How many goals will be scored in one match? This question is one of the most up-to-date for football lovers. And not only in terms of the spectacle and the excitement the goals bring. Predictions for the number of hits in the match are among the most sought after options by betting enthusiasts, with today's online platforms providing extremely rich choices. Before we take a look at the factors that can affect the number of goals scored, let's see what types of bets can be found in the different bookmakers.
- Number of Goals Under / Over. The standard limit is 2.5 goals. "Under" means predicting a score of two or less goals, and "Over" means predicting a score of three or more goals. Other lines may be used - 1.5 goals, 3.5 goals, etc.
- Exact number of goals. This type of prediction is much more difficult to achieve and therefore the odds are much higher.
- Both teams to score / not to score a goal.
- Number of goals for one team - again, it can be used a below/above limit or the exact number can be searched.
- Time to score a goal (goal at the beginning, goal at the end)
- Odd or even number of goals
There are other options. We will now look at the factors that most often affect the number of goals scored. We have to keep in mind that the average score varies among the different championships and seasons, and may differ in leagues and elimination tournaments. The limit of 2.5 goals is not accidental - in almost all championships, the number of average goals in a 90 minute match varies between 2 and 3.
Weather conditions
One of the key factors for match performance is the weather. Whether it will be cold, whether it will rain and accordingly it will make the terrain wet, muddy, slippery, or it will be too hot. Such prerequisites should always be taken into account, especially when climate conditions go beyond the normal for the season.
In cold weather or bad terrain, we have a good reason to aim for low performance. For the players efforts to control the ball and organize successful attacks become more tangible. In cold seasons, especially in more northern countries, it is normal to focus on the "Under 2.5 goals" option.
High temperatures can, however, lead us to other probabilities - the heat exhausts the plaeyers faster, which affects endurance at the end of the match. The forecast for very warm weather can be a guide to predict the lack of goals at the end of the meeting.
Ranking positions
When equal competing teams with similar aims in the Championship stand against each other, this can be a prerequisite for a low-scoring match. This is a logical direction for predicting both in a match between competitors for the title and between teams that are direct rivals in the fight for survival. When direct opponents meet, the bet becomes larger - whoever wins, in practice, takes 6 points from that match at the opponent's expense (plus 3 in the active and 3 missed benefits for the other). And when the meeting is so important, security often comes first and risks are minimized, resulting in fewer goal situations and, consequently, fewer goals.
In a match between teams with different positions, it is no longer easy to give a clear answer. If a favorite for the title accepts an outsider, surely more goals can be sought in this match. The line can go up to 3.5 or 4.5 and still have a good chance of success. However, if the outsider hosts, then the Under 2.5 goals option is more likely in some cases.
The home factor
Most teams are more effective in attacks on their own terrain and therefore allowing more goals in an away match. In addition to the above example with favorites and outsiders, we can compare in another direction. If we find a team with a big difference in home and away goals and this team accepts a rival who does allow a lot of hits in foreign stadiums, then this is a clear indication of a search for higher performance.
There is another logic to it. Team A is hard to break into at home, and Team B is having a hard time scoring when not playing in front of its own audience. Then it is quite logical to focus on the “Under 2.5” line or look for “Both teams will not score”.
Individualities are key
Given that among the players on the terrain we have some of the best players in the respective championship, this suggests the possibility of looking for a bet for high performance. Even if team performance does not correspond with such likelihood, individual glare can be the deciding factor for a goal fiesta.
However, almost all scorers have favorite opponents, as well as such they find it difficult to deploy their creative talent against. Manchester United's Marcus Rushford, for example, has scored at least one goal on Leicester's net in four consecutive seasons. This suggests both a chance to point him among the goalscorers ("To Score Anytime") and a chance to see a more productive match.
Of course, the absence of a key player, who often scores, should always be taken into account. Also important for the prognosis is when the outstanding goalkeeper is expected to return after being injured or punished.
Tournament battles are often low scoring
This is not an overall statement, but in elimination matches it often happens that we do not see many goals. When every goal is important for who will go further, the level of caution is often higher than in championship matches.
But this is not a "nailed down" rule either. If an early goal is scored, the performance can be fired high. And if the opponents are not equal and the favorite leads relatively quickly, the chance of a Bet Over 2.5 goals to be successful is quite promising.
The schedule of the two teams
We must also take into account the extent to which the two teams are loaded. If one participant in a match is in a more intense sequence, then it is logical to be more exhausted and not have the physical strength to unleash his full potential. Given that this is also the team with more vulnerable defense, why not look for more goals in its own door?
Often, however, it has the opposite effect – those who rests longer goes out of rhythm. And the team with a busier calendar manages to maintain a high level, although it plays more often.
The importance of the duel
We already commented on the bet in the match when teams with the same aim meet, whether we are talking about a title, a win in the final, a place in the Euro tournaments or a battle for survival. If a match is crucial for both teams, then it is more likely that the performance on the basis of 90 minutes (because there may be extensions in eliminations) is not high.
There is another side to this factor. At the end of the seasons in the club championships, many teams are already playing without much stress as they have achieved their goals (winning a title, qualifying for Euro tournaments, securing a place in the division) or simply have nothing to fight for. In such games, defensive discipline may not be at the highest level, and the opponents can afford more open play. If you consider that there are such opponents in the match, then you can safely aim for high performance - over 2.5 or even over 3.5 goals.
Each of the factors described above plays an important role, but there are also some exceptions. To make the right judgment, we often have to combine different prerequisites. If we manage to take into account the climate conditions, the home factor, the absence or presence of important players, as well as adding to the mix the importance of the match, this gives us a more complex view of what performance we should look for. But we should also remember that often the development of a match is a matter of luck.
