Football Betting Strategy: Secondary Markets Explained

These days, bookmakers are focused on giving the punter as many opportunities to bet as possible, and we see that in evidence with such diverse football betting markets as ‘first goal to be an own goal’, ‘who will register a clean sheet’ and ‘who will concede a penalty’. Here are some of the many options outside of win markets that are available online.
Brand | Inplay Football | Live Streaming - Football | Bet Builder Soccer | Visit Site |
---|---|---|---|---|
Established 2016 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Play Now |
19+. T&C Apply. Play Responsibly | ||||
Established 1997 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Play Now |
Must be 19+ to participate. T&Cs apply. Play Responsibly. | ||||
Established 2018 | Yes | No | Yes | Play Now |
Must be 19+ to participate. T&Cs apply. Play Responsibly. |
'Draw No Bet' and ‘Double Chance’ Markets
If you try to navigate yourself around football betting markets offered by the best online bookmakers, it is difficult to know where to start. However, the markets themselves are pretty self-explanatory. If you are browsing Premier League betting odds, for example, and want to place a bet on Chelsea to beat West Ham, but without there being the chance of a draw, then you can use the ‘draw no bet’ market. If you think that Chelsea will either win or draw at full-time then you can bet on the ‘double chance’ market, which gives you both options, although at a diminished price.
‘Win to Nil’ and 'Correct Score' Market
If you feel that Chelsea are going to win without their opposition scoring, then the best market to use is the ‘win to nil’ market, which allows you to bet on Chelsea not conceding a goal. Predicting the correct score is a very popular market among punters, too; as its name suggests, you are required to guess the correct score at the end of the match. The odds for this market are usually very good, because predicting the outcome is almost pure guesswork.
'Goalscorer' Markets
Goals and goalscorer markets can pay off well when approached correctly. Predicting the first goal scorer can be difficult, seeing as there will be a chance of any one of eight or nine players likely to get on the score sheet. Of course, theoretically, any one of twenty-two players can score, but there is less chance of a defender scoring than a forward, for example. This, along with ‘anytime scorer’, ‘first to score for their team’, ‘last goal scorer’, and ‘first to score two or more goals’ each follow the same pattern: odds are offered by bookmakers for each respective outcome and you simply bet on whichever development you think will happen. This is a secondary market that’s always worth a look at when considering a punt.
'Half-Time / Full-Time' Market
Estimating the correct score at half-time and full-time is also a popular option, as is guessing who you will think will be ahead at both stages. For all these secondary football betting markets, the odds provided are bound to be better than the straight ‘win-draw-lose’, so it is worth hunting around for the market that suits you best.
Top Goalscorer betting is available on plenty of football leagues and tournaments. To win on any League Top Scorer market, you simply pick the player who is going to score the most goals throughout that particular campaign.
It could be the Premier League Top Scorer, it could be the Champions League Top Scorer, or it might even be a tournament like the World Cup - where you’re betting on who will win perhaps the most coveted Golden Boot of them all.
Cards Markets
Bookmakers have sections devoted to “Cards” when it comes to the pre-match betting markets and these type of markets also lend themselves well to In-Play betting.
The first card betting market you’ll generally see is “Number of Cards in Match” which is a straight choice between Over / Under a certain number of cards.
For a standard game, you might expect the line to be 2.5 cards, although it could be a good deal higher for a match such as a derby or one involving teams with poor disciplinary records. You can also bet on a particular player to be booked.
This is a really fun market where you’re literally picking out someone who is going to have a card brandished in his direction during the course of the game. You might see the favourite trading at around 3/1 although several players generally trade at the 9/2 mark which can represent a decent return.
We then have something called Card Handicap where you can bet on which team will get the most cards and there are also markets such as Asian Total Cards, First Card Received, Time of First Card, Team Cards, First 10 Minutes and Red Card in the Match.

The Sack Race Market
This market is available for some off-pitch betting. Dubbed 'The Sack Race', top bookmakers take bets on which manager will be next to fall on his sword or pushed out the door. Even though the market is colloquially known as ‘The Sack Race’, you may often find it more formally named as ‘Next Manager to Leave’ at your preferred bookie.
The average tenure of a Premier League manager has plummeted in recent years as a result of the increasingly cut-throat nature of the business. Relegation can prove financially catastrophic for a top-flight club and owners with little patience now sack their managers with alarming regularity when results go south.
At the other end of the table, failure to achieve a top-four finish to qualify for the Champions League can also doom managers at elite clubs, ensuring that the managerial merry-go-round becomes a fascinating feature of every season.
The sack race has, therefore, become an extremely popular market for those interested in Premier League betting. It can be an extremely lucrative one, and it is worth paying close attention to the rumblings of discontent among fans at all the struggling sides.
Recommended Betting Sites



