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Sports 17 February 2025

Making Sense of Betting!

Over/Under Betting: What Does It Mean?

A footballer, in an all-white kit about to kick a ball - will this help the over/under bet?

OVER/UNDER BETTING EXPLAINED

Lottoland's Sports betting welcome package

WHAT IS OVER/UNDER BETTING?

Simply put, Over/Under betting is a type of sports bet where punters predict whether a particular statistic—such as the number of goals in a soccer game or the total points for a rugby bet—will be over or under a set number.

For example, in a soccer bet, a sportsbook might offer a bet on the total number of goals scored in the game, such as Over/Under 2.5 goals. If you bet on Over 2.5, you’re predicting that there will be at least three goals scored in the match. On the other hand, a bet on Under 2.5 means you're predicting that there will be two or fewer goals.

While bets on goals or points scored in match are the most popular Over/Under bet, this is a market that goes much further than that! For example, in soccer you can use Over/Under betting on yellow cards, corner kicks or the number of goals scored in a single half. Often there is also the option to combine this bet with another to create a “Double” and increase the potential return. 

In the Over/Under 1.5 goals market, punters bet on whether the total number of goals scored in the game will be more than 1.5 (Over 1.5) or fewer than 1.5 (Under 1.5).

For instance, if a soccer game ends with a 2-0 scoreline, the total number of goals is 2, meaning an Over 1.5 bet would win. On the other-hand, if the final score is 1-0, this means the match had under 1.5 goals. This simplicity means that Over/Under 1.5 bets have become popular for both beginners and experienced punters seeking a lower-risk betting option.

UNDERSTANDING OVER/UNDER 2.5 GOALS BETTING

The Over/Under 2.5 goals market is similar but with a slightly higher risk and potential reward. Here, you’re predicting whether the total number of goals scored in a game will be more or less than 2.5.

Take a match that ends 3-1 as an example. Here, the total goals scored are 4, meaning the Over 2.5 bet would be a winner. However, if the game were to finish 1-1, that’s 2 goals, so the Under 2.5 bet wins. Often, the 2.5 line is favoured in games where both teams are expected to be attack-minded, or in leagues with a higher average number of goals.

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL OVER/UNDER BETTING

Obviously there is no strategy that can guarantee that every bet is a winner, but there are some actions that you can take to make yopur bet less of a lottery and improve your chances of picking a potential winner!

  1. Research Team Form: Look at both teams’ recent record and make your judgements based on that. Has one of the teams been scoring a lot recently? If so, then you may want to look the Over/Under Goals market. Have you noticed that the matches between these two teams are often fiery and aggressive? If that is the case then you may want to look at the Over/Under Bookings market instead.
  2. Home vs. Away: Home teams often have an advantage, scoring more goals on average than away teams. Consider how home advantage might impact the total goals. You can dive even deeper, and analyse the home and away form of the two teams that are going to play; do they tend to be more attacking or more defensive, or do they play for corners? Use this information to build your bet, and possibly give yourself an edge.
  3. Weather and External Factors: Weather conditions, such as rain, can affect a match’s tempo and the number of goals scored – particularly in rugby. Teams may struggle to score in poor weather, there may be more bad tackles, or less shots on target so keep this in mind when considering which bet to place.

HOW TO PLACE OVER/UNDER BETS IN SOUTH AFRICA

To place Over/Under bets in South Africa, follow these simple steps:

  1. Register your account with Lottoland.
  2. Navigate to the sporting match-up you would like to bet on.
  3. Look for the Over/Under markets, usually displayed alongside other betting options like Draw-No-Bet and handicaps.
  4. Select the line (0.5, 1.5 or 2.5 etc) that you want to bet on.
  5. Enter your stake and confirm your bet.

OVER/UNDER BETTING WITH LOTTOLAND

For sports punters in South Africa, Over/Under betting offers a comparatively low-risk bet, that can be combined with others to boost your odds. Focusing on markets like Over/Under 1.5 and 2.5 goals, you can enjoy lower-risk options or you can chose to build a bet with higher-odds – and higher reward!

