Betting on Over/Under 2.5 Goals is one of the most popular bets in football.
But what exactly does over/under 2.5 goals goals mean? Below, we go into more detail.
On this page you will also find over/under 2.5 football betting tips, and spread betting information.
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OVER 2.5 GOALS MEANING
Over 2.5 goals means 3 or more goals need to be scored in a match.
So for Over 2.5 Goals to win, we need a scoreline like 2-1, 3-0, 4-1, 2-2.
A score line of 1-1 would be a total of 2 goals, and would be a losing bet, as it would be under 2.5 goals.
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UNDER 2.5 GOALS MEANING
Under 2.5 goals means 2 goals or less to be scored in a match.
So this means the score line can be 0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 2-0, 0-2, or 1-1 - all of these score lines would see under 2.5 goals win.
A score line such as 2-1 would be a losing bet, as it would be a total of 3 goals - which would be over 2.5 goals.
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OVER/UNDER 2.5 ODDS EXPLAINED
Over/Under 2.5 Goals is one of the most popular bets in football outside of match winner bets.
The odds on this market are usually fairly even (as shown in below screenshot).
This makes the bet a 50/50 spread, or very close to it.
This is what makes it so popular. A typically priced market with a bookmaker would see the odds like this....
Over 2.5 - 10/11
Under 2.5 - 10/11
Whereas on a betting exchange like Betfair, it is more likely to be.....
Over 2.5 - 2.00
Under 2.5 - 1.99
OVER/UNDER SPREAD BETTING
The main spread betting firm out there for football is Sporting Index.
They don't have a specific Under/Over 2.5 market, but they do have a Total Goals spread betting market that is generally based on the Over/Under 2.5 Goals market.
For example, on the average match you can Sell at 2.85 Goals, or Buy at 3.05 Goals.
Selling at 2.85 Goals would be a bet on Under 3 Goals, while Buying at 3.05 would be a bet on 4 goals or more.
Our Spread Betting Explained page has far more detail and examples of spread betting.
OVER/UNDER 2.5 GOALS ACCUMULATORS
Due to the popularity of over and under betting, this market represents a good opportunity for accumulator bets.
The opportunity to pick out 4 to 5 matches every weekend with odds of roughly 10/11 is very strong, and this sort of 5 match accumulator bet would pay around 22/1.
This bet can also be used in a trixie bet, or a yankee bet.
Using 3 matches at even money in a trixie bet would see you only needing 2 matches to come in, for you to at least get your money back.
Get all 3 right, and it represents a good profit.
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OVER/UNDER 2.5 GOALS FAQ
Over 2.5 goals means 3 or more goals scored in a match. It is a 90 minutes bet only, meaning extra time and penalties don't count.
Under 2.5 goals means less than 3 goals scored in a match. Meaning matches with 0, 1, or 2 goals scored, would be under 2.5 goals.
The answer really is very simple. The reason .5 is in the bet is to make it a two way bet, rather than 3. If the bet was Under 3 goals, or Over 3 goals, the bookmaker would have to add a third option for when 3 goals are scored. Adding the .5 eliminates the need for this.
A bet on over 2.5 goals is a bet on there being 3 or more goals scored in a match. It is a 90 minutes only bet.
A bet on under 2.5 goals is a bet on there being less than 3 goals scored in a match. So any scoreline with under 3 goals would win, such as 0-0, 1-0, 1-1, or 2-0.
It means 3 or more goals need to be scored. For example, 2-1, 3-0, even 4-3, etc would be over 2.5 goals.
It means less than 3 goals. In other words any scoreline with 0, 1, or 2 goals in it would be under 2.5 goals. Scorelines such as 0-0, 1-0, or 1-1.
