Handicap in Football Betting

What Is Handicap Betting?

Handicap football betting is a market designed to make an event more of an even contest. Here at LeoVegas Sportsbook, we give an advantage in the form of goals to one team before the game begins. This is based on how the two teams are likely to perform in the match.

For example, if Manchester City were at home to Norwich, they would be heavy favorites to win the match, which is not an attractive proposition for bettors. In the handicap market, Norwich may begin the game with a two-goal head start (Manchester City 0 vs 2 Norwich). Punters then need to decide if they feel Manchester City will win by more than two goals or if they want to back Norwich with the two extra goals.

In most handicap markets, there is very little between the two teams when it comes to odds. This is the case as the line set should ensure there is close to a 50-50 chance of either team being successful.

What Types of Handicap Bets are Available in Football?

Handicap football betting consists of three types of bets. There's the 3-way handicap, no draw handicap, and Asian handicap.

3 Way Handicap in Football

In 3 way handicap, as the name suggests, there are three possible outcomes at the end of the game: the home team winning, the away team winning, and a draw. Prices will be available on all three of these possibilities.

If the home team is the favorite, the away team may get a one-goal start in the 3-way handicap market. The home team needs to win by two goals or more to prevail. If the home team wins by exactly one goal, the draw will be the winning outcome, while if the game finishes in a tie or with the away team prevailing, the away team in the handicap market is the winner.

No Draw Handicap

There are just two possible outcomes in the no-draw handicap market, which is why this is a popular option for many bettors. This is ensured by using 0.5 at the end of the handicap mark. The underdogs will be set marks such as +0.5, +1.5, +2.5, +3.5, etc.

With a 1.5-goal advantage given to the underdogs, the side deemed the superior team will need to win by two goals or more in this market, while a one-goal defeat or better for the underdogs will see them win.

Asian handicap

Asian handicap markets eliminate the possibility of the draw being an outcome in the game you are betting on. Like all handicap football betting markets, the result still depends on how big of a head start a team receives. In the game between Manchester City and Norwich, the latter was given +2 in this market. Manchester City needs to win by three goals or more. Norwich will be the winner in this handicap market if they lose by one goal or better, while if Manchester City win by two goals exactly, it is a push, so you receive your stake back.

If the line in your Asian handicap market is a half number (+0.5, +1.5, +2.5, etc), there are only two possible outcomes: the home team winning and the away team winning.

Another possible option you may come across in a handicap market is quarter lines. This is where handicap marks of -0.25/+0.25 and -0.75/+0.75 will be dished out. In this market, you may also win/lose half your stake as a possible outcome. For example, if you take a team who has a handicap mark of -0.25 in this market, if they win by a goal, you win your full bet. If the match is drawn, you lose half your stake.

How To Place A Handicap Bet on Football?

You can place a handicap bet here at LeoVegas on football by clicking on the match you want to bet on. The full list of handicap football betting markets available will be on display, along with all the other markets for that game.

The handicap mark for each team will be displayed along with their respective odds. This will allow you to consider which team you want to back. Once you have made that choice, click on their odds to add it to your bet slip.

Like all selections in your bet slip, LeoVegas will calculate your potential return for your bet after you add your stake. When you are happy to strike your bet, click ‘place bet’ and we will provide a confirmation bet when it is accepted.

Here at LeoVegas, we also offer handicap football betting in-play, so if you miss the start of a match or you would like the watch the opening stages, you can then place your bet. The handicap lines obviously change as goals are scored in the match.

Football Handicap Betting FAQ

What is Goal Handicap in Football Betting?

Goal handicap is the most common form of handicap betting in football. It is where one team begins with an advantage to make the game more competitive for betting purposes. For example, the away team may be given a +1.5 goal start. You then must decide if you back the home side to win by two goals or more or to take the away team to lose by one goal or better.

In goal handicap betting, you may see 3-way betting, no draw handicap, and Asian handicap markets. The prices and goal lines may vary from one to the other, so it is wise to study the different options and decide which is best for you.

What Does Handicap +1 Mean in Football?

A +1 handicap means the team you are backing gets a one-goal head start before the action begins. To be successful, the team you are backing only needs to draw for this to be a winning bet.

Many factors are considered when it comes to determining which team is given the +1 start. These include match odds, league position, and if a team is at home or away. They are ultimately considered to be the underdogs in the match.

What Does +2 Handicap Mean in Football?

If you see a +2 handicap in football betting, the team will get a two-goal start before a ball is kicked. This line is often used when one team is far superior than the other. It gives you a more competitive option when it comes to betting on the match.

With a +2 start, the team you are backing can either win, draw or lose by just one goal for you to have a winning bet. If you are backing the other team, they will need to win by three goals or more for you to prevail.

What is Handicap +1 Away?

The away team in the match will start with a goal in their favor when you see a handicap +1 away. If you feel a game is going to be very close, you may prefer this option to back the away team to win, as a draw would be a winning result for you.

In the +1 away market, if you choose to back the home team, they need to win by two goals or more.

What Does a Handicap of +1.5 Mean?

In handicap betting, when a team has +1.5 next to their name, it means they have a 1.5-goal head start. For them to be the winning team in this market, they just need to avoid losing by more than one goal.

What Does +0.5 handicap Mean?

You are likely to see a +0.5 line in a no-draw handicap market in football. If you are backing the team who has the +0.5 in their favor, your team needs to draw or win for you to be successful. On the flip side, if you are backing the team with a line of -0.5, they must win the game. The reason 0.5 is used in these markets is that it rules out the draw being an outcome in the handicap market.

What Does 3+ Mean in Betting?

When a team is handed 3+ in a handicap market in football, they start the game with three goals on their side of the score. It is a large advantage, but it is done as the team they are facing is much better, so this acts as a handicap to level the scores.

With a 3+ advantage, a team needs to lose by only two goals or better than that scoreline for your bet to be successful. The opposite team will start the game -3 and have to win by four goals or more here.

What is a +2.5 Handicap in Football?

A +2.5 handicap is found in a no-draw handicap market. The team you are backing will begin the match with 2.5 goals in their favor. If they lose by two goals or a scoreline more favorable than that, they are the winners in this market.

With a +2.5 handicap, there is no chance of the two teams tying in the handicap market as 0.5 ensures that is not possible.