How to Make Money Betting on Football: Unlock the Secrets & Proven Strategies

So, you want to make money betting on football? You’re not alone. Football is the world’s most popular sport to bet on, with over $700 billion wagered every year. That’s a lot of zeros.

But here’s the thing—just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s easy to win. In fact, about 98% of people who bet on football end up losing money due to the challenges (and scams) prevalent in the betting industry. Ouch.

But don’t go ripping up your bet slips just yet! While the odds may seem stacked against you, there are smart ways to play the game.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior hoping to boost your beer money or someone looking to turn a serious profit, there are strategies that can help you win—without needing a crystal ball.

 

Can You Really Make Money Betting on Football?

Many people ask if it’s even possible to make money betting on football.

The truth is that it is possible, but let’s be clear—it’s not easy.

While most bettors—about 98%—end up losing money, there’s a small group of professionals who consistently turn a profit by placing well-structured football bets.

One of the most famous examples is Tony Bloom, often referred to as the “the Lizard.” Bloom has made millions from football betting, and he didn’t do it by guessing or relying on luck.

Professional bettor Tony Ansell has also made a reported £750,000 from betting on football, primarily through his knowledge of Scottish football, using a combination of stats analysis and his contacts with players.

So, what sets successful bettors like Tony Bloom and Tony Ansell apart from the rest?

1. A Data-Driven Approach: Bloom is known for his use of complex algorithms and data analysis. Successful bettors treat betting like a business, using detailed statistics and models to find value in the markets. They don’t rely on hunches—they rely on numbers.

2. Discipline and Emotional Control: The pros stick to their strategies no matter what. They don’t chase losses, and they don’t get carried away by a winning streak. Emotional betting is a quick way to lose money, and professionals know this better than anyone.

3. Long-Term Perspective: Professional bettors understand that success doesn’t happen overnight. They’re focused on consistent, long-term profits, not quick wins. They accept that losing streaks are part of the game and don’t let them affect their overall strategy.

4. Specialized Knowledge: Just like Bloom and Ansell, who have a deep understanding of the sports they bet on, successful bettors often focus on specific leagues or markets where they have a knowledge edge. This specialization allows them to spot value that others might miss.

In summary, yes, you can make money betting on football, but it requires more than just passion for the sport.

It demands a disciplined, data-driven approach and the ability to think long-term—qualities that define the small percentage of bettors who beat the odds.

Most of all to make money betting on football you need strategies that can find value bets—or in other words where the odds are higher than they should be. 

Let’s take a look at some of those strategies now.  

 

Strategies to Make Money from Football Betting 

Now we explore the top five proven approaches. These are the kind of strategies that professionals use to make money betting on football. 

They are strategies that look for an edge in the market and to go against what the vast majority of punters are doing. 

 

5. Follow Expert Traders

You don’t have to go it alone. There are experienced traders out there who’ve been making money from football traders for years, and they’re more than happy to share their wisdom.

Platforms like Goal Profits allow you to follow seasoned traders in real-time, seeing exactly what they’re betting on and why.

Kevin and Steve, two of the top traders on Goal Profits, have built a loyal following by consistently making successful football trades on Betfair. 

They focus on strategies like correct score predictions and half-time markets, and they’ve been successful enough to make a living from it.

By following experts like them, you can piggyback on their success while you learn the ropes.

How It Works: Top traders are experienced professionals who use advanced strategies and insider knowledge to place successful trades. They aim to place a back trade and then lay at lower odds (or vice versa) to guarantee a profit. 

For a detailed explanation on how to back, lay, and trade on betting exchanges, please refer to our comprehensive guide.

Following along on a live chat room, you can see the trades and copy their moves.  

Example: If a top trader at a platform like Goal Profits recommends trading on a specific match based on their analysis of team form and odds, you can place a similar trade.

For instance, if the trader predicts a high-scoring game and places a trade on the over 2.5 goals market, you can also do this. Then if there are early goals and they recommended closing out the trade for a profit, you can do the same. 

