In view of the great diversity of football bet markets and the abundance of factors to be considered, placing a winning bet can pose many challenges both to novice and experienced bettors. Head-to-head results between two competing football teams is a key factor having a significant impact on a wide range of market types.
Some football leagues use head-to-head records between two leading clubs having an equal number of points to assess their final ranking.
Head-to-Head Results ExplainedIn the current publication, we are going to focus on the importance of head-to-head records in football, their role in team ranking in major competitions, as well as some relevant examples.
Head-to-Head Results Explained
Head-to-head results in football, also referred to as head-to-head record, are used to denote the direct comparison of results between two teams over a certain period. The indicators that are compared include matches won, drawn, and lost, the number of goals scored, penalties, clean sheets, yellow, and red cards. The recent meetings between the two opponents are also listed, along with their dates and final scores.
Many football teams show a particular tendency in their performance against certain opponents and in such cases, head-to-head records are of particular importance and can be used to predict the outcome of matches.
While head-to-head results are noteworthy, they should not be the only factor on which bettors focus to place their football bets. Furthermore, past results in football are not indicative of the current form of a team.
Using Head-to-Head Results for Your Football Bets
Мany bettors make their match result predictions solely on the basis of head-to-head records. We would not advise you to do so, but rather expand your horizons and use them simply as one of the factors when deciding what is more likely to happen.
Punters should make their bets relying on various factors such as both teams’ current form, style of play, discipline, home and away wins, among others. The weather conditions can also have a considerable impact on team performances.
Other than the simple knowledge of the final scores of the teams’ previous matches, bettors should pay attention to the strength of their recent opponents. A draw against a stronger opponent is more valuable in comparison to a win over a poorly performing club. The absences of major players due to injuries, suspensions, or other circumstances are to be taken into consideration as well.
Once bettors weigh in all the relevant factors for a particular football match, then they may also refer to the relevant head-to-head records. In the cases when they have already decided to back the team featuring the superior head-to-head record, this will add up to their confidence. Bookmakers also consider head-to-head records, so it is up to bettors to choose the right moment to oppose the head-to-head record and make a substantial profit.
A persistent head-to-head dominance of one team over another simply means short odds for the stronger team, and from a betting perspective, such markets do not hold value. While it is advisable to rely on statistics if everything else points to a win for the weaker side of a head-to-head record, then bettors might have found a great opportunity to place a value bet, and it should not be overlooked.
Using Head-to-Head Results for League Rankings
As per the last update of the Premier League rules, made ahead of the 2019/20 season, in cases when two leading teams finish with an equal number of points, head-to-head records are used to make the necessity of an end-of-season play-off less likely.
When it comes to breaking a tie in the standings, other leagues use goal difference. The latter is the difference between the number of goals scored and goals conceded by a team.
For instance, if a team scored 50 goals and conceded 20, they have a goal differential of +30. The other way around, if the number of goals conceded surpasses the number of goals scored, then the team has a negative goal difference.
Example of Head-to Head Results
- Let us now provide an example of what the indicators are in a head-to-head comparison between two teams from the English Premier League. Data is valid as of the 2021/22 season.
Premier League Head-to-Head Results Manchester City vs Liverpool Matches played: 49 11 matches won by Manchester City Drawn: 18 20 matches won by Liverpool 66 Goals 76 6 Penalties won 3 3 Penalties scored 3 9 Clean sheets 14 73 Yellow cards 72 5 Red cards 2 Recent Meetings Time and Place Score 03 October 2021, Anfield Liverpool vs Manchester City 2:2 07 February 2021, Anfield Liverpool vs Manchester City 1:4 - Head-to-head records carry a wealth of information. From the example above, we understand that out of 49 matches played between Manchester City and Liverpool, 11 ended with a win for Manchester City, while Liverpool were victorious in a total of 20 clashes, and 18 meetings were drawn.
- Data on the total number of goals scored by both teams is available, as well as a record of penalties won and scored, clean sheets, red, and yellow cards. As far as the last two matches between the opponents are concerned, one ended in a draw, and one was won by Manchester City.The information included in head-to-head records could be considered when betting on a variety of markets such as standard match result bets, goals markets, cards bets, and more.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, bettors should bear in mind that head-to-head records can be indicative of future outcomes of football matches if all the other relevant factors are properly interpreted. To successfully adapt head-to-head results to their betting strategy, punters should look beyond the team with the superior record.
Individual approach to every single football bet is also of great importance. Records exist to be broken, and at some point, when almost no one expects, they will most probably be. So, finding the perfect timing for these discrepancies between head-to-head records and the aggregate impact of various factors can bring punters some substantial profits.