What is Over Under Goals? Over Under Goals Explained in 2 minutes
Jesse M. Cox Last Verified
26/06/2026
What is Over/Under Goals?
Over/under goals is one of the most popular markets in football betting. It is when a punter will decide on the number of goals scored in a game and whether they will be either over or under a set number decided by the bookmaker.
A bookmaker will set the over/under goals market with the figures to a decimal place. For example, you may see odds on there to be either over or under 2.5 goals in a game of football.
The range is set to a decimal place to ensure clarity in the market. For example, if there is a 2-0 result, then there has been a total of two goals and an under 2.5 goals bet would be successful. A match result with three goals or more would return a losing bet.
How is Over/Under Goals used in Sports Betting?
Sticking with football as example, if Manchester City were set to play Liverpool in a Premier League game, you may opt to place an over/under goals bet.
A punter chosen bookmaker will offer a number of over/under goal option such as over/under 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5 and maybe even a 6+ market.
That means if you feel there will be at least four goals in the game, it would make sense to back there being over 3.5 goals in the game as that would offer better odds than over 2.5.
However, in order to get a payout, four or more goals must be scored. If you feel the game will be 1-0 to either side, then placing the under 2.5 goals bet would be the way to go.
Did you know…
The most goals scored in a World Cup match is 12 after Austria beat Switzerland 7-5 on June 26 1954 on Switzerland’s home soil.
