Under 1.0 Goals in Football Betting: What does “Under 1” Mean?

Football has many markets to bet on and one that confuses punters is the “under 1.0” bet. This type of bet is popular in matches where low scoring games are expected.

But what does “under 1.0” actually mean and how can you make sense of it when placing your bets?

In this article we will break down the “under 1.0” betting, explain it in simple terms and look at some strategies for betting on it.

Whether you are a seasoned punter or just starting out by the end you will know what “under 1” means and how to use it to your advantage.

 

What does ‘Under 1.0 Goals’ mean in Football Betting?

Firstly, let’s take a look at exactly what ‘under 1.0 goals’ means in football betting. 

Definition of ‘under 1.0 goals’ bet

In football betting “under 1.0 goals” means a bet that there will be less than one goal in the whole match. So you are betting that the total goals will be zero, or in other words a 0-0 draw.

How this bet works

If the final score is 0-0, you win the bet.

If one goal is scored, you get your stake back and no money is lost or gained (this is called a “push” or “void”).

If more than one goal is scored, you lose your bet entirely.

Here is a table summarising how the under 1.0 bet works: 

 

Match Outcome	Under 1.0 Bet Result
0-0	Win
1-0 or 0-1	Push (stake returned)
1-1, 2-0, 2-1, etc	Loss

Under 1.0 vs Under 1.5

It’s important to note the difference between “under 1.0 goals” and “under 1.5 goals“.

Under 1.0 means you need a 0-0 result to win, under 1.5 means you win if there are less than two goals in the match.

So if the match ends 1-0 or 0-1 you would have you stake returned on an under 1.0 bet but win an under 1.5 bet.

The difference between under 1.0 goals and under 1.5 goals can be summarised as follows:-

 

Criteria	Under 1.0 Goals	Under 1.5 Goals
Winning Outcome	0-0	0-0, 1-0, 0-1
Push (stake returned)	1-0 or 0-1	N/A
Losing Outcome	1-1, 2-0, 2-1, etc	1-1, 2-0, 2-1, etc

Typical Odds for Under 1.0 Goals Bet

The odds for an under 1.0 goals bet will typically be high. 

For example, in a match between Manchester Utd and Tottenham Hotspur, the odds for under 1.0 goals is 12.0 (odds from the Betfair Exchange).

That compares to odds of 7.6 for under 1.5 goals and odds of 26.0 for the 0-0.

 

What does ‘Under 1 Mean’ in different situations

Let’s have a look at some examples of what under 1 goals means in different scenarios. 

What happens if no goals are scored?

When no goals are scored in a match (0-0) an “under 1.0 goals” bet is a simple win.

This is what you are hoping for when you place this type of bet.

What happens if one goal is scored

If one goal is scored the bet is a “push” and your original stake is returned.

You neither win nor lose, which is safer than other markets where any goal would mean a loss.

Split bet scenarios and partial wins/losses

In some cases you will find bets like “under 1.25 goals” which are split between under 1.0 and under 1.5.

If one goal is scored half your stake is returned (under 1.0 part) and the other half wins (under 1.5 part) so you will get a partial win.

Extra time and penalties for under 1.0 bets

Remember that “under 1.0 goals” bets only apply to regular time (90 minutes plus stoppage time).

Extra time, penalties and other post-90 minute events don’t count towards the bet.

 

Under 1.0 Goals pros and cons

What are the pros and cons of betting on under 1.0 goals then?

Pros

One of the main advantages of betting under 1.0 is the reduced risk.

If one goal is scored you get your stake back. This can be attractive for bettors who want to protect their bankroll in low scoring matches.

Cons and risks

On the other hand under 1.0 goals betting is very risky if two goals are scored.

The margin for error is very small and in most football matches there is always the possibility of late drama or surprise goals.

Compared to other football betting options

When compared to “under 2.5” or “over 1.5” this is a niche market.

It’s for those who expect a very low scoring match, it’s much riskier than betting on higher goal lines.

Things to consider before you bet under 1.0

Before you bet on this type of bet consider the teams’ defensive records, recent form and playing style.

Matches with solid defences or unmotivated attacking teams may be good for under 1.0 goals bets.

Strategies for under 1.0 Goals Betting

Research team stats and form

Before you bet on under 1.0 goals research on stats from sites like Flashscore is key. Look into the teams’ recent defensive performances, goal averages and clean sheets.

Teams that draw 0-0 or struggle to score are good for this market.

Ideally what you are looking for in this market is teams who tend to have 0-0 results, but the occasional 1-0 or 0-1. 

Remember games with one goal are okay, you get your stake returned. 

What we are trying to avoid are games likely to have two or more goals. 

Head to head and playing styles

Some teams have a style that leads to low scoring games.

A match between two defensive teams or a fixture with a history of 0-0 draws can be a good opportunity for this bet.

External factors (weather, injuries, motivation)

Weather, key injuries to attacking players, lack of motivation (like in a dead rubber match) can contribute to a low scoring match and make under 1.0 goals a good bet.

Timing and odds movement

Timing your bet is also important.

Odds on under 1.0 can move based on team news, pre-match analysis or in-play events.

Keep an eye on these movements to place your bet at the right time.

 

Mistakes to avoid when betting under 1.0

Ignoring the draw

Many bettors forget to consider the draw when betting under 1.0 goals. But this is the only scenario where you win the bet outright so you must consider if a 0-0 draw is possible.

Ignoring recent team trends

Team form and recent results are key. If you ignore recent trends or rely too much on old data you’ll be betting against the current momentum of a team and increase your risk.

Not shopping for the best odds

Shopping around for the best odds on under 1.0 can make a big difference to your long term profits.

Different bookmakers have different odds on the same market so it’s worth comparing before you bet.

Betting to recover losses with under 1.0 bets

And finally, betting to recover losses by doubling down on under 1.0 bets is a common mistake.

As with any type of betting, you must manage your bankroll and not get tempted to recover your losses quickly.

 

Conclusion

In summary, under 1.0 goals is a special market that requires research and knowledge of football.

It’s a bet for punters who expect a 0-0 draw with the safety net of a stake refund if one goal is scored.

By understanding this bet type and applying some strategies you’ll increase your chances of winning and minimize the risk.