Best Soccer Betting Sites – Top Sportsbooks Ranked for 2024

With a fan base of approximately 3.5 billion people and over 240 million players worldwide, soccer is by far the most popular sport on Earth. For a long time, reality has been different in the United States, where soccer has largely been in the shadows of football, basketball, and baseball. This, however, seems to be changing. 

In 2022, Major League Soccer attendance surpassed the 10 million mark, and this figure is expected to keep growing, especially as the U.S. gears up to, in conjunction with Canada and Mexico, host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most prestigious soccer tournament in the world. It is a competition where, fuelled by players such as Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Timothy Weah, the U.S. national team has high expectations to do well in. 

As soccer viewership increases, so do betting opportunities in the sport. Especially considering that soccer is a global sport with several attractive and competitive leagues, the number of betting markets available can seem daunting. 

If you are interested in betting on soccer and are not sure which sportsbook to choose, this guide is for you. And if you’d like to go more in-depth into the fundamentals of the sport, we have you covered with this tutorial. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Soccer Betting Sites: How to Choose

Since sports betting became legal in the United States, the amount of sportsbooks authorized to conduct operations has skyrocketed. And as the landscape becomes more competitive, you might wonder, which betting house should I choose? 

At Lines, we highly recommend that you shop around for the best sportsbook. We do this because, many times, they might offer different odds, and by browsing around, you might be able to maximize your winnings. However, there are other factors that need to be taken into consideration, especially if you are about to decide which sportsbook you will use as your default choice. 

Here are some of them. 

Variety of Betting Markets

As mentioned before, soccer is a global sport. This means that there are competitive leagues–and therefore, attractive betting markets–everywhere in the world, including the English Premier League, the Italian Serie A, Liga MX, Major League Soccer, Copa Libertadores, and many more. Before choosing a default sportsbook for your soccer bets, look at its global reach, and the different leagues that you will be able to wager on. 

In addition to the leagues offered, look at the betting markets offered within each league. As we will see later in this document, there are many bet types available to soccer cappers. While the most popular bets are the moneyline, the goal line, and totals, ideally, you would like to have a sportsbook that gives you the opportunity to wager on futures, player props, and more. 

For example, interesting soccer betting markets can be: Who will be the first goalscorer of the match? Who will win the tournament’s Golden Boot? Markets can even get more detailed. For instance, some betting houses might offer markets like Which team will take the first corner kick? and many more. 

Hence, our recommendation is that you choose a sportsbook that can match the level of detail with which you would like to place your wagers. If you are planning on only placing basic bets–like the moneyline–then likely any sportsbook will be able to cater to you. However, if your bets are expected to be more thorough, then ensure that the markets that you are looking for are available. 

Live Betting

Live betting is a really exciting proposition for soccer fans. Because soccer is such a dynamic sport, having the opportunity to bet while the game is going on can really enhance your excitement and keep the thrill going until the very end. 

Furthermore, live betting is not restricted to choosing the team that will win the match. There are sportsbooks that offer several unique live betting opportunities. For example, you might be able to wager on the team or the player that will be shown the next yellow card, or the player that will make the next shot on target. Especially if you are watching the game–which gives you a better angle with which to make predictions–these bets might be enticing for you. 

Licensing and Regulation

When choosing a sportsbook, it is very important to consider licensing and regulation as they play a crucial role in ensuring your safety as a bettor by reinforcing the fairness and legitimacy of the platform. 

With the rise of online betting and the lack of borders when it comes to digitalization, many platforms that are not licensed to operate in the United States might still target sports viewers and bettors with advertisements offering deals and exclusive promotions. However, it is important that to protect your integrity and legal standing, you only use platforms that are legally authorized to operate in your jurisdiction. Even platforms that have been granted permission to take bets in the United States are not allowed to solicit customers in every state in which sports betting is legal, as every state has the final decision on how many licenses to give and the companies that these are granted to. 

Therefore, before placing your soccer bet, ensure that the sportsbook that you are considering is legally authorized to operate in your state. Here at Lines, we give you the necessary resources to assist you in your process, including all the relevant information regarding the state-by-state regulations related to sports betting, and the sportsbooks that have been granted approval to operate in each state. 

Reputation and Trustworthiness

To evaluate a sportsbook’s reputation and trustworthiness, there are many aspects that you can take into consideration. One of them is licensing and regulation, which we discussed in the aforementioned paragraphs. After that, something that you would like to take a look at is customer reviews. 

