Football or soccer is considered the most popular sport in the world with billions of fans globally. The success of the sport goes back a long way and despite certain other sports like cricket being largely followed in the Asian sub continent, it still has more number of fans when one considers the global demographics.
For those wondering how many football players on the field are, there are eleven on field players each besides a set number of substitutes who sit in what is known as the dugout. The number of substitutes varies depending on the level of competition and the league being played.
How many football players on the field?
There are 11 players a side including the goalkeeper. That sets the total number of on-field players at 22 provided neither side has players that are awarded a red card by the referee while the match is in progress. A red card is awarded to players for committing a foul considered punishable by the on-field referee. This includes dangerous tackling or sliding, on-field fights and arguments, and so on.
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In football, the number of substitutes allowed on the field varies depending on the competition and the rules being followed.
In most professional football leagues and international competitions, each team is allowed to have up to three substitute players ready to replace any of the 11 players on the field. These substitutes can be used at any time during the match, but once a player has been substituted, they cannot re-enter the game.
However, some competitions and leagues allow for additional substitutions, especially in cases of injury or during extra time. You check the specific rules of the league or match to know how the number of substitutes that are allowed.
Football is believed to have been popularised in England in the 1860s with the advent of the Football Association. However, reports claim that the sport originated from China although it is difficult to provide evidence of these claims.
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The massive popularity of football has also created numerous betting opportunities for punters the world over with a wide range of betting markets being offered by most bookmakers. If you’re planning to bet on football, you could stand to win big provided you have the right set of strategies in place and thorough understanding of the sport.
That said, in this article, we will look at some aspects of football betting types, football betting tips, best football betting sites, and some of the advantages of football betting. We will also look into the best sports betting exchanges to help you choose the right betting platform if you’re new to the world of betting.
Football betting types
Football betting involves placing bets on the outcome of football matches. In football betting, the objective is to accurately predict the outcome of a football match. There are several football betting types. Here are some of the most common ones:
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- Win/draw/win betting: This is considered the simplest form of football betting. In this type of football bet, the bettor bets on either the home team winning, the away team winning, or the match ending in a draw. For example, a bettor can bet on Manchester United to win against Liverpool or the match resulting in a draw.
- Handicap betting: Handicap betting is applied to the favoured team to level the playing field. The handicap is typically represented by a plus or minus sign, with the favoured team given a minus handicap, and the underdogs a plus handicap. An example of this would be a bettor placing a bet on Manchester United -1 to beat Liverpool, meaning that Manchester United must win by two or more goals for the bet to be successful.
- Total goals betting: Total goals betting involves placing a bet on the total number of goals scored in a football match. Punters can place a bet on whether the total goals scored will be over or under a set number. A bettor can place a bet on over 2.5 goals in an English Premier League (EPL) match between Manchester United and Liverpool.
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- Correct score betting: In correct score betting, bettors predict the exact scoreline of a football match. This is a challenging type of bet, but offers high returns if it turns out to be successful.
- Futures betting: With futures betting, a bettor places a bet on a specific event or outcome that is expected to take place in the near future. In this case, punters can place a bet on Manchester United to win the Premier League title right from the start of the season.
In addition to the football betting types mentioned above, there are several other football betting options. It’s important to understand each one before placing any bets.
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Football betting tips
Football betting tips offer suggestions to increase your chances of winning. Most football betting tips are based on statistical analysis, team news, form, data, and other factors that may influence the result of a match. While it is impossible to rely on any one football betting tip and expect to win each time it is implemented, it helps to have a proper plan.
With that being said, let’s look at some popular football betting tips that can help you improve your chances of winning:
- Carry out match analysis: Before you place any bets on a football match, carry out a thorough analysis of both teams’ recent form, past performances, head-to-head record, and other relevant statistics. This analysis can help you identify any relevant details or developments that can inform your betting strategy.
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- Bet on the team considered favourites: Betting on the favourites is generally considered a safe strategy as they are expected to win the match. However, the odds for the team considered favourites are generally lower, which means you may not win as much in terms of money.
- Bet on the underdogs: Betting on the underdogs can be a risky strategy, but it can pay off with higher odds and potentially larger payouts. You should analyse the form of the underdogs and the context of the match before placing a bet on them.
- Opt for handicap betting: Handicap betting involves giving one team a virtual advantage in the form of a handicap, such as a goal or a half-goal, to level the playing field. This type of betting can offer higher odds and increase your chances of winning.
- Over/under betting: This type of betting involves predicting whether the total number of goals scored in the match will be over or under a certain number. This strategy can be useful when there is a clear difference in the quality of the teams playing.
