Guest post written by Paul Micelli.
The third part in our series continues looking at the different types of spread bets that are available on football.
Betting on Football Shirt Numbers
Betting on football shirt number is an incredibly fun option that adds a different edge to spread betting. The index is available on all live games and the result is accrued on the accumulated total of the shirt numbers worn by each goal scorer. Buying is recommended in a match where a high score is expected and selling is recommended in a match where a low score is expected. Our fictional game has a spread of 45 to 48. The home side has a striker with 29 as his shirt number while the away side have a centre forward with a shirt number of 21. If a high-scoring game is expected, the sports betting enthusiast could choose to buy at £5 per point at 48.
On the negative side, large losses would be incurred if the game finished as a 0-0 draw:
- The match finishes 0-0. No shirt numbers have scored so the accumulative total is 0 points. A loss of £240 would result (48 – 0 = 48 x £5)
On the positive side, let us assume that five goals were scored. The final result is 3-2 to the home side and players A, B and C scored for the hosts with shirt numbers 8, 10 and 18. The away side saw players D and E score with shirt numbers 18 and 29. This fictional scenario would result in excellent profits:
- The match finishes 3-2. The accumulative shirt numbers for the goal scorers is 93. A profit of £225 is made (93 -48 = 45 x £5)
Betting on Corners
Another exciting form of spread betting involves the multi-corner index and results are calculated by multiplying the total number of corner kicks taken in each half of a match. Buying is recommended for matches that should involve open attacking football while selling is recommended for games that could result in a dour stalemate.
Our fictional game sees the spread set at 31 to 34. The two sides playing have a reputation for playing in an attacking style so the sports betting enthusiast buys at 34. Unfortunately, both sides struggle to produce the goods on the day of the game and significant losses are incurred:
- The game finishes with no corners. No points are gained so betting results in a loss of £170 (34 x £5)
However, if the game was an open, free-flowing affair with plenty of attacking opportunities for both sides, let us assume that there were 10 corners in the first half and 8 corners during the second period:
- The game finishes with 10 first half corners and 8 second half corners. These are multiplied to produce a total of 80 points. A profit of £230 is made (80 – 34 = 46 x £5)
Cross corner betting is very similar to multi-corner betting but sees the number of corners achieved by the home side multiplied with the number of corners achieved by the away side. This style of betting should be avoided in games that are anticipated to be particularly one-sided. If the home side acquires 14 corners, it’s not going to help a bet bought bet if the away side doesn’t get any!