Right now, the Internet has made it possible for users to share their experience with a platform with the public at large. Every app that is available in both Apple’s App Store and Android’s Google Play Store has a considerable number of reviews, which you can evaluate in order to determine whether a sportsbook can be a good fit for you. Many reviews are very detailed, and users share their experience with several aspects of the app such as the user interface, usability, speed, variety of markets available and customer support. All of this either enhances or diminishes a sportsbook’s reputation. 

Besides that, another point you would like to consider is whether the sportsbook has a solid standing within the industry. In the United States, sportsbooks have made a splash by creating high-profile partnerships with iconic teams and organizations and even building physical sportsbooks inside stadiums. This is a way in which they attempt to demonstrate their trustworthiness to the general public, as well as their financial stability. Sportsbooks that are financially stable are most likely to honor payouts promptly and handle large volumes of bets. Some sportsbooks, like DraftKings, are publicly-listed companies. What this means is that you can consult their financial statements by visiting their investor relations portal. This gives you an idea of their financial position. 

Last, but not least, another important facet to ponder when choosing a sportsbook is whether they have responsible gaming practices. A reputable sportsbook demonstrates a commitment to responsible gaming, and it provides tools and resources to promote responsible behavior, such as self-exclusion options, deposit limits, and links to support organizations. This shows that they care about their customers. 

Soccer Competitions

As mentioned, there are many soccer competitions worldwide that are attractive markets for soccer bettors. These involve both competitions between nations and between clubs. Relevant tournaments involving different countries’ national teams include the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Nations League, the UEFA European Championships, Copa America, the CONCACAF Nations League, the Gold Cup, the Women’s World Cup, and more. There are also substantial international friendly matches throughout the year. 

In addition to that, there are all the leagues, both domestic and continental club competitions, like the UEFA Champions League and Copa Libertadores. Especially if you would like to dip your toe in various markets and diversify your bets, it would be important for you to choose a sportsbook that has ample coverage. 

League Coverage

In the same vein, there are so many leagues in soccer where betting is available. For example, if you revise the soccer markets available on FanDuel, you can see there is a vast amount of leagues available for bettors to wager on. If you are interested in betting on English soccer, you can not only bet on the English Premier League, but also on the EFL Championship, League One, League Two, and more. The same goes for many other countries, if Japanese soccer is your thing, you can bet on Leagues J1 and J2. 

Before deciding on a sportsbook, make sure that the leagues that you are interested in are available. 

Betting Options

It is important to choose a sportsbook that boasts a wide range of betting options that can suit your preferences and strategies. When evaluating a sportsbook, consider the variety of markets available, the odds offered, and any special features that can enhance your betting experiences, such as live betting and enough betting markets. 

For example, bet365 offers a promotion where, if your team is leading by two goals or more, you can get an early payout. This eliminates the risk of your squad losing the lead, and increases your chances of getting a payout. 

Competitive Odds and Payouts

Speaking about payouts, this is another factor that definitely will influence your choice when selecting a default sportsbook. As mentioned, here at Lines we highly recommend that you shop around different sportsbooks when placing a bet. 

Why? Because sometimes odds might vary, and scouting what various betting houses have to offer can help you boost your payout. Remember that the odds offered by a sportsbook determine the potential payout you can receive for winning a bet, and by consistently getting better odds, even if only slightly, you can significantly increase your long-term profitability. 

Also, make sure you look at payout limits. Some sportsbooks might limit the amount of money that they are able to payout, or determine the maximum amount that you can win on a single bet or within a specific time period. If you consider yourself to be a high-rolling bettor, look at those sportsbooks that offer higher limits. 

Payment Methods and Security

Nobody likes to win a bet for their payout to be delayed, or to be struggling when making a deposit a few minutes before a match starts, and then missing out on an attractive wagering opportunity. 

Because of this, sportsbooks have been emphasizing speed and agility as a critical part of their modus operandi. They also understand that bettors need to have several ways in which they can make a deposit, and also, to make withdrawals convenient. Common payment and withdrawal methods include credit and debit cards, bank transfers, digital wallets–such as PayPal and Venmo–and prepaid cards. Besides the available payment methods, every sportsbook lists its estimated processing times for both deposits and withdrawals, so we highly suggest you check those before signing up. We recommend staying away from sportsbooks that have overly restrictive withdrawal policies or excessively long processing times. 

Since sportsbooks handle sensitive information–including your SSN as a part of their Know Your Customer program–and financial details such as your credit card number, you need to ensure that the sportsbook has solid security measures in place so that your financial transactions and personal information are protected. An important feature is SSL encryption, which encrypts data transmission to safeguard it from unauthorized access by third parties. 

