The beauty of football is that there is often so much or so little that can decide the outcome of a game. For any team going into a game as an overwhelming favourite or a significant underdog, this will inevitably play some role in their approach to the game. Although football managers often come out with generic statements about not overlooking opponents or going into games with a certain mentality, the football gambling odds can sometimes indicate how a team could approach their strategy or perform on the day.
The Mental Approach
Often the most essential element of any successful game is how the team handles their approach beforehand. Irrespective of whether they’re overwhelming favourites or not considered to have a chance, if the team goes into the game with a strong team spirit, belief, and willingness to leave it all on the line, this can go a long way. It can drive the team to perform exceptionally well, far exceeding their usual standard of play. Mentality and attitude are often what give teams, and players hope when their backs are against the wall, and regardless of the odds or how much money has been placed on them to win by sports bettors, they find a way to turn the ship around and come out victorious.
When Manchester United scored two goals in the last minute of the UEFA Champions League Final in 1999, the odds were stacked against them. Although players like to say it doesn’t impact them, Manchester United went into the game second favourites, and Bayern Munich should have had four or five goals. However, those who placed a bet on Manchester United got their reward when two goals in the last three minutes of the game gave them a 2-1 victory and stunned the sports bookmakers.
Teddy Sheringham slotted the equaliser for the Red Devils at Camp Nou all those years ago. Teddy is no stranger to understanding how gambling can impact your mentality and how mental preparation before a game can give you the edge. As an esteemed poker player, Sheringham knows how to bluff and take the winning edge into a game to gamble and win. Other Manchester United stars, such as Wayne Rooney, have frequented many casinos over the years, including blackjack tables, poker, and online slot machines, also called online pokies.
Although online pokies, slot machines, and other casino games involve far greater elements of luck and much less skill than certain casino games, gambling companies run a tight ship, and their projections for the outcome of any game are usually reasonably accurate. The term “the house always wins” didn’t just appear from thin air, and football players are more than aware of this when they go into a big game, knowing that the odds are against them.
What Drives Football Gambling Odds?
There are usually crossovers between the quality of each team, their form, any off-the-field issues at the managerial or board level, and the odds that the bookmakers provide. Other off-the-field issues can include injured players if a team has played in Europe mid-week or if they’re resting players because they have nothing to play for; dozens of things drive gambling odds.
For instance, Arsenal was a surprise package in the English Premier League last season, pushing eventual winners Manchester City extremely close before falling at the final hurdle. Maybe the combined pressure of becoming the bookmaker’s favourites, with people piling money on them to win the league, caused just a little bit too much pressure that Arteta’s men could not handle.
Next year, Mikel will be hopeful of keeping the same core squad and strengthening with some big names, which could give them the edge to go all the way instead of falling short at the last hurdle. Strength and unity both on and off the pitch will not only help teams go into games as favourites, but it will lessen the impact of football gambling on team performance.
Last Thoughts
Mentally robust teams will usually not concern themselves with football gambling odds, and they’ll find the desire and will to win regardless. However, there are instances where it contributes slightly to any team pressure, especially if they’re overwhelming favourites going into big games. For instance, Manchester City was considerable favourites in the UEFA Champions League final in 2023 against Inter Milan. Many analysts predicted them to win the game comfortably, but if it wasn’t for a Romelu Lukaku miss, there could have been a colossal upset.
Ultimately, there is some truth to the impact of football gambling, as it can bring added pressure. However, overall, we’d say that the elite teams are often non-plussed or pay little to no attention to gambling odds and focus purely on the job at hand, like true professionals.
