Have you ever sat and watched a football game, glanced at the odds and said, ‘What’s the point of putting a wager on this? Perhaps it’s a top club, such as PSG or Manchester City, that’s moving in on a weaker side and the odds on the favourite are so poor that you feel you’ve come out on the losing end even if you win.

That’s where surepredictz betting tips comes in and makes a complete turnaround. Once you’re familiar with the ins and outs of it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t use it sooner.

Let’s go over it all step-by-step in a simple manner. No complex jargon, no maths formulas, just the 5 things you need to know to start making more intelligent bets.

Handicap Betting is what?

Before we dive into the tips, let’s first go over the basics:

Handicap betting is a way to equalize the odds between two teams that are not evenly matched. The stronger team will be given a slight disadvantage by the bookmakers and the weaker team will be given an advantage. Which makes the entire betting market a lot more level and the odds a lot more appealing.

Let’s take a simple case. For example, if Manchester City are playing a team that is in a poor position the bookies may offer a -2 for City. Which is to say City are playing in the 2-0 upset in your wager. This means you’ll have to wager on City to win by at least 3 goals.

The other, weaker one gets +2, however. If they win, draw or lose by one goal, your bet on them will win.

Here are 5 handicapping tips for handicaps that you need to know.

If you’re considering handicap betting, you should be aware of the following:

The first tip is to be familiar with the two primary forms of handicap wagers.The first tip is to know the two main types of handicap bets.

Handicap bets are not the same and understanding the difference between the two primary types will prevent you from a lot of frustration and confusion.

European Handicap

Believe that European handicaps are a no-brainer?Spend a few minutes reading this article and you’ll see that’s not true. Think again. They add whole numbers. So, if you see +1, -2, or +3, you know what to anticipate. The problem is, the numbers are whole, which means there is a possibility the final result (after applying the handicap) is a draw. If so, you will receive your stake back. No win, no loss.

Thus, if you would like to have a little insurance policy with your bet, then a European handicap would be the way to go.

Asian Handicap

The situation in the Asian handicaps is another matter. They know half numbers and quarter numbers, they think -1.5 or +2.5. That’s the thing, there is no such thing as half a goal, so you either win or lose your bet. No draw.

No refund is available, but the odds become a lot sharper and cleaner. That’s why most experienced punters choose to play Asian handicaps.

One thing to keep in mind: Before you place your money, you need to know what type of handicap you’re working with.

Tip 2: Know how to read a Handicap Line.

This is where most of the newbies get stuck. Fortunately, it’s not as difficult as it sounds to read a handicap line.

Let’s take a real-life case and use it to explain. Say you see the market reading:

•       PSG (-2) vs FC Nantes (+2)

There is a handicap for each team, shown next to the team. That’s reflected in their -2 against PSG and +2 against Nantes.

So, what does that imply for your wager? PSG would now be 1-1 on the scoreboard if they win 3-1. That is, take 2 points off of their goals (a draw), and if this was a European handicap, your money will be refunded. If they win 4-1, however, you will be the winner, as the score will be now 2-1.

If Nantes and PSG win 2-0, the score of the game becomes 2-2.  If it is a draw with Nantes, you get your stake back, and it is 2 to the goals of the other team.

A key thing to remember, the handicap is based on the final score and then the winner is decided.

Tip 3: Make sure you do your research before you place a handicaps bet.

This is a no-brainer, but so many people miss it. Handicapping is all about research.

Before placing a handicap bet, here are four things to look at:

Recent Form

Check their last 5-10 games and see how each team has performed. When one team is hot and the other team is cold, it’s pretty obvious which team to play. That’s another matter if the player at the top of the team is injured.

Injuries and Suspensions

A player’s absence can be a significant factor in a game. So, always read the team news before you risk your money.

Head-to-Head Records

Certain teams have a consistent record against certain opponents. The weaker side may be prone to playing close matches against a particular opponent. Those historical results are important.

Home and Away Form

Teams can be vastly different at home versus on the road. The home team can be very strong, but fall apart by three goals when away from home. Take the location of the game into account.

The more you research, the more you will be able to benefit from the handicap market.

Tip 4: Start with Smaller Stakes

If you are an inexperienced handicapper, don’t start spending all your cash right away. It’s not as simple as a straight match result bet, and there’s a learning curve.

A good strategy for novices to handicap betting is to play them in accumulators. It’s okay to have a few handicaps on your bet slip and make some pretty good returns. However, do need to be mindful of adding too much. The greater the number of handicaps, the less likely it is that you’ll win.

Tip 5: Do a little research to find the best handicapping odds.

Bookmakers are not always equal in their pricing of the markets, and even a slight variation in the odds can accumulate.

You should always compare at least two or three bookmakers before making your bet and find the best value. This is known as line shopping and it’s a trait of every smart bettor. For instance, one bookmaker may be providing the odds of 1.85 for the goal for Manchester City against -1.5, while another may be offering the odds of 1.95 for the same goal at the same price. A small gap in the odds, over a season, does matter.

Final Thoughts

At the moment, Surepredictz is one of the top prediction websites that provide accurate handicap betting tips. At first, handicap betting may seem like it’s a complicated game. After mastering the fundamentals and doing your homework, you’ll discover that it’s one of the more fun and rewarding sports wagering out there.

Simply take small steps, do some research and try out the tips. In no time at all, handicap betting will be giving football fans a new layer of excitement and strategy to enjoy the game.