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- In-play betting: In-play betting allows you to place bets on a match while it is in progress. This type of betting can be useful for predicting the outcome of a match based on its current state.
- Choose to bet on teams that are in form: A team that is in good form and has momentum can be a good bet. Look at their recent performances and how they have been playing in their previous matches.
- Analyse team news: Pay attention to team news, such as injuries or suspensions, as they can have a significant impact on the outcome of a match.
In conclusion, football betting tips can help you make more informed decisions when betting on football matches. However, it is important to remember that there is no guaranteed way to win, and betting always involves a degree of risk. It is essential to gamble responsibly and within your means.
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Best football betting sites
There are many football betting sites that are introduced each day. While some offer lucrative returns with high odds, it is important to note that many of these sites are not legal and could pose a risk to your winnings. Thus, it is important to rely only on the best football betting sites to avoid getting duped.
Some of the most important features a bettor looks for when registering with football betting sites is a nice UI, seamless experience in terms of navigation, good odds, high returns, and multiple payment options. Therefore, if you’re new to football betting, consider these basic factors when signing up with a betting site. Let’s look at some of the most reliable and best football betting sites:
Indibet |
Welcome Bonus with 100% up to 10,000 INR for sports; 100% up to 5,000 INR for casino |
Parimatch |
Fast withdrawal within 3-6 hours; Two versions of welcome bonus up to INR 20,000 |
1Win |
Fast account registration; Regular cashback of up to 30% |
1xBet |
Top up from 100 INR; UPI and PayTM are supported; First deposit bonus up to INR 20,000 |
Betway |
High football betting odds; Best football bet-builder. |
Fun88 |
Features a football betting exchange; High-quality live streaming; Choices of parlay bets. |
22Bet |
Variety of football betting markets; Separate section for handicaps and Asian markets. |
4rabet |
Table with future matches, schedules; Top match, combo, outright bet recommendations. |
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Advantages of football betting
Aside from the fun factor that is on offer, football betting has many advantages for bettors. Do keep in mind that any form of gambling does come with an element of risk. However, if you make informed decision, you will have a better chance of winning your bets, which means that you could end up earning more than you might possibly lose.
Unlike regular casino games, football betting and sports betting general, are more exciting as there are many markets to choose from. Most bookmakers offer interesting odds and if you’ve signed up with a reputed site or betting exchange, you will realise that it is much more entertaining than online casinos as the element of luck is lesser in football betting. Let’s look at some advantages of football betting:
- All-year availability: Football is the most popular sport in the world, and matches take place almost every day of the year. This means that there is always a football match to bet on, giving you more opportunities to place bets and potentially win money.
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- Numerous betting options: Football betting offers a wide range of betting options, from the traditional home win, draw, away win bets to more complicated ones like handicap betting, over/under betting, and correct score betting. These options means that there is always a bet that suits your preferences and betting style.
- Option of live betting: Bookmakers generally offer live betting, allowing bettors to place a wager on a match as it is in progress. This can be useful for those who like to analyse how a match unfolds and continue to make adjustments to their bets accordingly.
- Exciting bonuses and promotions: Most bookmakers offer bonuses and promotions for football betting, such as free bets, enhanced odds, and cashback offers. This can give you more value for your money and increase your chances of winning.
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Best sports betting exchanges
Opt for the best sports betting exchanges when placing bets to avoid any discrepancies. As a first time bettor or someone new to football betting, we look at a few of the best sports betting exchanges that have earned a solid reputation:
Indibet: Indibet is considered one of the best sports betting exchanges thanks to its many betting markets for football, cricket, and other sports. Indibet is among the most popular sports betting exchanges in India.
Betfair: Betfair offers several sports betting markets along with competitive odds. It is also a household name in the world of betting and is completely reliable.
Matchbook: Matchbook is a new sports betting exchange that has become largely popular thanks to its low commissions.
Smarkets: Smarkets’ high liquidity and user-friendly layout makes it another top choice. Smarkets lets bettors place wagers on all major sports events, and offers high odds along with a fairly low commission.
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How many football players on the field FAQs
Q. How to bet on football?
Ans. To place football bets, you must register with a licensed and regulated bookmaker. Thereafter, you can browse the available matches and betting options before placing your bet.
Q. What are the different types of football bets?
Ans. There are many different types of bets that you can place on football, including 1X2 (home win, draw, away win), over/under betting, handicap betting, correct score betting, and many more.
Q. How much should I bet on football matches?
Ans. The amount you can bet on football matches will depend entirely upon your individual financial capacity and betting strategy.