Football betting is a global 365 day activity. Worth billions of dollars there is no reason why a person can not grab a nice slice of that for themselves. All is takes is a methodical and systematic approach.

If you want to be successful at football betting and turn it into a profitable activity than you can not make a single football bet based on sentimentality or emotion. Everything has to be based on research, statistics and reasoning. Sure Manchester United and Liverpool can be upset here or there, but in the long run they are going to win more matches than they lose

Statistics are your best friend when it comes to betting at football. There are some people who hate statistics and the rigidity that comes with them, but they provide a framework around which one can work. For instance, if Tottenham hasn’t won a game at Stamford Bridge since 1962, it stands to reason that they aren’t going to win there. Now this could be the game they break the drought but the likelihood is that it won’t be.

In essence, online football betting is no different to conventional betting but there is one key unique aspect to it. One can surf the internet and visit 20 different betting sites in only a matter of minutes. If there is a discrepancy between the odds, one could bet on all outcomes risk-free. As the football bettor, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of a scenario such as this.

One can also use the internet to find out as much information as possible. What is the weather like? Who is injured and won’t be playing? Or who hasn’t been training and thus will play under the duress of an injury. Information is power and this information can mean more successful football betting.

Sometimes the bookmakers have framed a market about something they know nothing about. For instance, you sometimes have international youth tournaments where one can bet on who the leading goalscorer will be. Now when you are dealing with unknown players, it isn’t always obvious about who is going to be the main candidates. After research, it may become apparent that someone has slipped under the radar and some very lucrative online football betting could follow.

One of the cardinal sins when it comes to betting on football is when it comes to people betting on matches that involve their own team. You can’t win either way here. If you bet in favor of your team and they lose, your attachment to the team has cost you the bet. If you bet against your team, then you find yourself cheering against your team which just isn’t right. This is why it is best not to bet at all on a match involving the side you support.

At the end of the day to bet football is no different to betting on tennis or baseball. You have to play the percentages and when you sense an upset is on the cards go for it. There are some days the bookmakers have it wrong and that means you can capitalize on this discrepancy in the market. Never try to double up as it can only sink you into further trouble.

Laura Saunders is a freelance writer with an interest in the world of sports betting. She is well known for her success in all sports, but her favourite is football betting.