Top Football Betting Markets Explained (1X2, BTTS, Handicap, Double Chance & More) – Africa Edition

Once you have mastered the basics - 1X2, Over/Under, Double Chance, and BTTS - there is a whole range of football betting markets that most African punters never explore.

These less common markets are where bookmakers often set wider margins but also where sharper bettors find edges. This guide covers all 10 major market types available on African bookmakers, from the everyday to the advanced, so you know exactly what each one means and when to use it.

1. 1X2 (Home - Draw - Away) - The Classic

The simplest and most popular market worldwide.

• 1 = Home team wins
• X = Draw
• 2 = Away team wins

Best for: Matches where you're very confident about the winner (e.g., Man City vs relegation side).

2. Double Chance - Play It Safe

Cover two outcomes in one bet.

• 1X = Home win or Draw
• X2 = Draw or Away win
• 12 = Home or Away win (no draw)

Best for: Big underdogs at home (e.g., Enyimba vs Rivers United - take 1X at 1.50 instead of 3.20 on the win).

3. Both Teams to Score (BTTS / GG-NG) - Yes/No

Will both teams score at least one goal?

• BTTS Yes - common in EPL, rare in NPFL
• BTTS No - gold in defensive African leagues

4. Over/Under Goals - The African Favourite

Bet on whether the total goals in the match will be above or below a set line. The most popular line is 2.5 goals.

• Over 2.5 = 3 or more goals in the match
• Under 2.5 = 0, 1, or 2 goals in the match
• Other common lines: 1.5 (safer Over), 3.5 (higher risk Over), 0.5 (will there be any goal at all?)

Best for: Matches where you have a view on how many goals will be scored but not necessarily who will win. Check league averages - NPFL averages around 2.1 goals per game (Under bias), while the EPL averages around 3.0 (slight Over bias).

5. Asian Handicap - The Smart Punter's Favourite

Eliminates the draw and gives one team a head start.

• -0.5 = same as 1X2 home win
• -1.0 = win by 2+ > full win; win by 1 > stake back
• +0.5 = team loses or draws > you win

Best for: Avoiding draws in tight matches and getting better odds than 1X2.

6. European Handicap - Fixed Goal Advantage

Similar to Asian Handicap but with no half-goal or quarter-goal lines, and no refund on exact margins. The result is final.

• Team A -1: They must win by 2 or more goals. Win by exactly 1 = you lose.
• Team A -2: They must win by 3 or more goals.
• Team B +1: They can lose by 1 and you still win (or draw/win outright).

Best for: Punters who want a simple handicap without the partial-refund complexity of Asian lines. Less common on African bookmakers - check BetKing and 1xBet for the widest range.

7. Correct Score - High Risk, High Odds

Predict the exact final score of the match (e.g., 1-0, 2-1, 3-2). Correct score bets typically offer odds between 6.00 and 50.00+, but they are extremely hard to land consistently.

• Most common winning scorelines in football: 1-0, 2-1, 1-1 (these account for roughly 40% of all results)
• Useful as small-stake side bets alongside your main singles
• Some bookmakers offer correct score ranges (e.g., "2-3 goals total") for slightly better chances

Best for: Small stakes when you have a strong feeling about a specific match, or as one leg in a multi-bet. Never rely on correct score as your main market - the variance is too high.

8. Half-Time / Full-Time (HT/FT) - Predict the Story

You predict the result at both half-time and full-time. There are nine possible combinations (e.g., Home/Home, Draw/Away, Away/Home).

• Home/Home: Team A leads at half-time and wins the match - the most common HT/FT result for strong favourites
• Draw/Home or Draw/Away: No lead at half-time, then one side wins - good for slow-starting teams
• Away/Home: The home team comes from behind - high odds (often 15.00+) and rare, but it happens in derbies

Best for: Matches where you expect a specific pattern - for example, a dominant home team that scores early (Home/Home) or a big club that tends to start slowly then win in the second half (Draw/Home).

9. Goalscorer Markets - First, Anytime, Last

Bet on a specific player to score during the match. There are three main types:

• First Goalscorer: Highest odds - your player must score the opening goal of the match. Usually voided if they do not play.
• Anytime Goalscorer: Lower odds but much easier to hit - your player just needs to score at least once during the 90 minutes.
• Last Goalscorer: Similar odds to first goalscorer - your player scores the final goal. Harder to predict due to late substitutions.

Best for: When a striker is in hot form (check recent goals-per-game stats). Popular picks on African bookmakers include big-name forwards in the EPL, La Liga, and Champions League. Anytime goalscorer is the safest of the three.

10. Corners, Cards, and Other Specials

These markets focus on match events other than goals. They have grown rapidly on African bookmakers over the past two years.

• Over/Under Corners: The EPL averages 9-11 corners per match. Bet on whether the total will be above or below a line (e.g., Over 9.5).
• Over/Under Cards: Physical derbies (e.g., Asante Kotoko vs Hearts of Oak, Enyimba vs Rangers) tend to produce more cards. Lines are usually set at 3.5 or 4.5 total cards.
• Player Cards: Bet on a specific player to be booked - useful when a reckless defender faces a fast winger.
• Shots on Target: Less common on African bookmakers but growing - available on Bet9ja and 1xBet for major European matches.

Best for: Bettors who study tactical matchups. Corner counts depend on playing style (teams that cross a lot generate more), while card counts depend on referee tendencies and rivalry intensity. These markets often carry wider margins, so always compare prices.

Quick Comparison Table (Which Market Should You Use?)

• Want safety? > Double Chance or Asian Handicap +0.5/+1.0
• Want value in African leagues? > Under 2.5 or BTTS No
• High risk, high reward? > Correct Score or HT/FT
• Best for live betting? > Over/Under goals & Next Goal

Pro Tip from SureBet Africa Users

Always check the green highlighted odds first - the same market can pay 1.75 on Bet9ja and 2.05 on SportyBet. That small difference adds up fast.

Final Word

Master 3-4 of these markets instead of jumping between 20. The best African punters specialise - some only bet Under 2.5 in NPFL, others only do Asian Handicap on European games.

Pick your preferred markets, compare the best odds on Sure Bet Africa, and make sure you're always getting the best available price.

Bet responsibly - only ever risk money you can afford to lose.

Quick FAQ

Q: Which of these markets has the lowest bookmaker margin?
A: 1X2 and Over/Under 2.5 goals on major leagues typically have the tightest margins. Correct Score and HT/FT tend to carry the highest margins - sometimes 15-20%+.

Q: Are all these markets available on every African bookmaker?
A: The big four (1X2, Over/Under, Double Chance, BTTS) are available everywhere. Asian Handicap, European Handicap, and specials (corners, cards) depend on the bookmaker and the match - 1xBet and Bet9ja typically offer the widest range.

Q: Should I bet on markets I do not fully understand?
A: No. Stick to the 2-3 markets you know best and expand gradually. Every new market has its own quirks - learn them with small stakes before committing real money.

Bet responsibly. 18+ only.