-
19+. T&C Apply. Play ResponsiblyBig Selection of Esports LeaguesAll Major Leagues Around the World CoveredAcca Boost for Higher ProfitsPromo Code
The code required to claim a sign-up bonus (if any)
Min Deposit20Acca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoLive StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
11Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?
NoWith its unique Ancient Rome theme, Casinoly sets itself apart. The brand is a dual operator offering casino and sportsbook. It features a huge collection of sports betting options. -
19+. T&C Apply. Play ResponsiblyRegular Bettor TournamentsCashback & Acca Boost PromotionsCompetitive Odds & Extensive Sports SelectionPromo Code
The code required to claim a sign-up bonus (if any)
Min Deposit20Acca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
YesLive StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
NoIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
11Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?
YesGreatWin features a polished design that let's its users easily focus on broad selection of available sports. The platform offers competitive odds, but it stands out with ongoing promotions such as acca boosts. Players can also explore the casino section for more fun. -
19+. T&C Apply. Play ResponsiblyRegular Bettor TournamentsForecast BettingBettor Hall of FamePromo Code
The code required to claim a sign-up bonus (if any)
Min Deposit10Acca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoLive StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
NoIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
13Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?
No20Bet wants to amaze bettors with several interesting features. Users will find hall of fame and regular tournaments appealing. They'll be able to compete with others to stay at the top. -
19+. T&C Apply. Play ResponsiblyRegular Tournament LeaguesWeekly Acca Rewards & BoostsBet Builder FeaturePromo Code
The code required to claim a sign-up bonus (if any)
Min Deposit10Acca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoLive StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
NoIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
15Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?
NoPowbet sportsbook run a distinctive theme with a unique design. The platform comes with all the features and rewards that newcomers and experience bettors will appreciate, some of which are bet builder, acca boosts and regular tournaments. -
19+, T&C'S Apply - Full Terms ApplyBroad Coverage of Live EventsCute Panda ThemeWeekly Profit Boost for Sports BettingPromo Code
The code required to claim a sign-up bonus (if any)
Min Deposit10Acca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoLive StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
39Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?
NoRoyal Panda might be known for it's world-class casino, but the brand also offers a panda themed sportsbook. Players can enjoy profit boosts by placing several bets on a single slip. -
19+. T&C Apply. Play ResponsiblyMobile First Betting InterfaceLeo King' Sports Prediction Game24/7 Customer ServicePromo Code
The code required to claim a sign-up bonus (if any)
Min Deposit10Acca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoLive StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
NoIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
34Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?
YesLeo Vegas Sports is the sportsbook from this multi-award-winning casino operator, with a focus on mobile users - including a sport betting app for Android & iOS Devices. -
19+. T&C Apply. Play ResponsiblyTennis Betting LeaderboardBig Selection of Popular SportsClean Design for Smooth NavigationPromo Code
The code required to claim a sign-up bonus (if any)
Min Deposit10Acca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoLive StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
NoIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
32Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?
NoGuts is a great platform where sports betting enthusiasts will find everything they need. Plus, they can play casino games and poker if they like to. -
19+. T&C Apply. Play ResponsiblyDual Sportsbook & Casino PlatformDistinctive ‘Moustache’ Branding‘PlayBoost’ Accumulator BoostsPromo Code
The code required to claim a sign-up bonus (if any)
Min Deposit10Acca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoLive StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
NoIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
32Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?
NoMr.Play Sports has a fun style of its very own, with a memorable handlebar 'tache wherever you look, but it boasts a serious amount of betting markets, plus Premier League & 'Euro Elite' betting battle tournaments. -
19+. T&C Apply. Play ResponsiblyLong Established UK BookmakerRegular Bet BoostsUse Bet Builder to Make Custom BetsPromo Code
The code required to claim a sign-up bonus (if any)
Min Deposit10Acca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
NoLive StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
33Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?
YesBetVictor is named after founder Victor Chandler (known as the 'Gentleman Bookmaker') and they boast superstar jockey Rachael Blackmore, plus football legends Michael Owen and Harry Redknapp amongst their brand ambassadors and betting experts. -
19+. T&Cs Apply. Play Responsibly.Ongoing Promos Including Acca Boost & CashbackHuge Selection of Sports Betting OptionsDual Casino & Sportsbook OperatorPromo Code
The code required to claim a sign-up bonus (if any)
Min Deposit30Acca InsuranceRefund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
YesLive StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?
NoIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available
35Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?
YesFEZbet features a distinctive layout that makes platform easy to navigate on both desktop on mobile platforms. Bettors will find a big selection of sports available alongside several ongoing promotions.
Stay In The Loop With Free Bets, Insider Tips & More!
Live Betting. Sports Promos. Sent Weekly.