Tools Needed:

• Betting Exchange: Platforms like Betfair or Smarkets to be able to place trades
• Trading software: for example Bet Angel to allow fast execution of trades, the use of ladders and other trading aides.
• Trading advice: e.g. Goal Profits, to allow you to follow traders and access their recommendations.
• Live Stats and Data: Tools to monitor real-time statistics and betting trends such as Flashscore.
• Community Forums: Joining forums or chat rooms associated with these platforms to engage with other bettors and receive updates.

 

4. Draw Betting

Betting on a draw is often overlooked, but it can be a profitable strategy. Most bettors tend to back one team to win, so bookmakers often offer higher odds on draws due to lower betting volume.

However, blindly betting on draws isn’t a winning strategy.

Instead, focus on leagues and teams with a high tendency to draw, such as those in low-scoring leagues.

Identifying these opportunities can give you an edge and lead to consistent profits.

How It Works: Betting on a draw involves placing a wager on the match ending in a tie. This strategy can be profitable if you identify games where draws are more likely but often overlooked by the public.

Draw bets can offer higher odds, especially in low-scoring leagues or matches with evenly matched teams.

Example: In a match between two evenly matched teams in a low-scoring league, bookmakers might offer higher odds for a draw.

For instance, if two mid-table teams with a history of frequent draws are playing, betting on the draw might offer value due to less public attention and higher odds.

Tools Needed:

• Betting Odds Comparison Websites: Tools like Oddschecker to compare draw odds across different bookmakers.
• Team and Match Statistics: Websites like WhoScored or SofaScore to analyze team performance and draw frequency.
• Historical Data: Access to historical match data to identify patterns in draw outcomes.

 

3. Use a Top Tipster to Make a Tax-Free Second Income

If you don’t have the time or expertise to analyse matches, consider following a reputable tipster.

A good tipster spends hours studying form, stats, and other factors to find value bets, saving you time and effort.

Some top tipsters have made significant profits, and by following their advice, you can potentially do the same. 

Here are three exceptional football tipsters discovered through our research:

1. The Inside Man: Established in 2020, The Inside Man used to work for a top bookmaker but is now on the other side of the fence as a professional punter. Focusing on major European leagues, Champions League, Europa League, and international tournaments, he provides bets in markets including Asian handicap, match odds and player passes. With a total profit of over 150 points and an impressive £3,000 profit at £50 stakes during our trial, The Inside Man stands among the top football tipsters available.
2. The Footy God: This tipping service has maintained an exceptional record of success since starting out. With a remarkable total profit of over 80 points and a striking success rate exceeding 70%, The Footy God’s tips consistently yield winners. 
3. Winning Footy Tips: Operating under the Bets for Today website, this long-running and successful tipster has accumulated over 190 points in profit since 2012. With a return on investment exceeding 10%, their primary focus lies on major European leagues, offering tips in the match odds market along with HT/FT and other specialized markets. Winning Footy Tips‘ consistent performance over the long term has established their credibility.

How It Works: Top tipsters provide betting recommendations based on extensive analysis and research.

By following their tips, you can leverage their expertise to increase your chances of making profitable bets.

Many tipsters have proven track records and offer tips through subscription services.

Example: A tipster like The Inside Man might provide tips on specific bets, such as predicting a team to win with a particular handicap or betting on a player to score. By subscribing to their service, you can receive these tips and place bets accordingly.

Tools Needed:

• Tipster Subscription Service: Websites or services like The Inside Man or The Footy God for access to expert betting tips.
• Betting Account: An account with a bookmaker or exchange to place the recommended bets.
• Record-Keeping Tools: Spreadsheet or betting tracking software to monitor the performance of the tips and manage your betting records.

 

2. Go Against the Crowd to Profit from Soccer.

Creating your own betting strategy can be challenging but rewarding. A contrarian approach, where you go against popular opinion, can be particularly effective.

Instead of backing well-known teams, consider betting on underrated teams that offer better value.

