Football trading on Betfair is a popular way to profit from the world’s most popular sport.
It’s a form of sports trading that involves buying and selling bets on the Betfair exchange, which is a platform where users can bet against each other instead of against a bookmaker.
This means that the odds are often better, and the potential profits are higher.
The benefits of football trading on Betfair are numerous.
First, it allows you to make money from your knowledge of the sport, rather than relying solely on luck. Second, it gives you more control over your bets, as you can place and adjust them in real time.
Third, it’s a flexible and adaptable way to trade, as there are many different strategies and approaches that you can use depending on the market conditions.
If you’re new to football trading on Betfair, don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of how it works, the strategies you can use to profit, the tools and resources you can use to enhance your trading, and the common mistakes to avoid.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid understanding of football trading on Betfair and be ready to start trading on your own.
The Basics of Football Trading

Before we dive into the specific strategies and techniques used in football trading on Betfair, it’s important to understand some of the basics.
Here are some key concepts that you should be familiar with:
Backing vs. Laying: In Betfair, you have the option to either back a selection or lay a selection. When you back a selection, you are betting on it to win.
When you lay a selection, you are betting against it.
So, if you back Manchester United to win a match, you will profit if they do win. If you lay Manchester United to win, you will profit if they lose or draw.
Understanding Odds and How They Work: In Betfair, odds represent the probability of an event happening. The higher the odds, the less likely the event is to happen.
For example, if the odds of Manchester United winning a match are 2.0, it means that there is a 50% chance of them winning (1 divided by 2.0).
The lower the odds, the more likely the event is to happen. If the odds of Manchester United winning are 1.5, it means that there is a 66.7% chance of them winning (1 divided by 1.5).
Identifying Value Bets: A value bet is a bet that has a higher probability of winning than the odds suggest.
For example, if the odds of Manchester United winning a match are 2.0, but you believe that they have a 60% chance of winning, then that is a value bet.
Value bets are important in football trading because they give you an edge over the market.
Understanding Liquidity and Its Importance in Trading: Liquidity refers to the amount of money available to be matched on a particular market.
The more liquidity a market has, the easier it is to trade in and out of positions at a fair price. If a market has low liquidity, it can be harder to find someone to match your bet, and you may have to take a worse price to get your bet matched.
Football Trading Strategies
Now that you understand the basics of how Betfair works, let’s look at some specific strategies that you can use to profit from football trading.
There are two main categories of football trading strategies: pre-match and in-play.
Pre-match Trading Strategies:
Team News Trading: This strategy involves monitoring team news and adjusting your bets accordingly. For example, if a key player is injured or suspended, the odds of their team winning may decrease. You can back or lay the team depending on the impact of the news.
Scalping: This strategy involves making small profits on quick trades. You can take advantage of small price movements by backing and laying at different prices. For example, if the odds on a team move from 2.0 to 1.9, you can back at 2.0 and lay at 1.9 to guarantee a profit.
Trading the Correct Score Market: This strategy involves betting on the correct score of a match. You can back or lay different score lines depending on your analysis of the game. This market often has high liquidity and can offer good opportunities for profit.
In-Play Trading Strategies
Lay the Draw: This strategy involves laying the draw at the start of a match and then trading out for a profit when a goal is scored. This is a popular strategy as it can be low-risk and high-reward, especially in matches where there is a clear favourite.
Back the Underdog: This strategy involves backing the underdog in a match when they are playing well and the odds are against them. If the underdog scores first, you can trade out for a profit or let the bet run for even more profit.
Trading the Over/Under Market: This strategy involves betting on the number of goals scored in a match. You can back or lay different goal lines depending on your analysis of the game. This market can offer good opportunities for profit, especially if there is an early goal.
Tools and Resources for Football Trading on Betfair
There are many tools and resources available to help you with your football trading on Betfair.
Here are some of the most useful ones.
Betfair Trading Software: There are many third-party software programs available that can enhance your trading experience on Betfair. These programs offer features such as advanced charting, automated trading, and customisable alerts.
Football Statistics Websites: There are many websites that offer detailed statistics on football matches and players. These can be useful for researching teams and making informed trading decisions.
Social Media: Twitter and other social media platforms can be great sources of information for football trading. You can follow expert traders, journalists, and other insiders to get the latest news and analysis.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Football Trading on Betfair
While football trading on Betfair can be profitable, there are also many mistakes that traders can make.
Here are some common ones to avoid.
Not Having a Plan: Before you start trading, it’s important to have a clear plan of what you want to achieve and how you will do it. Without a plan, you may make impulsive and emotional trades that lead to losses.
Overtrading: It can be tempting to trade too often, especially if you are using a scalping strategy. However, overtrading can lead to mistakes and losses. It’s important to be patient and wait for the right opportunities.
Chasing Losses: If you have a losing trade, it can be tempting to try to make it back by taking bigger risks. This can lead to even bigger losses. It’s important to stick to your plan and not let emotions guide your trading decisions.
Wrap Up
Football trading on Betfair is a flexible and adaptable way to profit from your knowledge of the sport.
By understanding the basics of how Betfair works, using specific strategies, and using the right tools and resources, you can make consistent profits over time.
However, it’s important to approach football trading with a clear plan, patience, and discipline. With the right mindset and skills, you can turn your passion for football into a profitable trading venture.
Remember to always keep learning and adapting your strategies as the market and game evolve. With time and practice, you can become a successful football trader on Betfair.
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Football Trading?
Football trading is the process of buying and selling bets on football matches with the aim of making a profit.
It involves backing and laying bets on the Betfair exchange, based on a trader’s analysis of the game and the odds.
How Does Trading on Betfair Work?
Betfair is a betting exchange where traders can back and lay bets against each other.
In football trading, traders can back or lay bets on specific markets such as the match result, correct score, and over/under goals.
The odds are determined by the market demand and supply, and traders can buy and sell bets at any time.
Is Football Trading on Betfair Legal?
Yes, football trading on Betfair is legal in most countries where online betting is allowed.
However, it’s important to check the local laws and regulations before engaging in any online betting activities.
Can You Make Money from Trading on Betfair?
Yes, it’s possible to make money from football trading on Betfair.
However, it requires a lot of knowledge, skill, and discipline to be successful.
Traders need to develop a strategy, have a clear plan, and manage their risk effectively to make consistent profits.
What Are Some Football Trading Strategies?
There are many football trading strategies, including scalping, laying the draw, backing the underdog, and trading the over/under market.
Traders can also use pre-match trading strategies such as team news trading and correct score trading.
The key is to find a strategy that works for you and stick to it.
What Tools And Resources Are Available For Football Trading On Betfair
There are many tools and resources available, including Betfair trading software, football statistics websites, and social media platforms such as Twitter.
These can be useful for researching teams, monitoring odds movements, and getting the latest news and analysis.
What Are Some Common Mistakes To Avoid In Football Trading?
Common mistakes to avoid include not having a plan, overtrading, and chasing losses.
Traders should have a clear plan, be patient, and stick to their strategy.
They should also manage their risk effectively and not let emotions guide their trading decisions.
How Much Money Do I Need To Start Football Trading?
There is no minimum amount required to start football trading on Betfair.
However, traders should have enough capital to manage their risk effectively and avoid losing their entire bankroll.
It’s also important to start with small stakes and gradually increase them as your experience and confidence grow.
How Can I learn More About Football Trading?
There are many resources available online, including forums, blogs, and video tutorials.
You can also learn by observing the market and the strategies used by successful traders.
The key is to keep learning, experimenting, and adapting your approach as you gain more experience.