Futsal: How do you play it and how do you bet on it
Simply put, futsal is soccer, only
played in the gym, and teams play 5-on-5. In this material, we will analyze the main
types of bets on futsal, features of the game and give beginners some tips to make the
best bets possible.
Thus, futsal competitions are held by the International Futsal
Association (AMF), while mini-football competitions are held under the auspices of the
International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA). There are also differences in
the rules: futsal is a more physical game, where kicks on opponents are allowed, and
the ball from the start is inserted with hands rather than with feet, unlike
mini-football. However, since the concepts of futsal and mini-football have merged, in
this material we will use them as synonyms.
Types of futsal bets
Currently, almost all
bookmakers have a wide enough line for futsal matches, so you can bet on futsal at
almost any legal online bookmaker in the UK. Just like in regular soccer, there are
several basic types of bets. Let's talk a little bit about each one.
Outcomes (time or
match)
In mini-football, you can bet that one of the teams will win the match, win in
one of the halves or in both halves. If the game is played in the knockout stages of
the tournament, it is also possible to bet on the winner of the match (after the main
time or penalty shootout). A little more detail about the bets on the outcome is talked
about in a separate material.
On total heads (more or less)
Total is the total number
of goals scored during the main time of the match. The size of the proposed total from
bookmakers depends on the class of the teams and the level of the championship.
Traditionally in futsal, more goals are scored than in regular soccer: as the "main"
total in matches of this sport bookmakers usually offer the number of 6 or 7 goals (TB
6.5/TM 6.5 or TB 7.5/TM 7.5). Learn more about betting on total goals.
On the head of
one of the teams
A bet with a handicap (or the spread) implies an advantage or an
acceptable lag of one of the parties in a sports competition. The numerical odds in
futsal are often similar to the same bets on regular soccer matches: if there is no
significant difference in the opponent's class, then the bet can be presented without a
handicap, odds of 1 or -1 per particular team. Read more about odds bets (or odds
bets).
Example:
The player made a bet "team 1 victory with a handicap (-1.5)". The
match ended 2-0 in favour of team 1. The bet is considered to have been won.
Additional
offers from bookmakers
In addition to the main bets in different lines of bookmakers,
there are additional offers: total goals in a certain half, even or an odd total of
goals in a match (e.g.: 2:2 - even, 1-0 - odd), whether both teams will score, accurate
score, winner of the entire tournament, etc.
Futsal betting strategies
In futsal, as in
soccer, you can use different betting strategies such as catch-up, accurate score,
"ladder" and others, which can be found in more detail in the special section of our
School of Betting.
As for the pre-match analytics in futsal, here you need to pay
special attention to the line-ups and tournament motivation. There are five people on
each side in mini-football, and the elimination of at least one of the squads can play
an important role. Also, the result of a team depends on the goalkeeper's game. You
should always look for information about whether the main goalkeeper will play for the
team in the upcoming game, or if the coach will save him until the next, more important
match.
Futsal is a dynamic game, and the situation on the court can change at any
second. Therefore, in this sport, some players use several strategies to increase the
chances of winning. We must remind you that none of the popular sports betting
strategies guarantees a permanent win.
As in any other sport, win-win strategies do not
exist. However, the chances of more successful bets on mini-football or futsal will be
greater, if you carefully study the compositions, statistics, as well as thoroughly
understand the rules of the game.
Which UK bookmakers offer futsal bets.
Beach football
is a seasonal sport. Obviously, in the cold and in the snow, no one can play football
on the sand. Holding indoor beach football tournaments is always a special occasion.
Turning it into a system is quite expensive. You can play all year round only in
countries where the climate allows. It is possible to do this only in some places in
the UK.
In European competitions, there is no separate category for away and home
matches, as in regular soccer. The Champions Cup was held at the beginning of the
summer in Portugal. In only ten days the strongest beach soccer club in Europe was
determined. It was the Portuguese Braga, who beat Crystal from St. Petersburg in the
final.
The World and European Championships differ only in scale.
Beach football has
only recently officially joined the soccer family. The first World Cup under the
supervision of FIFA took place only in 2011. This championship was won by the Russian
national team. Until the era of great attention from FIFA, the Brazilian national team
dominated international soccer and, in many ways, still do. Although, in recent years,
the South Americans briefly came back down to earth at the Olympics. The Brazilians
surrendered their crown for a short team, as Russia won in 2011 and 2013, and Portugal
in 2024. However, in the most recent competition in 2024, Brazil again finished as
World Champions.
So far, beach soccer still cannot be considered a serious sport.
Classic soccer or futsal both have long playing seasons, allowing players to have
permanent contracts. Beach soccer, however, is not yet able to offer massive
professional contracts and likely will not be for several years to come.
