What is Dead Cert? Dead Cert Explained in 2 minutes
Jesse M. Cox Last Verified
26/06/2026
A dead cert is a colloquial term for something in sport that is all-but-certain to occur, with cert short for certainty.
For example, if Manchester United were 3-0 up in a game against West Brom in an FA Cup match with just 10 minutes to go, the Red Devils would be deemed a dead cert to win the game from that position because the likelihood of West Brom coming back from that position is so remote it is close to impossible.
However, a dead cert is no guarantee of success despite being the most likely scenario in a sporting event. Many punters have lost when betting on a dead cert.
How is Dead Cert used in Sports Betting?
A dead cert is often used as slang term by punters especially in horse racing and football betting.
For example, bookmakers that you find here may have a Premier League football match listed with Manchester City to beat Cardiff City at 1/20, which would be classed by many as a dead cert as that is clearly the most likely scenario.
However, a dead cert does not necessarily have to refer to such a heavy odds-on favourite.
Any competitor or team can be classed as a dead cert by a punter who is confident that their pick or their particular bet is a certainty to pay-out.
This can include any bets in any markets, as long as the punter has a reason for believing in the bet.
Did you know…
In a 2011 Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James Park, the home side were 4-0 down to the Gunners with just 22 minutes to go.
Many bookmakers had ceased pricing Newcastle in the game with Arsenal dead certs to win.
However, a stunning comeback saw Newcastle draw the game 4-4 to upset one of football’s biggest ever dead certs, in what is known as one of the greatest come backs in Premier League history.
