The ultimate bet is always the one you would have placed after the match, right? Unfortunately, time travel isn’t possible, but there is a way to experience a similar advantage: second half betting. By observing the first half, taking notes, and analyzing the game, you can make informed bets during the second half, often at higher odds than the pre-game market. This strategy arms you with two powerful weapons that can lead to long-term profitability.
The first weapon is quite obvious: You have already witnessed half of the game. You don’t need to speculate about starting lineups or wonder about the weather conditions. All the necessary information is right in front of you, including team aggression levels, coach tactics, player performance, and the referee’s influence on the match.
The second weapon is even more intriguing: The odds in the second half are influenced by factors beyond the teams’ strength and motivation. Regardless of a team’s potential, shots on goal, or overall offensive and defensive play, the odds adjust based on measurable factors such as the current score and remaining time. This creates numerous opportunities for valuable bets.
Need an example? Let’s say you’re watching a match with pre-game odds of 1.65-3.60-5.00 for the 1X2 market and 1.80/2.00 for over/under 2.5 goals. How would these odds change if the match is still goalless at halftime, despite the home team’s domination and near misses on goal, while the opponent poses a threat on counterattacks?
While the bookie considers the match’s potential, they can’t offer the same odds after half the game has passed. The most likely scenario is that the 1X2 odds would transform into something like 2.00-2.30-8.50, and the over 2.5 goals odds would rise to over 2.80. Having witnessed the home team’s dominance in the first 45 minutes, a second half bet on the home team or the over 2.5 goals would be a valuable opportunity.
By utilizing the second half betting strategy, you can leverage the advantage of real-time information and odds fluctuations to make calculated and potentially profitable bets.
Different Types of Second Half Betting
How do second half bets function? There are two primary categories of second half betting markets:
Pre-match Markets with Evolving Odds: These markets include 1X2, over/under goals, both teams to score, correct score, and more. The odds in these markets continuously change during live betting as the game progresses.
Specific Second Half Betting Markets: These markets are independent of what occurred in the first half. For instance, you can place a bet on “both teams to score in the second half” regardless of the first half score, or bet on the “winner of the second half” based solely on goals scored after the break.
Why You Should Avoid Pre-Game Second Half Markets
You may have noticed second half bets in the pre-game markets, usually accompanied by first half bets, which are more popular and valuable. However, I recommend steering clear of pre-game second half bets because they strip away your greatest advantage: the knowledge gained from actually watching the first half.
Consider it from a different perspective: Pre-game second half bet odds are predominantly based on statistical analysis. Bookmakers assess numbers such as second-half performance and goals scored to determine odds. Yet, that is precisely what YOU do to decide which bet to place. Without “live data” from the match, you’re forced to rely on numbers. If both you and the bookmaker are doing the same thing, it becomes extremely challenging to find a valuable bet.
By avoiding pre-game second half markets and focusing on live betting, you can leverage the advantage of real-time information and make more informed and potentially profitable bets.
Finding Value in Second Half Bets
The fundamental principle of identifying value in second half bets is that the bookmaker should offer “fairer” odds compared to pre-match odds. But what does “fairer” mean? This is subjective and varies from punter to punter, as everyone sets their own limits. However, there are some commonly accepted guidelines. For instance, if the pre-match odds for a home win were 1.50, they should rise to around 2.20 at halftime (assuming no team is winning). Similarly, a pre-match home win offered at odds of 2.00 should be offered around 2.60-2.80 or higher at halftime to be considered enticing.
Statistics for Second Half Bets
If you want to grasp the concept of winning second half bets and develop a specific strategy, it’s essential to conduct thorough research into statistics. By analyzing the numbers, you can uncover valuable insights that will assist you in making more accurate betting decisions. One particularly challenging aspect of statistical analysis is understanding the difference between goals scored in the first and second halves.
By studying these statistics, you can enhance your understanding of second half betting and increase your chances of finding profitable opportunities.
Top Strategies for Second Half Betting
When it comes to football betting, implementing the following popular strategies for the second half could lead to long-term profitability:
Over 1.5 Goals in the Second Half: This strategy proves to be highly profitable, as you only need two goals instead of three for a payout. If the score is 0-0 at halftime, the odds will be slightly higher than the pre-match over 2.5 goals market. With one goal, the odds are slightly higher than the pre-match Over 0.5 goals market. The German Bundesliga and Italy Serie A are the best leagues to follow for this strategy, as 58% and 57% of matches, respectively, have more goals in the second half.
Over 4.5 Corners in the Second Half: This popular strategy is recommended for matches where the pre-match corner market is set at 9.5 or 10.5, and there were under 4.5 corners in the first half. Typically, there tend to be more corners in the second half, regardless of the score. The Dutch Eredivisie and the Belgium Jupiler League are good leagues to practice this strategy.
Over 1.5 Yellow Cards in the Second Half: This strategy is influenced by the scoreline. If the favorite team has scored one or two goals in the first half, there may be less aggression. However, in cases of a draw or the underdog leading, the defensive effort tends to increase. Referees generally tend to be more lenient in giving out yellow cards in the first half and become more cautious in the last minutes. The English Premiership is the best league to follow for this type of bet, with over 77% of matches having over 1.5 yellow cards in the second half.
Both Teams to Score in the Second Half: This strategy can be applied regardless of the halftime score. Although the possibility and odds increase with a goalless draw at halftime, it’s not guaranteed. Look for leagues with high-scoring matches and teams that are evenly matched without a clear favorite. The Norwegian Tippenligaen and the Mexican Premier League are ideal leagues for this market, with a long-term possibility of 52% for both teams to score at least one goal in the second half.
Late Goals: This strategy, commonly known as goals scored after the 75th minute, is gaining popularity due to the higher odds involved. Look for teams that are capable of making a comeback regardless of the current match result. For example, during the 2018-19 season, Liverpool scored after the 75th minute in over 50% of their Premier League matches (11 out of 19 at home and 9 out of 19 away). Similarly, mid-table teams can be considered if you conduct thorough research. Crystal Palace, for instance, managed to score in the last quarter of 16 out of 38 matches.
By utilizing these strategies and conducting proper analysis, you can enhance your chances of making successful second half bets. Sign up on Betstro and try your luck on second half betting!