Manchester City fans have enjoyed a wild ride over the past couple of years. A historic 2017/18 saw the Sky Blues notch an unprecedented 100 points in the Premier League before winning their third Premier League title. Not only did they successfully defend that title in 2018/19, but they also earned an FA Cup title and a Carabao Cup along the way. The team appears poised for continued success after getting off to a flying start to the 2019/20 Champions League season. At 9/2 to win it all, Manchester City is the odds-on favorite ahead of Barcelona, Liverpool, and Real Madrid.
Bookmakers appear to like Manchester City’s chances in the upcoming Premier League season which commences in August. Most major sportsbooks have this modern-day football powerhouse listed at around 4/6 to win the championship. However, at 9/4, don’t expect Liverpool to roll over. The Reds have been on a roll of their own over the past year and are the defending Champions League title holders.
Betting on Football
A recent report predicts the global sports betting market will be worth over $155 billion within five years. Because football is the most widely followed sport on the planet, it accounts for a large portion of the betting action. Punters have tens of thousands of matches to choose from every year and the majority of those individual matches present football bettors with boatloads of betting opportunities. Moneylines, totals, double chance, draw no bet, and handicap betting are popular bet types as are the correct score, both teams to score, the first team to score, and last team to score. Many sportsbooks offer well over 100 betting options on a single game. This gives punters added flexibility and makes it a little easier to find a strong bet.
Of course, finding a licensed and regulated bookie is the first step toward betting on football. You need to find one that offers the best odds and the widest range wagering possibilities. Why risk $100 to win $175 at one football betting site when you can risk the same amount on the same match at another site for a $190 payday? Be sure to compare the welcome bonuses and regular promotional offers. Any advantage you gain could be the difference between coming out ahead and losing your hard-earned money.
Choose the Right Funding Method
Needless to say, you can’t even think about placing a football wager without first funding your betting account. There are several different payment options with each having its pros and cons. Most methods facilitate instant deposits, but some can take several days to process. The same principle applies to withdrawals. Then you have the various fees that payment processors charge. On top of that, some payment methods don’t qualify for bonuses at some sportsbooks while other bookies offer exclusive bonuses to those who use certain methods. Choosing the right funding method goes a long way toward enhancing your football betting experience.
Credit/Debit Cards
Many punters use credit and debit cards like Visa as funding method at sportsbooks, and there are a few reasons for this. Reputable sportsbooks accept major credit/debit cards like Visa and Mastercard. American Express, Discover, and Diners Club are also widely accepted. Credit/debit card deposits are instant and usually qualify for bonuses which is a huge advantage.
Despite the benefits, credit card deposits have a downside. Unlike debit cards, those who use credit cards for online bookmaker deposits are often subject to cash advance fees and then interest on outstanding balances. Perhaps even more concerning is that not all sites allow credit/debit card withdrawals. This means you must find an alternative withdrawal method.
eWallets
eWallets are easy to set up and punters use them for deposits and withdrawals at nearly every online football betting site. PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and Instadebit are immensely popular in North America while ecoPayz, Entropay, and Sofort are among the favorites in Europe. eWallet deposits are instant and, with few exceptions, qualify for bonuses and promotions. Any fees that apply to transactions are typically minimal.
Prepaid Cards
Visa and Mastercard are the top prepaid brands but there are several others. You can purchase these cards in various denominations at retail outlets like pharmacies, grocery stores and gas stations. Some are reloadable while others are single-use. You can use your prepaid card to conduct an instant deposit and qualify for a bonus. The drawback is the inability to use them for withdrawals.
eVouchers
These are very similar to prepaid cards in that you can purchase them at retail outlets, they are widely accepted, and deposits are instant. They also share the same drawback of not supporting withdrawals. Neosurf and Paysafecard are two of the most popular eVouchers.
Offline Banking
One of the lesser-used payment options, offline banking transactions are perfect for those who are leery of internet money transfers. Offline banking options include bank wires and bank drafts. Using a money transfer service like Moneygram or Western Union also falls in this category. Performing these transactions require you to go to your bank or money transfer outlet. Furthermore, the deposits can take between a few minutes up to a few days to process. Be prepared to pay a moderate fee.
Cryptocurrency
More and more football bettors enjoy the privacy, convenience, and speed of cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals. Like eWallets, cryptocurrency wallets are a cinch to create and easy to use. Many football betting sites even offer special bonuses and promotions for those who use Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple and other major cryptocurrencies. Best of all, some sites instantly process cryptocurrency withdrawals and the fees, if any apply, are very minimal.
Which Payment Method is Best For You?
This boils down to your own personal preferences. Devote some time to weighing the pros and cons of each option and you will find the best payment method for you. You can then make your online sportsbook deposit with confidence and get down to enjoying the thrill of online football betting.
