Soccer Betting: Corner Bets

What is corner? Let’s start from there. A corner is awarded when the ball goes out of play over the goal line, with the defending team being the last to touch it. The team that did not touch the ball last is awarded a corner kick, which is taken from the corner arc nearest to where the ball went out of play. In soccer, a corner bet refers to a type of wager placed on the number of corners that will be awarded during a match.

When placing a corner bet, you predict the total number of corners that will be awarded during the match. Bookmakers often provide various options for corner bets, such as over/under a certain number of corners or betting on the exact number of corners. For example, you might find options like “Over 8.5 corners” or “Exact 10 corners”.

The popularity of corner betting in soccer has been on the rise due to several factors:

(1) Availability of betting markets: With the growth of online sports betting platforms, there has been an increase in the variety of available betting markets. Corner betting offers a unique and specific aspect of the game to bet on, which appeals to bettors looking for alternative wagering options.

(2) Increased access to information: The internet and advancements in technology have made it easier for bettors to access and analyze relevant information. Detailed statistics, team data, and match analysis are readily available, allowing bettors to make more informed corner betting decisions.

(3) In-play and live betting: The rise of in-play and live betting has provided bettors with the opportunity to engage with the game in real-time. Corner betting is particularly well-suited for in-play betting, as the number of corners can change throughout the match, providing dynamic and exciting betting opportunities.

(4) Favorable odds and value: Corner betting can offer attractive odds, especially in situations where there is a perceived imbalance between teams. Bookmakers may not assign as much attention to corner betting markets compared to other popular markets like match outcome or goal totals, which can present value betting opportunities for astute bettors.

(5) A different betting experience: Corner betting adds a new type of excitement to the game by focusing on a specific aspect of play. It allows bettors to be more engaged and invested in the match, as every corner kick can potentially affect the outcome of their bets.

(6) Skill-based betting: Corner betting requires a certain level of analysis and knowledge of teams’ playing styles, set-piece strategies, and defensive capabilities. This skill-based aspect appeals to bettors who enjoy researching their bets and developing betting strategies, making it an appealing option.

How can we predict the number of corners in a soccer match?

It’s important to note that predicting the exact number of corners is in a soccer match can be challenging as it depends on various factors and can be influenced by the dynamics of the game. However, there are some key aspects you can consider when attempting to make a prediction:

‐ Team playing styles: Analyze the playing styles of the teams involved. Some teams prefer a possession-based game, which can lead to more corners as they push forward and try to create scoring opportunities. Other teams may rely on a defensive mindset, which could result in fewer corners.

‐ Offensive and defensive strength: Assess the offensive and defensive capabilities of the teams. Teams with strong attacking players and a propensity to shoot from different angles are more likely to win corners. Similarly, teams with solid defensive strategies may concede fewer corners.

‐ Tracking set-piece proficiency: Pay attention to teams’ set-piece proficiency, particularly their ability to score from corner kicks. Some teams may have skilled headers or set-piece specialists who can convert corner kicks into goals. Considering these factors can help you assess the likelihood of goals or goal-scoring opportunities from corners.

‐ Recent form and statistics: Examine the recent form of the teams, including their performance in previous matches. Look at their average number of corners per game and the number of corners they have won and conceded in recent matches. This data can provide insights into their corner tendencies.

‐ Head-to-head record: Review the head-to-head record between the teams involved. Check if there is a pattern of high or low corner counts in their previous meetings. This can provide an indication of how the teams match up against each other in terms of corners.

‐ Weather conditions: Consider the weather conditions for the match. Rainy or windy conditions can affect the trajectory of the ball and lead to more unpredictable bounces, potentially resulting in more corners.

What are the key corner betting statistics to keep in mind?

We analysed the 2022/23 season in the top 6 European leagues to put together a set of the key corner betting statistics to keep in mind. The average number of corners in a match is 9.5 and this figure show only limited variation across the leagues analysed. Therefore, in under over betting, you will most frequently observe 9.5 corners as the threshold: in other words, during an “average” match in these leagues, there is a 50-50% chance that there will be under 9.5 corners or over 9.5 corners. However, an “average” match does not really exist in real life and the corner counts can vary significantly from one match to another.