Bonus Programs

As sports betting keeps gaining traction in the United States, it is expected that more states will follow suit and legalize it within their jurisdictional boundaries. As this happens, the number of active bettors is only predicted to keep growing. 

Hence, betting houses are offering lucrative bonus programs to lure sports enthusiasts to wager on their platforms. When choosing a sportsbook, here are some bonus opportunities that they are likely to give to new customers. It is up to you to decide which one fits best with what you’re looking for. 

Welcome bonuses: FanDuel offers a $2,500 No Sweat First Bet bonus, in which they refund the stake for your first bet in case it is not a winner, up to $2,500. Caesars Sportsbook offers the same, up to $1,250, and BetMGM will reimburse up to $1,000. Usually, the refund comes in the form of bonus bets, which means that you cannot withdraw it as cash, but you can reuse it in additional bets. This is an attractive proposition, especially if you are new to the world of sports betting, as it reduces your risk of losing. Most sportsbooks are offering lucrative welcome bonuses, so if you are starting your betting career, you will want to take advantage of those. 

Free bets: Free bets are a common bonus type that betting houses offer. Through free bets, also referred to as bonus bets, the sportsbook provides you with a certain amount of money to place a bet without risking your own funds. Generally, these free bet credits are granted once you make an initial deposit. If your free bet wins, typically, you would receive the winnings minus the original stake amount. 

Other bonuses might include loyalty programs (for example, Caesars offers Caesars Rewards, and BetMGM offers MGM Rewards), and promotional offers such as odds boosts. Through odds boosts, sportsbooks increase your potential payout on a bet. This is done in order to incentivize betting activity in a specific sport or event. For example, sportsbooks might offer an odds boosts promotion for March Madness, for the PGA Masters, or for the Stanley Cup Finals. 

Mobile and User Interface

When choosing a soccer sportsbook, the mobile experience and user interface are critical aspects to consider. Here are some things to keep in mind that might influence your choice. 

Mobile Compatibility: It is a reality that most online activity today happens on mobile devices. Therefore, you would like to ensure that your sportsbook of choice has a mobile-friendly website or a dedicated mobile app and that the app is compatible with your smartphone. This will provide you with a seamless and more organized experience. 

User-Friendly Interface: Ideally, you would choose a sportsbook that has a user interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate, so that you can speedily find your leagues, matches, and betting markets of choice. Look for sportsbooks that offer a display that is clutter-free, and where information is displayed clearly and transparently. This includes the bet slip and the bet placement process. The sportsbook should have a clear and accessible betting slip, one which allows you to swiftly review your selections, confirm the amount of your stake, and place your bets. 

Customer Support

Customer support is something that every sportsbook must take very seriously, as it plays a vital role in guaranteeing a positive and fulfilling betting experience. 

When evaluating a sportsbook from a customer support perspective, the first thing we suggest you look at is the communication channels that the sportsbook offers. The betting houses that have the best customer support are those that have a 24/7 live chat feature, through which they can assist you with any queries you might need. However, it is important that they have other channels available also, for example, a customer support number that you can call if there is a problem with your account, or an email that you can reach out to for issues that might not be urgent, but that require a response from a human representative. 

Sportsbooks that prioritize customer support will also look for ways to optimize their response time, as having to wait for a reply for extended periods of time can be extremely frustrating and a hindrance to an optimal betting experience. At the end of the day, the best sportsbooks when it comes to customer support are those that can resolve an issue, and that can help the customer to feel supported, valued, and guided during the resolution process. 

Top Soccer Betting Sites

DraftKings Sportsbook

DraftKings, which started out as a daily fantasy sports provider, has now risen to prominence as one of the leading sportsbooks in the United States. For soccer enthusiasts, DraftKings offers considerable value beyond wagering, giving players the opportunity to participate in its Daily Fantasy Soccer contests, which feature tournaments such as the UEFA Nations League, the CONCACAF Nations League, and the UEFA Champions League. 

For soccer bettors, DraftKings has plenty of betting markets available. In addition to the conventional moneyline, goal line, and totals, DraftKings has markets such as game props, including both teams to score, double chance, and correct score; and team props, featuring team totals, clean sheets, and exact total team goals. Soccer fans can wager on leagues from all over the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, England, France, Italy, Spain, and more. 

Caesars Sportsbook

Many factors make Caesars Sportsbook one of the top choices available. One of them is the promotions they offer. For starters, they offer an initial risk-free bet of up to $1,250 as a welcome bonus. This means that, if you make a deposit to your Caesars Sportsbook account, place a bet, and lose, Caesars will refund your stake up to $1,250 in Bonus Bets. This is in addition to providing you with points for its attractive Caesars Rewards program. Since Caesars’ parent company owns resorts and hotels worldwide, you can then redeem these points for accommodation or travel experiences at Caesars’ properties. 