A great example of this was Leicester City’s incredible title win in the 2015-16 Premiership season.

Despite their form, they maintained favorable odds against bigger teams, providing excellent value for those who backed them.

Similarly, big-name teams like Manchester United, Barcelona, and Real Madrid can sometimes be overvalued due to their reputation.

This is particularly the case when they out of form, but are still priced as strong favourites due to being such huge clubs. 

Betting against them when they’re out of form can be a smart move. It’s amazing how the odds on these teams stays low despite a long run of poor results. 

Here for example was a run of games Manchester Utd had against supposed lesser teams in the 2023-24 season:

• Burnley (H): Odds: 1.50 – drew
• Coventry (FA Cup) 1.44 – drew
• Bournemouth (A): 2.63 – drew
• Brentford (A): 2.05 – drew
• Fulham (H): 1.65 – Lost

Those were games Man Utd were favourites for and in a number of cases they were odds-on. 

Their form did not warrant such favouritism though and backing them not to win would have paid dividends over this period.  

Backing against favourites like this can be done either via match odds market (by laying them) or the Asian handicap market (by giving the underdog a head-start on the handicap). 

How It Works: This strategy involves betting against popular opinion or mainstream picks. By identifying opportunities where the public consensus may be skewed, you can find value bets. This often means betting on less popular outcomes or underdog teams.

Example: If the majority of bets are placed on a high-profile team, but you believe an underdog has a better chance of winning based on recent form and stats, betting on the underdog can offer higher odds and value.

As in the example of Manchester Utd above, backing against them when playing lesser teams paid dividends. 

Tools Needed:

• Betting Market Analysis Tools: Platforms like Betfair to analyze betting market trends and identify where the crowd’s money is going.
• Public Betting Data: Access to betting volume and market movement data to see where the public is placing their bets.
• Alternative Data Sources: Tools like FiveThirtyEight or football data analytics websites like Flashscore to gain insights into less obvious betting opportunities.

 

1. Use a Matched Betting Product and Take the Bookies to the Cleaners

The most reliable way to make money from football betting is through matched betting, using platforms like Profit Maximiser.

This method involves taking advantage of free bets and bonuses offered by bookmakers, ensuring a profit regardless of the outcome.

Matched betting has become a popular way to make a tax-free income, with many people making good returns from it. 

By using a matched betting service like Profit Maximiser, you can access all the best offers and learn how to maximize them.

We tested this ourselves and made over £2,000 in three months.

If you’re serious about making money from football betting, matched betting is the way to go.

Just keep in mind that it’s only viable in countries where free bets are allowed, like the UK and Ireland.

How It Works: Matched betting involves taking advantage of free bet promotions offered by bookmakers. It is explained fully in our comprehensive matched betting guide. 

By placing bets on all possible outcomes of an event using these promotions, you can guarantee a profit regardless of the result.

Matched betting products streamline this process by providing tools and guidance on how to execute these bets.

Example: A bookmaker offers a free bet of $50. You place a qualifying bet to receive the free bet and then use matched betting strategies to place bets on all outcomes of a game (e.g., bet on the win, lose, or draw) to ensure a profit.

Tools Needed:

• Matched Betting Software: Platforms like Profit Maximiser or OddsMonkey to find and manage free bet offers.
• Betting Exchanges: Sites like Betfair to place opposing bets and manage your matched betting activities.
• Free Bet Offers: Regularly check bookmakers for promotions and free bet offers to use in your matched betting strategy.

By using these strategies and tools, you can enhance your football betting approach and improve your chances of making a profit.

 

 

Conclusion

Making money from football betting isn’t easy, and most bettors end up losing. But with the right approach, you can increase your chances of success.

Whether it’s using a matched betting product like Profit Maximiser, following a top tipster, or developing your own strategy, there are ways to gain an edge.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can even explore free football tips as an alternative to subscribing to paid services.

We welcome any additional suggestions or ideas you may have regarding making money from football betting. Feel free to share your thoughts with us below!