The Scottish Premiership is a fairly new addition to the footballing world. The Scottish Football League has been around since the late 1800s, but it wasn’t until 2013 that the Scottish Premiership as we know it today came into existence. Football is incredibly popular in Scotland. In 2019, it’s estimated that the sport channelled more than £243 million into the Scottish economy. Although it’s a young league, there’s plenty of betting potential here. Below, we break down everything you need to know about betting on SPFL leagues.
Getting Started
Before you start thinking about Scottish Premiership fixtures and scores, you’ll need to decide where you’re going to be placing your wagers. If you’re brand new to sports betting, it’s worth exploring the market to see which bookmakers are offering the best odds. If you’re looking to bet simple bets on outright results, this should be easy. However, if you’re looking for a full range of betting types, including handicap options and accumulators, you might find it better to test the waters with multiple operators.
For many first-time punters, the promise of a welcome bonus is what seals the deal when choosing an online platform. If you are tempted by these welcome perks, make sure you read the fine print. Sometimes, a free bet is exactly that. Other times, you may need to add funds to your account and make bets with your own capital before being able to withdraw any winnings.
Scottish Football Leagues to Bet On
For most punters, the Scottish Professional Football League is the obvious choice for betting opportunities. Every playing season, a dozen teams come together to do battle on the pitch. Historically, Rangers and Celtic have dominated the SPFL, which does limit your options if you’re looking for betting variety. To make life more interesting, explore handicap bets.
The Scottish Championship is another league to consider. Although this league is a second-tier one, there are fewer assurances when it comes to game outcomes. You won’t find as many betting opportunities as with the SPFL, but you will find more lucrative odds and a bigger winning margin if you’re feeling brave.
Is It Worth Staking a Wager on the National Team?
For patriots, it’s tempting to place a wager on the Scottish national team. Unfortunately, Scotland doesn’t have a great track record when it comes to international competition. However, when Scotland does qualify for a place at the UEFA European Championship or FIFA World Cup, it’s worth testing the waters and seeing what odds are out there.
Although Scotland rarely progresses beyond the group stage, the Tartan Army rarely struggles to qualify for international tournaments. Unless you’re feeling particularly adventurous, avoid throwing your money behind an outright win bet. Instead, look at handicap bets or total goal wagers. Alternatively, think about laying down some money on a first-goal scorer bet or a halftime result. You still get to throw your support behind your favourite team, but you won’t be throwing away money for no good reason.