Also, Caesars has daily odds-boosting promotions. For example, a bet on Italy to win 1-0 against Spain, that pays +700, pays +900 after Caesars applied the odds boost to the wager. A bet on Los Angeles FC to defeat Houston Dynamo 3-0, which was +800 everywhere, was lifted up to +1200 on Caesars. This is in addition to odds boosts available for same-game parlays. Market-wise, Caesars has plenty of leagues available, as well as betting markets, permitting players to wager on team props, totals, spreads, and more. 

FanDuel Sportsbook

FanDuel is one of the nation’s favorite sportsbooks, and it is no exception when it comes to soccer. First, FanDuel has extensive live betting coverage, permitting bettors to wager on correct scores, score combinations, team props, and halftime props. This is in addition to incorporating same-game parlay bets into their live offerings. Besides this, FanDuel offers live streaming of certain soccer games, and they provide bettors with moment-by-moment statistics so that they can make informed decisions. This makes FanDuel one of our top soccer sportsbooks. 

Beyond live betting, FanDuel boasts an impressively wide array of leagues to wager on, and an advantage that it has over other sportsbooks is that all of the markets offered are available on all of the leagues, including less-popular competitions such as Irish Division 1, Icelandic Urvalsdeild, Kazakhstan Premier League and Ecuadorian Serie A. 

BetMGM

For lovers of soccer player props and team props, BetMGM is the place to go. The sportsbook includes markets like yellow cards and red card props for specific matches, something that is not covered by other sportsbooks. Similarly, bettors can combine these choices into a Same Game Parlay, which can elevate their payouts. 

For new players, BetMGM also offers a lucrative welcome bonus, in which they reimburse your initial stake up to $1,000, and they often run sport-specific promotions. 

Even though their league coverage is more limited, their betting markets are very in-depth. Other examples are that BetMGM permits bettors to wager on 15-minute outcomes, for example: What will the score be after 15 minutes? In the same line, you can place bets on the number of penalties a team will receive, bet on alternate lines, and predict whether a player will be able to score multiple goals within a match. If you are someone who loves to dive deep into the game, BetMGM is for you. 

BetRivers

One of the main advantages of BetRivers is that it has a tremendous portfolio of soccer leagues and competitions to bet on. For example, bettors can already wager on BetRivers for World Cup 2026, even if the qualifying rounds are still underway and there are still three years to go. Similarly, BetRivers covers not only the most popular leagues, but also competitions–in many cases, including lower divisions–in countries like Belgium, Finland, and Peru. 

If that is not enough, BetRivers offers plenty of markets within those leagues, also going above and beyond basic expectations. Examples include alternate goal lines, alternate totals, and Asian handicaps. 

Last, but not least, BetRivers offers live betting, including same-game parlays, which definitely guarantees an enhanced betting experience. 

WynnBet

For new customers, WynnBet has a bonus opportunity in which the sportsbook gives you a $100 bet credit provided that you make an initial bet of $100. While this is not nearly as high as the welcome bonus offered by Caesars and FanDuel, the advantage is that you get the bonus whether you win or lose. 

Soccer-wise, WynnBet has enough market coverage, including leagues or tournaments that are not covered by other sportsbooks such as the African Cup of Nations qualifying round, the Canadian Premier League, and Korea’s K-League 1. Its markets include live betting and interesting propositions such as the first/last team to score and increased bonuses if you are able to predict the exact score of a game. 

PointsBet Sportsbook

The sports betting partner of NBC Sports, PointsBet has gradually been increasing its footprint in the country. The NBC influence is visible in the sportsbook, especially given that NBC has been one of the networks that has staunchly supported soccer and its increase in popularity in the US, broadcasting the English Premier League and offering a considerable amount of money to secure its transmission rights. 

Some of the complaints that PointsBet receives have to do with the odds, which fans consider to be less than what other sportsbooks offer. However, PointsBet does have an extensive range of opportunities when it comes to betting markets. The variability factor is that the betting markets are not equally developed. For example, if you are placing a bet on the English Premier League, you might have more options than if you are betting on the Chilean First Division. Nevertheless, PointsBet restores the balance by offering live betting options in all the leagues that they cover. 

Bet365

When bet365 is able to penetrate more states, it will become the best soccer sportsbook in America. Right now, the lack of presence is the main drawback that bet365 faces, as it is available only in New Jersey, Colorado, Ohio, Iowa, and Virginia. 

