Many new sports betting opportunities have grown over the past decade, and betting on goals is one of them. This is done on lines, with 2.5 a typical example of a football betting line for this type of wagering. When you are betting on the over, you are betting on more goals scored than what is on the line.
Therefore, when you are talking about over 2.5 goals, what you are wagering on here is that there will be three goals or more in the game, which, if true, would give you a winning bet on this line.
There is one aspect of this line that may confuse people, and that is the fact that it is called 2.5 when .5 goals cannot be scored. The simple answer to this is that the line is created in this way to avoid a draw. By being 2.5, there are two possible outcomes and no draws.
The reason it is 2.5 goals that you see as the most popular market is 2.5 is close to the average number of goals in a football match. This means the market should pretty much always be around evens, between 1/2 and 2/1 in most cases.
How Does Over 2.5 Goals Betting Work?
Markets such as the over 2.5 goals betting market have been introduced to give punters a choice when betting on the game. With this market, there is no need to pick out the winner of the game, all you are hoping for here is goals, bringing a completely different way for people to bet.
If you are specifically choosing over 2.5, then what you want here is more than 2.5 goals. This market has a .5 at the end of it to ensure that there is no draw.
When you are backing over 2.5, you are hoping for three goals or more. When you are betting on the opposite, which is under 2.5, you are betting on two goals or less in the game.
What is the Opposite to Over 2.5?
The 2.5 goals market is a two-way betting market, which means there are two possible outcomes. The opposite to over 2.5 is under 2.5, which you can also choose to bet on if you like.
Something that is really good about this style of betting is that in most matches, the two options, over and under 2.5 goals, are very similarly priced, there is no clear favourite except for in specific games where a lot of goals are expected.
Examples of Over 2.5 Goals Betting Lines
If you want to know what a 2.5 goal betting line looks like, then here are some examples.
Manchester United v Arsenal
- Over 2.5 goals – 17/20
- Under 2.5 goals – 17/20
Manchester City v Liverpool
- Over 2.5 goals – 1/2
- Under 2.5 goals – 6/4
Alternatives
Over / Under 2.5 goals is the most popular market as it is close to the average number of goals in a game but all reputable bookies will offer other alternatives. From Over / Under 0.5 goals (basically 0-0 vs any other score) to any number, but practically 6.5 tends to be the highest for most games.
Rules to Remember for Over 2.5 Goals Betting
If you find yourself ready to start betting on over 2.5 goals, then here are some points to remember before you get started.
- Goals in normal time count only, this means 90 minutes plus any stoppage time for a football game. Extra time does not count on this bet.
- All goals scored count, even if these are own goals, which do not count for some other goals markets. For example, if there are three goals in the game, two of which are own goals, the total goals scored is three, not one.
- When placing your bet, there are two elements to look at when comparing bookmakers. Make sure you check out both the line and the odds, as the bookmakers will offer multiple lines such as 1.5, 3.5, 4.5 and more, as well as offering different odds.
- Due to the number of other similar betting markets available, make sure you carefully select the right bet you want to place. For example, alternative lines are available like 1.5, and also half betting is available, for example, over 2.5 goals in the first half. Make sure you get the right market when placing your bet.
