Easy to follow guide to the Over 0.5 Goals Betting Strategy

Written by: Alex Windsor
Fact checked by Brian Webb  
Updated: January 7, 2025

Football is the most popular sport in the world. There are numerous football matches played around the globe almost daily, so bettors have the option to utilise a variety of football betting strategies and tools to make use of whenever placing a bet on a match.

There are many factors that influence a betting strategy. The odds obviously play a big role in decisions, you are always looking for value and how you can make the most profit from as little outlay as possible. Then of course you must consider the unpredictability of sport. You might think you have bet on a team that is a ‘sure thing’ but there is a big injury or red card early doors in the game and your bet goes up in flames (unless you bet on Man City after January, which is as sure a thing as you can get).

Over 0.5 goals strategy

Whether you prefer betting on the underdog or favourites, everyone falls into some sort of overall betting strategy. One of the most popular betting strategies is simply betting on the outcome of one match or several, but getting them all correct is difficult. This is why bettors look to other popular betting strategies, one being the 0.5 goals option. But what is this strategy about?

The Over 0.5 Betting Strategy Explained

There are many goals scored strategies available, and the over 0.5 goals is the safest one. You’re looking to predict the number of goals scored in a particular match. For example, bettors might go for the total goals scored, and if there are enough goals that go over the threshold the bet is winning one.

When you bet on over 0.5 goals this means that during the match there will be at least a goal scored on either side. So, it would make sense for this to be over 1 goal right? But 0.5 goals makes it clear that a minimum of 1 goal is needed.

Naturally, this bet won’t always work. You are looking for teams who are struggling in front of goal and waiting for them to play each other. We wouldn’t advise Liverpool at home to Sheffield Utd as a 0.5 goals bet, for example.  At the other end of the spectrum, teams often cancel each other out, 7.5% of Premier League matches end 0-0 which means that no goals are scored and the bet is lost. The odds don’t usually go in the bet’s favour as they are rather small. But there’s a way to make this bet work.

Looking to bet on this market? Check out our free over 0.5 betting tips and predictions from our in-house betting expert Daniel.

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Making the Bet Work

The bet is pretty simple to understand and now that you know about it, it’s a good idea to understand how it works in practice. But first, you must start with setting a limit. In other words, you should always limit your budget for each betting session. Also, it’s a good idea to set your goals regarding your wins and losses. Once you do that you’ll need to keep to your set goals, meaning you don’t lose what you can’t afford to lose.

When it comes to making the bet work, you’ll need to look for the bet with odds around 1.10. The bet isn’t that common in big leagues so you might find it in the smaller leagues. You’ll need to place several bets and clear them as quickly as possible. You can take this a step further and place the same bet on similar odds. You can repeat the process until you’ve earned your specified amount. If you lose you can start again.

You can also increase your chances of getting a good return, by tying your bets in with one of the bookies free bet offers. These generally give you a free bet worth a set amount, when you wager an amount.

How to bet on over 0.5 Goals

Having a plan and strategy in mind is always wise in sports betting. With the odds being so low in this specific market, it is even more beneficial if you have a sound strategy in place. First, it is important that when choosing your next game to bet on it is between two high scoring teams. You need at least one goal so choosing a match between two teams known for their scoring prowess, such as Manchester City and Liverpool, gives you a far better chance of winning.

As with any football betting market, you should do your research. There is plenty of data available these days for free with sites dedicated to player and team stats showing total goals, shots, XG (expected goals) and more. You can have a look at which teams have a leaky defence and those who have potent attackers and make a more informed decision.

Odds on the over 0.5 goals market are low, with some maybe thinking they are too low to make it worthwhile. However, if you are willing to put in the time to carry out the research, this market can give you a nice boost and it is always valuable to add to that bankroll.

The Pros and Cons of the 0.5 Betting Strategy

Pros

There are pros and cons to every betting strategy, the over 0.5 goals betting strategy included. The best part about this one is that there’s a 80% chance that you’ll win all your bets. That type of strike-rate is excellent overall and means any severe losses are few and far between. Additionally, tips are only sent for specific games where tipsters or the form guide reveals there is an upcoming game with a high chance of 0.5 goals. This means only betting when conditions are ideal, so you are not just forcing a bet for something to do. Very much quality over quantity.

It also adds excitement when you are watching a football match. If you are just a neutral and a team scores it might not garner much of a reaction. But when there is something on it, particularly with over 0.5 goals, it adds some emotion.

Cons

No form of betting is perfect.  Just one loss will eliminate your winning streak and you’ll need to start over again. You can reinvest your winnings from one bet to another and these bets are common with smaller leagues, as mentioned before, so you’ll minimize the possible risks. Don’t forget to quit after you’ve reached your set goal for wins.

Also, one thing to keep in mind is football has become a huge global source of entertainment. The game is now set up in a way that encourages more goals than ever before with the money involved. Nobody wants to see a 0-0 draw, they would much rather a 4-4 draw. Always look at the form guide and stats before betting. It can be tricky to nail a low scoring game.

Of course, this strategy is just one of many that you can use, there are also plenty of other options which we highlight in our betting guides pages.

0.5 Goals Betting Example

The good news is, placing a 0.5 goals bet is straightforward, just take a look at the below screenshot:

Betting over 0.5 goals in a football game

Whatever sports betting site you are using, just navigate your way to the game you want to bet on, and there will be a range of different types of bets available. Click on goals, and here you will have the option to bet on over/under a certain amount. Click under 0.5, enter your state and submit. Away you go, not you just watch and hope your prediction was right.

Why is 0.5 Goals Bet so Popular?

As mentioned above, if you get your selected match right, the chances of winning on the over 0.5 goals market are much higher than most other betting markets. It is only about 7% of matches in the major European leagues that end in a goalless draw, so you have a big chance of winning this bet.

Another reason this is so popular is that you don’t need to know a huge amount about football. Just knowing little bits about big teams and the big players can be enough.

Conclusion

This is a simple guide to the over 0.5 goals betting strategy, as stated in the title of the article. Remember to be patient and go for the selections with a strong betting value as they will give you a better chance. It is always a good idea to look at English Football League games rather than just the big games in the Premier League. Having a staking plan is also wise, so you know in advance how much you have to play with.

There are far more games in the EFL which means far more opportunities for you to make some money and get your 0.5 goals betting strategy perfected.

Alex, a ten-year iGaming industry veteran and Managing Editor at BettingTools specializes in sports betting and betting tools. He also provides insightful reviews, ensures the accuracy of all offers, and maintains content quality helping you make informed choices. Combining professional expertise with a passion for football and soccer, Alex ensures we offer you a reliable resource, focusing on betting tools to assist with odds, accas, and other betting strategies.