However, the U.K.-founded sportsbook has decades of experience in soccer betting, both in the United Kingdom and in other markets around the world in which it has a presence. The betting house’s passion for soccer goes as far as owning a team, Stoke City, which they sponsor and actively manage through a subsidiary. Peter Coates, a co-founder of bet365, is the chairman of the club. 

For soccer bettors in America, bet365 offers several advantages. First, it has an attractive welcome bonus. If you bet $1 on bet365, you will get $200 in bet credits, whether you win or lose your initial bet. Then, bet365 has sport-specific promotions, including early payouts. If your team has a lead of two goals or more at any point throughout the match, your bet will be considered a winner, even if it ends up losing. Since bet365 has such a global presence, they have access to league markets that are way beyond what other sportsbooks have. For example, in Brazil, bet365 lists as far as the Serie D (fourth tier), and the Under 20 League. The same goes for the women’s league in Australia, Colombia and Sweden, the second tier in Turkey and the Shield Cup in Jordan. It is by far the most extensive offering that any sportsbook has, and a paradise for soccer enthusiasts who love the sport because of its international reach. 

Popular Soccer Bet Types

As a prospective soccer bettor, it is important that you become familiar with the rules of the sport, in order to maximize your chances of a positive outcome. 

Some rules to keep in mind are: 

1. A regular soccer game is 90 minutes long, in addition to the minutes the referee decides to add at the end. This is called stoppage time. 
2. After regular plus stoppage time, a game can end in a draw. 
3. In knockout stages, a game that ends in a draw will go to extra time. If, after extra time, the game is still tied, there will be a penalty shootout. 
4. Most soccer moneyline bets only consider as valid results those that happen within regular time plus stoppage time boundaries. 

Having said this, let’s move on to the most popular bet types. 

Moneyline

In soccer, there are two ways in which moneyline bets are set up. 

First, let’s review what a moneyline is. If you are new to sports betting, a moneyline pick refers to a wager that is placed on a team under the prediction that it will win the match outright, that is, without considering the goal line or the spread. However, in soccer, since a match can also end in a draw, bettors have the option to choose “Draw” as a possible outcome on a 3-way moneyline, or bet on a 2-way moneyline, which would be voided in case the teams tie. 

Here’s an example, using two of the most popular soccer teams in the world, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Let’s assume that the match is part of the regular La Liga season. 

3-Way Moneyline:

1. FC Barcelona, +120
2. Draw, +235
3. Real Madrid, +190

Based on these odds, we can conclude that the bookmaker believes that FC Barcelona is the team that is most likely to win. At the same time, the draw is seen as the least likely outcome. 

We must note that, for a three-way moneyline to be a winner, the chosen outcome needs to happen within regular time, in this case, the 90 minutes of regular time plus any stoppage time that the referee decides to add. Since the match is part of the La Liga season, this is no problem, as there would not be extra time anyway. 

But in a different scenario, we could assume that the same match, FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid, is the UEFA Champions League final. This means that, unlike the La Liga regular season game, this match needs to end with one of the two teams emerging victorious. There will be no final draw. 

However, since the three-way moneyline is based only on what happens within the regular time boundaries, it is possible to win if you have placed a bet on the draw. For example, if after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, the score is 2-2, and the encounter goes on to extra time, the bettors who wagered on the tie would be the winners, regardless of who becomes the next UEFA Champions League monarch. 

Two-Way Moneyline / Draw No Bet

If you are one of those who does not like the idea of a draw, then, sportsbooks have created the two-way moneyline for you, which is also known as a “draw no bet.”

In a two-way moneyline, a draw would mean a “no bet,” which also signifies that the bet would be voided. If the match ends in a draw, your stake will be refunded. 

Because the implied probability of a result is different when a tie is not considered a potential outcome, the sportsbook will adjust the odds to reflect that. Under the same premise, here is how the odds would look for a match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. 

1. FC Barcelona, -155
2. Real Madrid, +115

Again, this moneyline only considers regular time (90 minutes plus stoppage time), so if the match happens in a knockout stage, and the winner is decided in extra time or through a penalty shootout, the bet would be voided. 

Depending on the event, sportsbooks might also offer specific propositions on who will move on to the next round or which team will be the champion, so if you believe you can predict who will win–even if that happens in a penalty shootout–check with your betting house of choice to take advantage of those opportunities. 

Double Chance

When betting on soccer, a mechanism that you can use to hedge your bet is to take advantage of double chance lines, which is something that most sportsbooks offer. 