However, the number of corner won by a team shows significant variation among the teams. The leading teams in this category typically win 6-7 corners in match whereas the lagging teams typically win about 3 corners. Therefore, the threshold set in under over betting could be 6.5 corners (maybe even, 7.5 corners or 8.5 corners) for some teams and 3.5 corners (maybe even, 2.5 corners or 1.5 corners) for the others.

Which type of matches are more suitable for corner betting?

While there is no definitive answer to which matches are more suitable for corner betting, certain factors can increase the likelihood of higher corner counts. Here are some situations where you might consider corner betting:

‐ Mismatches in team strength: Matches where there is a significant difference in quality between the teams can often result in higher corner counts. The stronger team may dominate possession and push for goals, resulting in increased opportunities for corners.

‐ Attacking-minded teams: Matches involving teams with aggressive and attacking playing styles tend to have more corners. Teams that frequently push forward, take shots from various angles, and create scoring opportunities are more likely to win corners.

‐ Teams with tall and physical players: Teams with taller and more physical players, particularly in the attacking areas and during set-piece situations, have an increased chance of winning corners. Their aerial presence can lead to more corners being won.

‐ Open and fast-paced matches: Matches that are open and fast-paced, with end-to-end action, can lead to increased corner counts. When both teams are actively seeking to score and counter-attack quickly, it can result in more chances near the goal lines and potential corner opportunities.

‐ Matches with high stakes: Important matches, such as cup finals, playoff matches, or matches with significant implications for league standings, can often result in higher corner counts. The pressure to score and the intensity of the game can lead to more attacking intent and, consequently, more corners.

Remember, these factors provide some general guidance, but it’s essential to conduct further research and analysis on individual teams, their playing styles, and recent form to make informed corner betting decisions.

What are most common pitfalls in corner betting?

When engaging in corner betting, it’s important to be aware of potential pitfalls that can affect your success. The prudent bettor should pay attention to the following traps:

‐ Overestimating corner counts: One common pitfall is overestimating the number of corners that will occur in a match. It’s easy to fall into the trap of expecting a high corner count based on team reputation or recent performance. However, soccer is inherently unpredictable, and factors such as defensive strategies, weather conditions, or changes in team dynamics can significantly impact corner counts.

‐ Ignoring context and match dynamics: Every match has its unique context and dynamics, which can affect corner counts. In live betting, factors such as the scoreline, time remaining, referee tendencies, and substitutions can all impact the flow of the game and the number of corners awarded. Ignoring these contextual factors can lead to misguided corner betting choices. Assess the real-time match dynamics: observe which team has the upper hand, which team is applying more attacking pressure, and whether there are any notable changes in tactics or momentum momentum shifts. For example, if a team is trailing and pushes for a comeback, it may result in more corner kicks.. These factors can indicate potential corner opportunities.

‐ Relying solely on historical data: While historical data can provide insights, it should not be the sole basis for corner betting decisions. Soccer is a dynamic sport, and teams evolve over time. Relying solely on past statistics without considering current form, team changes, or recent trends can be misleading.

‐ Overlooking key details: Sometimes, small details can make a significant difference in corner betting. Factors like weather conditions, pitch quality, referee tendencies, and team news (such as key players’ injuries) should not be overlooked. These details can impact the game dynamics and ultimately affect corner counts.

In conclusion, Corner betting in soccer involves wagering on the number of corner kicks that will occur during a match. It is a popular betting market that offers an alternative way to engage with the game and potentially earn profits. When placing corner bets, bettors analyse various factors such as team statistics, playing styles, and match dynamics to predict the number of corners accurately.

To make informed corner betting decisions, bettors often assess teams’ corner statistics, including their average number of corners per match and their home and away records. They also consider playing styles, as teams that focus on attacking play or possess strong set-piece proficiency are more likely to generate corner opportunities. Analyzing match dynamics, such as team rivalries, match importance, and live in-play analysis, can also provide valuable insights for corner betting.

While corner betting can be exciting and profitable, there are potential pitfalls to avoid, such as overestimating or underestimating the number of corners, disregarding match dynamics, or falling into emotional biases. By implementing effective strategies, such as analyzing team and player statistics, studying referee tendencies, and combining corner bets with other markets, bettors can enhance their corner betting approach.