Correct Score Bets Full Guide for 2025
If you’re looking to bet on a football game and want bigger payouts than you’d get for just picking the winner, correct score betting is the way to go. Instead of simply choosing who’ll win, you’re predicting the exact score.
It’s definitely riskier than regular match-winner bets – but greater risk can also mean chances for much greater rewards. On this page, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know before placing a correct score bet. We’ll go over how the different betting markets work, how to actually place a bet, and tips to help you make solid picks.
Correct score betting explained
Correct score betting is exactly what it sounds like – you’re betting on the exact score of a game, like 3-1 in a football match. But it’s not just about predicting the full-time result. There are actually a few different correct score markets that let you mix things up and place bets in different ways
1. Half-time correct score
You don’t have to wait for the final whistle for a chance to win a correct score bet. With this option, you’re betting on what the score will be at half-time. It doesn’t matter how the game ends – you just need to get the score right at the end of the first half.
2. Second-half correct score
Similar idea, but this time you’re focusing just on the second half. This one’s super popular for live betting since you can place your bet at half-time, after you’ve had a chance to see how the game’s playing out.
3. Full-time correct score
This is the classic version – predicting the final score at the very end of the game. It’s the most straightforward and probably the most popular type of correct score bet.
Pros and cons
- Easy to understand#Various betting market types#Available on most sites
- Higher risk than other betting markets
A correct score betting example
Just so you have a clear idea of how correct score betting works, let me take you through a bet I placed on the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Dortmund. Before the match started, I went for the final correct score market and predicted a 2-0 win for Madrid. Their defense had been solid all tournament, and with guys like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. in top form, I thought two goals and a clean sheet were totally doable.
If you’re a football fan like me, you’ll know how it played out. Madrid ended up winning 2-0, just like I’d called it. There was a tense moment in the 82nd minute when Füllkrug scored a header for Dortmund, but it was disallowed for offside. Huge sigh of relief there – that would’ve totally ruined the bet, since the score has to be exactly right to win.
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Correct score betting tips
No strategy guarantees success with correct score bets, but these tips can help you make better picks.
Stick to the basics
The best way to approach correct score bets – especially for football – is to keep things simple. In the Premier League, results like a 1-1 draw, a 1-0 home win, or a 2-1 home win are statistically the most common outcomes.
Sure, a 4-2 prediction might offer a bigger payout, but your chances of winning are pretty slim. The safer picks still come with solid odds in the 7/1 to 10/1 range – so you’re still in for a decent return if it hits.
| Common score | Typical odds |
|---|---|
| 1-0 home win | 6/1 – 8/1 |
| 2-1 home win | 7/1 – 10/1 |
| 1-1 draw | 5/1 – 7/1 |
| 0-0 draw | 7/1 – 9/1 |
Look at past matchups
Before placing a correct score bet, it’s a good idea to check how the two teams have matched up in the past. You might notice some patterns that give you a better idea of what to expect.
Take Arsenal vs. Reading as an example – they’ve gone head-to-head 14 times, and Arsenal has won every single match. When you find trends like that, it makes it a whole lot easier to make an informed prediction.
Find low-scoring matches
Since football games tend to be low-scoring most of the time, finding matches that are likely to have fewer goals is the way to go. The best way to do this is by digging into defensive stats – especially clean sheets and goalkeeper form. For instance, in the 2023–24 Premier League season, David Raya helped Arsenal to 16 clean sheets and won the Golden Glove. Noticing that kind of form is a goldmine for 0-0 or 1-0 bets.
Be mindful of the 90-minute rule
When you’re betting on the correct score in football, it usually only applies to regular time – that’s the 90 minutes plus any added injury time. Extra time and penalties don’t count. So, let’s say you bet on a cup final between Man City and Man United, predicting a 1-0 win for City.
If the game is still 0-0 after 90 minutes and City scores in the 120th minute during extra time, your bet loses. Even though you guessed the final score right, it didn’t happen during regular time – and that’s what you need to be mindful of with this type of bet.
How to bet on the correct score
If you’re wondering how to bet the correct score on FanDuel – or honestly, any major sportsbook – it’s straightforward and basically works the same way across the board. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
First things first – log into your sportsbook account. If you don’t have one yet, you’ll find top recommendations in the banners on this page.
You’ll need money in your account to place a bet, and this would be a good time to claim a betting sign-up offer on your first deposit.
Most correct score bets are placed on football, but you’ll also find them for other sports like hockey and tennis.
Scroll through the betting options until you spot “Correct Score.” You’ll see a bunch of possible final scores – like 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, and so on. Think the game’s ending 2-1? Just tap that score and it’ll be added to your bet slip.
Enter how much you want to wager, and the sportsbook will show you the potential payout based on the odds – so understanding how betting odds work can definitely help here.
Final thoughts on correct score betting
Correct score betting is super straightforward, and it can lead to much bigger payouts than your usual match result or over/under bet. But with those higher rewards comes more risk – there’s way less room for error when you’re trying to predict the exact score.
That’s why it’s a good idea to focus on the most common outcomes, like a 1-1 draw or a tight home win such as 1-0 or 2-1 – especially in games expected to be low-scoring.
Think solid defenses, goalkeepers in form, and teams that don’t have much reason to take big risks. Also, make sure to look at the results from previous matchups – spotting trends can help you make smarter picks, but never forget to place your bets in moderation and within your own limits.
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Correct score betting FAQs
⚽ How does correct score betting work?
It’s a simple type of bet where you predict the exact final score of a game – like 2-1 or 1-1.
🏒 Is correct score betting only for football?
No, while it’s most common in football, you can also find correct score markets in sports like hockey and tennis.
🎲 How risky is correct score betting?
It’s riskier than regular bets since you have to get the score exactly right – but the payouts can be much higher too. Just remember, a win is never guaranteed in line with online gambling.