By choosing the double chance option, you are placing a wager on two of the three outcomes simultaneously, which automatically improves your chances of winning your bet. 

Here’s how it works, numerically: With a regular moneyline, you win if one of three outcomes is correct. This means that you have a default probability of 33.3%. With Double Chance, you win if either one of the two outcomes you chose–out of three–is successful, which boosts your probability to 66.6%. 

In practice, this is how it works. Let’s assume that Manchester City, the newly-crowned UEFA Champions League victors, begin their campaign to defend their title against Serie A champions Napoli. 

The Double Chance soccer odds are:

1. Manchester City and Draw, -380
2. Napoli and Draw, -105
3. Manchester City or Napoli to win, -470

According to these odds, the sportsbook considers the most favored outcome a victory by either Manchester City or Napoli. Then, the second most-favored outcome is that Manchester City will win the match, or that will end up in a draw. 

You might not agree with this, though. Your analysis might tell you that either Napoli will win, or they will be able to rescue a draw from the Etihad Stadium. If this is the case, you could bet on the “Napoli and Draw” option and still earn a decent return, as long as Manchester City does not win the game. 

Props Bets

Props bets, which is a short version of proposition bets, are a popular way in which bettors can wager on soccer by predicting specific events within a match, aside from the overall result. Through props bets, bettors can wager on individual player performances, team statistics, and even unique occurrences during the match. 

These occurrences could include the individual players who will score a goal, the number of corner kicks a team will take, or whether both teams will score or not. More detailed props consider whether a player will receive a yellow card or a red card, the total number of cards that will be shown during the match, or if a player will score a goal in a particular way (header, penalty kick, or other). 

Props bets are worthwhile if you possess detailed knowledge regarding a specific team or player. For example, if analyzing Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance has led you to conclude that most of the goals he scores are headers, you can bet “Yes” on a prop bet called “Cristiano Ronaldo to score a header.” If CR7 does convert through a header, your wager will be a winner. 

Goal Line

Like football, basketball, and other sports, soccer grants bettors the possibility to wager on goal lines, a bet type that is also known as spread. 

In several disciplines, betting on the spread is by far one of the most popular options. Let’s remember that by “spread,” or in the case of soccer, by “goal line,” what we are referencing is the goal margin or handicap that is given to a team in order to make the odds more even. 

For a bet on the goal line to be a winner, the team that you wagered on needs to “cover” the spread. For example, if Manchester United is playing Sporting Lisbon, and the Red Devils are considered a solid favorite to win the match, the sportsbook will offer an option to bet on Manchester United with a -1.5 goal line. Consequently, Sporting Lisbon would be given a +1.5 goal line. 

For a bet on Manchester United to be successful, the team needs to win by at least two goals. At the same time, a bet on Sporting Lisbon could still be a winner even if Sporting loses the game, as long as they lose by only one goal. 

Since the handicap alters the odds, then the sportsbook will adjust the odds of your payout accordingly. 

For this match, the moneyline–no goal line–odds would look like this:

1. Manchester United, -265
2. Draw, +425
3. Sporting Lisbon, +600

However, once the goal line is factored in–the goal line also eliminates the possibility of a draw, since it contains a half-goal in it–the odds would look like this:

1. Manchester United, -1.5 goals, +100
2. Sporting Lisbon, +1.5 goals, -145

Now, the sportsbook considers Sporting Lisbon to win–taking into account the +1.5 handicap–as the favorite outcome. So, if you believe that Manchester United will earn the victory by at least two goals, you could bet on the -1.5 goal line and earn a substantially better return than you would have made if you had just bet on the moneyline. 

Totals

Total bets–also known as over/under bets–offer the opportunity to place a wager on the total number of goals that will be scored during a match. 

For soccer fans who love the thrill and excitement of watching games where many goals are scored, the “over'' is a very exciting proposition. When betting on the over, the outcome of your bet can be decided way before the match ends, as long as the two teams combined score more goals than the over/under line. This way, you avoid living through the agony of waiting until the final whistle to see if your bet was a winner. 

Of course, some teams are more renowned for their defense rather than their attack. In those matches, you might want to consider betting on the “under.” 

As it is the case with any sport, the odds for each over/under line reflect the teams’ scoring capabilities. 

Here is an example:

AS Monaco is facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Ligue 1. Both teams play an offensive game, therefore, it is expected that the two squads will have plenty of goalscoring opportunities. The sportsbook knows this, and it lists the following odds:

1. Over 2.5 goals, -170
2. Under 2.5 goals, +130

What this means is that the bookmaker considers it more likely that AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain will combine to score over 2.5 goals. This is why the odds for that option are lower. 

