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Backing the draw is too often overlooked by football bettors

Backing the draw is too often overlooked by football bettors
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Football is a low-scoring sport, and results are often decided by the tiniest of margins. One defensive error or the occasional moment of brilliance can completely transform a match and there is often very little between sides at the highest level. Yet, punters are rarely tempted to wager on the draw. The majority of football bettors tend to be drawn to either the home or away side, despite the shorter odds. However, there is undoubtedly value in backing the game to end all-square, and it is an outcome which is too often overlooked.

Best league for draws?

Serie B has often been a reliable source of stalemates, and the 2020-21 campaign appears to be following suit. 25 of the first 64 matches (39%) completed this season have ended level, with both Cosenza and Pordenone having drawn 71% of their games so far. Two seasons ago, 32% of games in the Italian second tier finished without a winner.

Likewise, the French Championnat National has also produced several tight contests, with 37% of games finishing honours even. Somewhat surprisingly, the usually high-scoring Swiss Super League has produced the same number of draws, with the 2. Bundesliga and Spanish Tercera not far behind. There are hundreds of lower-profile divisions around the world that also see games regularly finish without a winner. These include the Honduras Liga Nacional de Futbol and the Iranian Persian Gulf Pro League.

Despite the majority of these leagues receiving little news coverage, many online bookmakers do offer a wide range of markets on these games. There has been a notable increase in betting activity around the world, and the number of sites has exponentially increased over the last few years. This has allowed punters to shop around to find the best possible odds for backing the draw.

Whilst some bettors may be drawn in by the price, there are also several other factors to consider before signing up for a brand new operator. A wide range of markets and a generous welcome bonus should also be factored into the equation, with the latter having become common practice across many different industries in recent years.

Introductory incentives are a great way of attracting customers to a brand, with some sites acting as a gatekeeper and curating the best available offers to ensure you get the best deals. For example, fans of table games such as roulette and blackjack can choose from hundreds of new casino offers before deciding on whether to sign up for an account. In the current climate, this approach is sensible due to how many competitors there are, meaning users get the luxury of picking from the best.

What type of matches are likely to finish level?

Plenty of research is required to unearth those games which are likely to end in a stalemate, yet it can be a hugely rewarding experience. Although finding two closely-matched sides is a decent starting point, bettors should also look for teams who are incredibly tough to beat. In England, managers such as Aitor Karanka and Neil Warnock will look to avoid defeat wherever possible, and their sides are often able to manage games effectively. The latter is currently on a 10-match unbeaten run with Middlesbrough, although the Teessiders have drawn six of those encounters. Following these types of managers can be extremely profitable long-term, although a fair amount of patience is also required.

Teams who have recently switched manager should also be noted, with newly-appointed coaches often taking a back-to-basics approach in order to stop the rot. This can often result in low-scoring draws as the new man in charge looks to slowly build momentum, and instil some much-needed confidence in his underperforming squad.

Although football remains a hugely unpredictable sport, there is undoubtedly value to be found in backing games to finish level. It is often curiously overlooked by bettors, but finding teams who struggle to pick up victories, or who are intent on simply avoiding defeat, should give punters a decent run for their money every week.

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