FAQ - OVER/UNDER BETTING

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF UNDER 3.5 GOALS IN SOCCER?

A bet on "Under 3.5 goals" means you are wagering that the total number of goals scored in the soccer match will be fewer than four. For the bet to win, the final score must be 3 goals or fewer. If the game ends with 4 or more goals, the bet will lose.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF UNDER 4.5 GOALS IN SOCCER?

When you bet on "Under 4.5 goals," you are predicting that the total number of goals scored in the match will be fewer than five. For example, a scoreline of 3-1 or 2-2 would result in a win for this bet, as there are fewer than five goals. If the total is 5 goals or more, the bet will lose.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF UNDER 5.5 GOALS IN SOCCER?

A bet on "Under 5.5 goals" means that you are betting the total number of goals in the match will be fewer than six. For example, a 3-2 result or a 1-1 draw would mean your bet wins. However, if the game ends with six or more goals (e.g., 4-2 or 3-3), the bet will lose.

WHAT DOES OVER 0.5 GOALS AND UNDER 0.5 GOALS MEAN IN SOCCER BETTING?

A bet on "Over 0.5 goals" means at least one goal must be scored in the match for the bet to win. If the game ends 0-0, the bet loses. Conversely, "Under 0.5 goals" means that no goals must be scored throughout the match. If even one goal is scored, the bet loses. Betting on "Under 0.5 goals" is effectively the same as wagering on the match to end in a goalless draw.

IS UNDER GOALS BETTING THE SAME AS UNDER 2.5 GOALS IN SOCCER?

Yes, Under goals betting is a term that generally refers to betting on the total number of goals in a soccer match being fewer than a specified number. The most common line used is Under 2.5 goals, but it can be applied to any number, such as Under 3.5 or Under 5.5. So, "Under 2.5 goals" is a specific example of under goals betting.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNDER GOALS BETTING AND OVER GOALS BETTING IN SOCCER?

The main difference is that in Under goals betting, you are betting that the total number of goals in the match will be fewer than a specified number (e.g., Under 2.5 goals), while in Over goals betting, you are betting that the total will be greater than that number (e.g., Over 2.5 goals). For example, if you bet on Under 2.5 goals, the total goals must be 2 or fewer. On the other hand, if you bet on Over 2.5 goals, the total goals must be 3 or more.

WHAT IS A GOOD STRATEGY FOR UNDER GOALS BETTING IN SOCCER?

A good strategy for Under goals betting involves carefully studying the teams’ playing styles and recent form. Look for matches where both teams have strong defensive records or a tendency to draw with low-scoring results. Also, consider factors such as injuries, weather conditions, and playing styles—teams with solid defences and less attacking focus are more likely to produce lower-scoring games.

WHEN IS UNDER GOALS BETTING IN SOCCER MOST COMMONLY USED?

Under goals betting is often used when betting on matches involving teams with strong defences or teams that are expected to play cautiously, such as in high-stakes knockout games, derbies, or matches where both teams have struggled to score goals recently. It’s also popular in leagues or tournaments known for lower-scoring matches.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF UNDER GOALS BETTING IN SOCCER?

One of the main advantages of Under goals betting is that it provides an alternative to traditional match result betting, especially in games where there is a clear favourite and the odds on the winner are unattractive. It can offer better value when the expectation is that few goals will be scored. Moreover, Under goals betting is often less volatile than betting on specific outcomes, such as match results or goal scorers.

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by Tom
Tom
What I Cover: I am always intrigued to discover how lotteries from around the world can seem so different. Thanks to this interest, you will find me writing about the histories, traditions and records of lotteries from every corner of the world!

I am also an avid sports fan, so from time to time I will also cover in-depth guides to help you understand how sports betting works.

My Background: I have been working in the industry since 2020. In that time I have written countless articles related to lotteries, sports, casinos and the history of gambling.

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