However, if you are very confident in the powerful offensive of Messi, Mbappé, and company, and believe that Monaco will also present a worthy opposition and contribute to the goal-scoring tally, you can look at an alternate over/under. Let’s say you believe that the match will have at least four goals, so you decide to see the 3.5 total bet instead. Here’s how the odds would look:

1. Over 3.5 goals, +140
2. Under 3.5 goals, -185

As you can see, your return would improve significantly by taking advantage of the alternate over/under line. 

Soccer Betting Odds

If you are looking at a U.S.-based sportsbook, then you will most likely be looking at a dashboard displaying American odds. For new bettors, American odds can be initially hard to understand. Here are some critical concepts that are foundational for a thorough understanding of American odds:

1. The base for American odds is $100
2. When a team is favored to win, or an outcome is heavily favored to happen, American odds will have a negative number, for example, -120
3. In this case, -120 means that you need to bet $120 to win $100. If you win the bet, you would get $220 in total ($100 in profit, plus the $120 you invested)
4. When a team is an underdog, meaning, not favored to win, or an outcome considered unlikely to happen, American odds will have a positive number, for example, +120
5. American odds of +120 means that if you bet $100, you would make $120 in profit, and recover the $100 you invested
6. This doesn’t mean you always need to bet $100 or in multiples of $100. It is just an indicator to help you estimate your returns. For example, if you bet $50 with +120 odds, you would make $60 in profit, and recover your $50 if your wager is successful. 

To simplify things further, there is another way of estimating your winnings with American odds. 

Let’s assume that the United States national team is playing against Wales in the World Cup. The American odds on a 3-way moneyline are:

1. United States, -120
2. Draw, +310
3. Wales, +190

Because the United States, as the favorite, has negative odds, here is how you could calculate your potential winnings:

Profit Formula for Negative American Odds = (100/Odds)*Wager

It is important to leave the minus/negative sign aside for the odds, so that it looks this way:

Profit for a $50 bet on the United States = (100/120)*50 = $41.66

You would make a $41.66 profit betting $50 on the United States, as well as recovering the $50 you wagered, for a total payout of $91.66. 

However, what if you wanted to bet on Wales instead? 

Since the odds for Wales–given that it is the underdog–are positive, the formula that you would use to estimate your winnings is different. 

Profit Formula for Positive American Odds = (Odds/100)*Wager

Odds for Scotland are +190, therefore:

Profit for a $50 bet on Scotland = (190/100)*50 = $95

By betting $50 on Scotland, you would make $95 in profit. In addition to that, you would recover the $50 you wagered, bringing your total payout up to $145. 

Even if American odds are the predominant type of odds used in the United States, some sportsbooks might opt to show their odds in a decimal or fractional format. If you are interested in learning more about those, check out this guide. 

Most Important Soccer Leagues

One of the most prominent attraction factors of soccer is that it is a sport with a global reach. Soccer is played and followed in small villages and major cities, and people from diverse cultures and backgrounds participate in and support the sport. At the same time, soccer carries a rich history and heritage that spans decades and generations. Many countries have deeply rooted traditions and rivalries associated with the sport, which fosters a sense of legacy and pride. 

Since soccer often reflects and represents the cultural identity of nations, several leagues around the world are very competitive, and that presents very exciting opportunities to join the betting action. 

Here are some. 

World Cup

When it comes to national teams, the FIFA World Cup is the landmark event to follow. 

Played every four years, the World Cup is played every four years, and brings together the globe’s top national squads for a month-long tournament that has given us some of the most breathtaking soccer matches the world has ever seen. 

In 2026, the FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. So, if you have not paid much attention to soccer so far, now is the time to do so! 

UEFA European Championship

The UEFA European Championship, which is also known as the UEFA Euro Cup or simply the Euro, brings together national teams from across Europe to compete for a much-coveted title. 

The Euro is played by 24 teams, and it is considered one of the most prestigious international soccer tournaments, being played by some of the top national teams in the world like England, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain, all of which have been world champions. 

UEFA Champions League

At a club level, the UEFA Champions League is considered the highest-level tournament in the world of soccer. 

The annual competition, which features some of the most-followed teams in the world, such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and AC Milan, starts with a round-robin format, and the top squads advance to the knockout stage, progressing until the final round. 

Broadcasted worldwide, the UEFA Champions League is one of the most-watched sporting events globally. 

Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer is the top-flight league in the United States. The competition boasts 29 teams, of which 26 are based in the United States, while the other three are located in Canadian cities: Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal. 

