill-testing double round-robin group stage is followed by a single-elimination knockout format to provide the perfect mix of reliability and excitement for fans. Innovation never stops either: UEFA's recent decisions to introduce the Swiss system to the Champions League group stage, coupled with the abolition of the away goals rule, means we can look forward to a completely different new format than we've seen. Before. A special shoutout must go to the Europa Conference League, the upcoming third tier of international club soccer with smaller teams, allowing fans of smaller soccer nations to experience the same kind of excitement previously only afforded to those who followed elite sides: cheering on their favorites in a cross-border competition for all the marbles.
The biggest domestic leagues
Premier League
Many would consider the English Premier League to be the best of Europe's top competitions, and with good reason: not only does recent results in the Champions League and Europa League confirm this observation, many of the best footballers in the world are involved in the competition, and the league is a veritable who's who of elite managers. A well-funded team can make all the difference in football, and the PL's fairly flat distribution of broadcast money ensures that there isn't the kind of built-in edge that you see in many other European football leagues, and it should come as no surprise that it is among the most popular competitions in the world of sports betting.
The league
The highest division of Spanish football features massively popular teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid, and with legendary players like Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema. These sides also used to dominate in an unprecedented way in Europe, with Spanish teams cruising into the business end of the Champions League year after year. Although the landscape has changed somewhat, these teams are still heavyweights in international football and the unique tactical approach seen in La Liga makes it a great competition to follow for any football fan.
Bundesliga
German football may be dominated by Bayern Munich, but their supporters, struggling from second to fifth place, are among the most unique in Europe. Teams from RB Leipzig to Borussia Dortmund offer dedicated fan bases, a special history and very different playing styles, making the Bundesliga a tactician's dream to follow and a fantastic competition for those interested in football betting.
in league
The Italian league used to be the powerhouse of Europe and it looks like the giant is finally emerging from its slumber. Stiffer competition for Juventus suggests a shift in the power dynamic on the peninsula, and the extremely tactical – some would say slow – nature of Italian football allows elite players who may no longer have the legs to continue to hold on elsewhere, to keep raging against the dying of the light.
Ligue 1
Although the French league may be derided as a "peasant league" by many due to how dominant PSG are supposed to be, the underrated sides regularly spring unpleasant surprises both at home and abroad. Just think of Lille's title win or Lyon's CL semi-final run at the expense of Manchester City a few years ago and you will realize that Ligue 1 is also among the best European football leagues.
How to get started with online soccer betting
Today, the best football betting sites make it convenient and simple to place a bet on your favorite team, and they offer a nice welcome bonus and improved odds to give you an even better service. Do your research among the different football betting sites and then create an account with the one that suits you best.
It's really simple from this point on: navigate to the site's football markets, select a match you're interested in, click on the predicted result, enter your bet, then click confirm and boom! you are ready to enjoy the big game!
Rivalry offers safe and regulated online soccer betting
Rivalry is among the safest football betting sites thanks to our reliable and secure platform. Our Isle of Man Gaming License is one of the most reputable in the gaming industry. Combine this with our fantastic offers such asRushlaneand kickass competitions for our customers, and you can easily see why we are confident that we are proudly among the best football betting sites.
Here's why football betting is the best on rivalries:
100% legal
We are fully licensed by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission.
100% certain
As is industry standard, all debts are enforceable by law and we strictly comply with all rules and regulations.
Instant deposits and real money
Cash is the legal and industry standard option and unlike shady alternatives like skins, it allows us to make your deposits available immediately and pay out to you faster.
Rivalry Academy
New to esports betting? No problems. OurRivalry Academyteaches you everything you need to know to start having fun and placing informed bets on your favorite games in a safe environment with all the information you need to have a great time.
Types of football betting
The breadth and depth of offer in terms of online football betting means there are many different potential betting options to familiarize yourself with if you want to maximize the fun you can have with your bets. There are many other betting types to consider, but these are the most important to have a good understanding of for any newbie.
Match win bet
It's as easy as it gets: guess the winner and take home your prize!
Spread bet
This works in the same way as it does in the case of any other sport and should be familiar to you if you have spent time at an online football betting site in the past. This bet type offers a handicap of 0.5 (or 1.5 or 2.5 etc) goals to the weaker team and you can bet accordingly if you think the favorites will still beat them or bet against them. This allows you to pinpoint instances where you expect the stronger team to win narrowly and get better odds than if you just bet on their outright win.
Futures (tournament winner)
These long term bets are traditionally about the tournament winners, but everything counts as you have to predict with several games to go. Which teams qualify for the Champions League knockout stage? Who will win the Bundesliga? Which Italian team will qualify for the Europa League at the end of the season? You can even bet on which manager will be sacked first this season, a fan favorite when it comes to Premier League betting.
Live betting
Although not strictly speaking a specific type of bet, live football betting lets you place in-play bets based on exactly what is happening on the pitch. The odds change in real time based on the events of the game and you will have to change your plans and strategies accordingly – it is one of the most exciting ways to bet though!
Try football games at Rivalry!
Check out our wide selection of football markets, exciting features and the generous bonuses offered on Rivalry's football betting platform along with a range of other options related totraditional sportsandsportens!
Frequently asked questions
How do you place a bet on football?
Find the match you are looking for on the betting page of your choice. Aftercreate an account, select the potential winner or specific bet you have in mind and then place your bet! Betting on your favorite football matches at Rivalry is 100% legal. We are licensed and regulated under the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission.
Is betting on soccer online legal?
And,online football bettingis legal as long as the site in question is properly regulated and licensed in your country. Rivalry's Isle of Man gambling license is one of the industry's gold standards and a thorough look atour legislative frameworkmust tell you that your money is safe with us.
Are there any football betting bonuses?
Yes, Rivalry offers onegenerous welcome bonus, so you can bet on your favorite football matches.
How do bookmakers calculate football betting odds?
Bookies have their own set of analysts and pundits who determine the potential outcome offootball matches, but they are not infallible: strong research and a good understanding of the game can help you find small edges where you can beat the house.
How do you read football odds?
Football odds work in the same way as withany other sport: Decimalodds like 1.5 indicate your total win, so a $10 bet will give you $15 including your bet. This would equate to 0.5/1 in fractional odds and -200 in American odds or moneylines.