How to Bet on Obscure Soccer Leagues
Soccer has swiftly become the most popular betting sport, with many customers placing daily wagers on whatever matches happen to be taking place. While competitions such as the Premier League, Champions League and La Liga attract a great deal of interest, there aren’t always available fixtures from these leagues and bettors therefore gravitate towards the more obscure soccer games in search of a value bet.
Finding Value Away from the Premier League
As with any sport, the key to making money is to find the soccer betting markets where the bookmakers are offering value. Soccer can be quite tricky to make money on as the level of information available to the bookmakers continues to grow. It is virtually impossible to have more information on major soccer leagues than the bookies now do, and hence very difficult to find an edge.
It means that, in order to make a profit on soccer betting, the smart bettor sometimes needs to turn their attention to some of the less high-profile soccer leagues to find extra value. While the odds for the English Premier League tend to be spot on, there are many smaller leagues where a bit of research can help provide an edge to the bettor in their soccer pre-event betting.
Can You Beat the Bookmaker?
No matter how many info providers the top New Jersey sportsbooks and top Pennsylvania sportsbooks employ, the bottom line is that they are hired to generate the most profit for that particular firm. Therefore, if 90% of customers are betting on Premier League matches, they need to make sure that the odds are in their favor and liabilities are managed.
It naturally follows that there is less bookmaker focus on some of the other soccer leagues that are covered. Most firms tend to copy each other with their prices for lesser competitions due to the scarcity of information and this is where an edge can come from.
If you happen to have a strong knowledge of a particular soccer league, then you can potentially develop an advantage over a bookmaker. It might be another league in England where you’re a fan of one of the teams involved and therefore have an in-depth understanding of what’s happening.
Alternatively, it might be that you start monitoring the various leagues across Europe or even further afield, getting a handle on what’s happening in a particular division and looking at the latest match odds to see if there’s an advantage that can be exploited. The hard work often pays off if you’re prepared to get your hands dirty and do some research.
Access the Data and Information You Need
A key aspect to this betting strategy is finding reliable sources of information for the league in question. There are numerous soccer websites that will provide free data on virtually every league in the world. You can often drill down and get data related to particular players or even information like Expected Goals and Shots on Target.
It’s important not to spread yourself too thinly in a quest to outfox the bookmaker. The bottom line is that if you end up placing a succession of profitable bets on Swedish soccer, then the bookie in question might start limiting your stake size or change their odds to stop you getting value bets on this league moving forward.
Check Out: Unibet Sportsbook For Free Bets and Welcome Bonus.
Home Advantage Can Play a Big Part
If you look at any soccer league table, most teams have accrued more home points than away points. Home advantage is a definite concept and this can be accentuated or decreased depending on a number of factors. Some clubs create a hostile atmosphere at their grounds, while the size and undulations of the pitch can also determine who a team prospers in front of their own fans.
In larger countries, travelling distances between cities can be huge, resulting in long and tiring trips to reach away matches. Issues such as altitude differences within countries can also have a significant impact. As an example, Bloemfontein Celtic in the South African Premier Soccer League has a disproportionately strong home record given their usual league position. The obvious explanation for this is that they play at an elevation of over 4,500ft, giving them a distinctive advantage over visiting sides from the coast.
Team News is Vital for Any League
For many serious bettors, the most important information ahead of a soccer match is team news. Naturally, each team usually has a handful of key players who will have a large bearing on whether the game is won or lost. When key individuals are missing from a team, it therefore reduces the club’s chances of winning the game.
If you can somehow get ahead of the curve when it comes to team news for a particular match or league, then you might be able to bet at a bigger price before the bookmaker gets wind of the latest information and acts accordingly with their odds. It’s often about trying to steal a match and get a value price that you feel might disappear as kick-off approaches.
Recommended Betting Sites
- Must be 21+ and present in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, or WV. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. T&Cs Apply.Boosted Bets from ESPN Personalities such as Scott Van Pelt, Mike Greenberg, and Elle Duncan.Earn Rewards Through PENN Play Loyalty Program.Variety of Promotions including Overtime & Buzzer Beater Protection.GAMBLINGPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available8Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesESPN BET, powered by Penn Interactive, looks to become one of the top sportsbooks in the United States. A clean interface, multiple payment methods, and a plethora of promotions is what sets ESPN BET from other brands.
- Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply. Play Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-522-4700, CT (888) 789-7777, IA 1-800-BETS-OFF, MA (800)-327-5050, VA 1-888-532-3500Fanatics Sportsbook Discover Simplifies Your Betting ExperienceFanCash Feature Delivers Increase Value With Unique RewardsIndustry-Leading Search Functionality Availablenot requiredPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?NoIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available9Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesFanatics Sportsbook, in partnership with Genius Sports, launched BetVision, a unique live betting and streaming product for football games within their app.
- Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.Only US Sportsbook with NFL StreamingCaesars Rewards Redeemable at Ceasars LocationsImproved Odds for NY Mets & Chicago White SoxGAMBLING1000Promo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available14Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesBacked by Caesars Entertainment, the sportsbook provides real-life loyalty rewards for bettors bringing the Las Vegas feel to you. Between Live Streaming, Generous Welcome Offer, & Daily Boosted Parlays, you'll find yourself very busy on the Caesars Sportsbook App.
- Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, DC, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for T&Cs. US promotional offers not available in NY, NV, or Puerto Rico.Brand Ambassadors such as Jamie FoxxMGM Rewards Redeemable at MGM ResortsOfficial Partner of NY Knicks, Rangers & DevilsGAMBLINGCOMPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available11Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesBetMGM is one of the biggest sportsbooks in the US. Brand offers a broad variety of sports betting markets. It's M rewards program is uniquely rewarding.
- 5Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Must be 21+ to participate. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
- 6Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs Apply.
- Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC. Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, IN, NJ, OH, TN or VA to play. Terms and conditions apply. In IN, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT. In AZ call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH, TN, VA)Hard Rock Rewards Redeemable in Cafes & CasinosMobile App Uses Accertify for SecuritySupports Payments with Nuveinot requiredPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available10Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesHard Rock Sportsbook partners with American Express Accertify to protect its mobile users from fraud. The world renowned brand features a comprehensive selection of sports.
- Must be 21+ to participate. T&C apply.Bet on Same Game Parlays to Receive Free BetsBacked by Rush Street Gaming, Founded in the 90s20% MLB Profit Every TuesdayGAMBLINGPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available9Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesBetRivers provides a wide range of free bet promotions for major league sports. Also offers the iRush Rewards program.
- Must be 21+ and in a legal betting state to participate. T&Cs apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLEROfficial Live Streaming of MLB GamesFree-To-Play Prize Pool GamesOfficial Partner of the NBA, Including NBABet Streamnot requiredPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available19Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferNoDraftKings is one of the biggest US sportsbook brands. Also provides Daily Fantasy Sports, an online casino, and NFT marketplace.
- Must be 21+ to participate. T&Cs apply.'Operator of the Year' 2021MLB Same Game Parlay $20 RefundsOfficial Partner of the NFL, NBA, NHL, & MLBnot requiredPromo CodeThe code required to claim this sign-up bonus (if any)Live StreamingIs there live streaming of sporting events?YesIn-Play BettingThe number of sports with in-play betting available18Bet BuilderCan you create your own personalised bets?YesCash OutCan you cash out of bets before an event has finished?YesFirst Bet OfferYesFanDuel is one of the biggest sportsbook operators in the US. Backed by Flutter Entertainment, one of the biggest gambling operators globally.
Be first to get our exclusive sports offers!
Join today to stay up to date on your states gambling news and offers.