While it took time for the MLS to gain traction, its fan base has grown significantly over the years, driven by high-profile transfers such as Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Carlos Vela, Thierry Henry, Gareth Bale, and David Beckham. Most recently, Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi was announced to be set to join Inter Miami, a landmark deal which will only bolster the popularity of the league. 

MLS starts in late February or early March, and each team plays 34 regular season games. The MLS playoffs take place during October and November. 

English Premier League

Over the past few years, the English Premier League has gained a considerable advantage over any other league due to its high-profile signings and offensively spectacular playing style. 

The EPL is formed by 20 teams–among them Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle, and Tottenham–and is played in a 38-game round-robin schedule. All teams face each other twice, once at home, and once away, creating enormous betting opportunities from August through May. 

Bundesliga

The Bundesliga is the top professional soccer league in Germany, and it is renowned for its high level of competition and passionate fan culture. 

Known for its exciting and attacking style of play, it boasts clubs like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, which have a rich history and enjoy a strong following both domestically and internationally. The Bundesliga is considered one of the most vibrant and competitive leagues in European football. 

Serie A

With teams including Juventus, Napoli, AC Milan, and the UEFA Champions League runners-up Inter Milan, the Serie A is one of the top soccer league tournaments in the world. 

Played from August to June, Serie A has forged the careers of players who have contributed to Italy’s four World Cup trophies, and has been home to several international soccer luminaries, including Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Zinedine Zidane. 

Serie A has a passionate fan base and boasts legendary rivalries, such as the Milan Derby between AC Milan and Inter. 

La Liga

Home to Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, two of the most successful teams in the history of soccer, Spain is a nation with a strong tradition in the sport. 

La Liga’s competition format is similar to the English Premier League, being played as a 38-game round-robin from August to June. Spain’s top-flight is highly regarded for its technical quality and emphasis on possession-based soccer, and it is widely followed internationally. 

Liga MX

Known for its strong rivalry with Major League Soccer, Liga MX is Mexico’s top-tier soccer league, and together with MLS, is the best soccer competition in CONCACAF. 

Some of its most popular teams are America, Cruz Azul, and Chivas de Guadalajara, which often play against MLS teams in the CONCACAF Champions League. 

Liga MX is played twice a year, first, through a round-robin format, and then, with the top teams advancing to a knockout stage until they reach the final game. It is worth noting that in the United States, Liga MX is the most-viewed soccer competition. 

Conclusion

With a global reach, intense rivalries, and exciting encounters, soccer’s popularity is likely to keep growing, especially as the US gears up to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Betting-wise, several sportsbooks will keep making efforts to capitalize on this increased enthusiasm, and if you will ride the wave, it is good that you choose a sportsbook that meets your needs. Here at Lines, we are committed to assisting you in the process. 

As we discussed throughout the article, when choosing the best soccer betting platform in the United States, there are many factors that you need to consider. First, ensure that the platform is licensed and regulated, and that it is authorized to conduct operations in your state. Also, look for platforms that cover the leagues and betting markets that you are looking for, and that have a user-friendly interface so you can easily place your bets. 

Other features to take into account are the availability of live betting options, a promptly-responsive customer support department, and speedy deposits and withdrawals. As a plus, we recommend you consider welcome bonuses and promotions that can enhance your soccer betting experience and maximize your payouts. 

FAQ

How to bet on soccer in the United States?

To bet on soccer in the United States, ensure that you are in a jurisdiction where sports betting is legal. After that, create an account with a sportsbook authorized to operate in your state, select your favorite league, and start betting!

How can I bet on soccer online? 

To place a bet on soccer online, create an account in your sportsbook of choice by following the respective links that we have here at Lines. Once you activate it and make a deposit, you will be able to place a bet on soccer. 

Does DraftKings offer soccer betting?

Yes, DraftKings does offer soccer betting. 

What is the safest soccer betting option? 

Any sportsbook that is legally authorized to operate in your state is a safe betting option. To know if a sportsbook is legal in your state, go here. 

Is betting on soccer legal? 

Yes, as long as you are in a jurisdiction where sports betting is permitted, you can bet on soccer legally. 

Which is the best soccer betting site? 

It depends on what you are looking for. At Lines, we are partnered with the top legal sportsbooks in America. Some of the most popular for soccer include FanDuel, Caesars Sportsbook, and bet365. 

What are the best mobile betting apps for soccer? 

FanDuel is one of the highest-rated apps for soccer, together with Caesars Sportsbook. However, other platforms such as bet365, DraftKings, BetMGM, and more are also actively offering good bonuses and promotions to acquire more users.