Guide to Futsal Betting
Introduction to Futsal
To describe Futsal broadly, we would have to say that it’s a type of soccer. The game is played indoors, on a pitch approximately the size of a basketball court, although the field of play maximum dimensions can be 42 x 25 meters.
So, there is a relatively large variance in court size, according to where it’s being held. When compared to soccer, there are a few significant distinctions that go beyond field size. Where soccer features 11 players, Futsal features only 5. As with soccer, one of those players must be a goalkeeper.
The Futsal ball is also slightly smaller and more rigid than a standard soccer ball and less reactive (some 30% less bouncy). The standard soccer ball is a size 5, and the Futsal ball is a size 4. These factors make the ball more conducive to shorter passes and tightly-spaced play, where the soccer ball allows for longer ranges across wider spaces.
The smaller space combined with, the less reactive ball makes for some seriously fast action, and Futsal also features more strictly timed play, with set plays such as restarts being on the clock. All of these combine to create a frenetic sense of urgency to the sport giving the game its speed and phenomenal skill level.
It’s often confused with indoor soccer, butFutsal uses a smaller and heavier ball, while indoor soccer uses a standard ball. In addition, indoor soccer uses the walls as part of the play, which is not the case in Futsal, where walls (if any) are out of bounds.
As with other forms of soccer, the popularity of Futsal betting is not far behind and gaining ground reasonably rapidly too.
Main Rules
Futsal is played over two halves, but these halves are less than those in soccer (20 minutes, as opposed to 45). This is because of the high pace at which the game is played, meaning that players tire very quickly.
Perhaps the most significant structural difference in the way play happens is the absence of an offside rule in Futsal. Unlike in soccer, the advancing player does not have to be behind the foremost kicker to play the ball legally.
This means that players are unrestricted regarding where they may play the ball from, and this significantly changes where players can position themselves, e.g. ahead of their teammates near the goal.
Another big difference is in terms of contact. No shoulder contact or sliding tackles are permitted. A player sent off for such infringement may be replaced within two minutes or after a score.
Given the shorter times of the match, there’s a strong emphasis on pace in the game. All set plays are timed so that the action is unrelenting. For example, goal throws are timed to 4 seconds, as are other restarts, and if play is halted for any reason, the clock is stopped. Substitutions are also instant and unlimited through the match.
This frenzied pace is the game’s big draw, and this style of play is credited by many for the success of South American soccer teams. This is due to the fact that many players rise through the Futsal ranks before playing the 11-man version.
Given the smaller area and tighter player formation, the scores in Futsal tend to be far higher than in soccer. Scoring occurs exactly the same way, with a player getting the ball past the goalkeeper into the net. In Futsal, the entire ball must be past the line to be valid. The team which scores the most goals is deemed to have won the match.
Main Competitions
There are a great many top competitions in the sporting calendar for Futsal. In terms of both TV entertainment and the betting world, these four competitions are the premier options. They’re also the main events for Futsal betting.
World Cup
The Futsal World Cup was first staged in the Netherlands in 1989. 16 teams were represented at the tournament, with the ultimate honours going to Brazil in the final. It was staged under the auspices of FIFA and remained under this governance to this day.
The championship is held every four years, timed to occur at the halfway point between soccer World Cup events. Nowadays, there are typically 24 or more teams that take part in the competition, derived from regional championships around the globe.
The Futsal World Cup format mirrors its counterpart in the larger game, meaning that the teams play in several group stages, and then the games are placed into quarters, semis, and finals to determine the final outcome. It’s the ultimate trophy within the Futsal world and highly coveted. It’s also the most televised event in the sport.
UEFA Futsal Cup
Sometimes called the UEFA Futsal Champions League, and was officially founded in 2001. It’s a regional contest, open to European teams only. The competition is an annual event that replaced an earlier championship called the Futsal European Clubs Championship, which had been held since the early 80s.
Various formats for the competition have been used, although it has now settled on a quarters, semis, and finals format. The game is televised throughout the world and has a large international fanbase.
AFC Futsal Cup
Previously known as the AFC Futsal Championship, the AFC Futsal Asian Cup is run by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Initially, the games were held on an annual basis, but since 2008 are now held every two years. There are 16 teams that participate, with the Iranians dominating the field.
Spain Primera Division
Founded way back in 1989, the Spanish Premier Division of Futsal (Liga Nacional de Fútbol Sala) is an annual championship featuring 16 teams from around Spain. It’s a heavily televised event and garners an earnest and dedicated following both within Spain and around the world.
The format is that each team plays two games; home and away. A win means 3 points, a draw earns 1 point, and a loss is a loss. Its structure is simple, insofar as the team with the most points after all the games are played has won. In the event of a tie, the best head-to-head points are decisive.
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All the serious players in the betting world have a stake in the game, and it’s not difficult to find decent markets around Futsal betting. It lends itself very well to the betting industry because of the quickness of the sport itself as well as the shortness of individual matches.
Since matches are usually under an hour in duration, entire tournaments can be played in a matter of a few days. This turnaround makes the game ideal for betting because you can easily catch several games being played in a single day.
The major bookies for futsal betting are all represented here. The markets are varied and interesting too. There are outright bets, totals bets, and handicaps too. The range is excellent, and the sector is very lively, with tips and odds to suit your style.
Many sites also offer Futsal live streaming options. Futsal betting may not be famous in the way other sports betting is, but it’s no less exciting, and the rewards can be every bit as good with the right odds.
- Match winner Self-explanatory. You choose the side you think will win. Look at the odds being offered carefully. The more likely winner will have lower odds than the underdog, but by that token, your winnings will be much greater if you wagered on the weaker team, and they win. A slightly different form of this bet is draw-no-bet, in which your bet is voided, and your wager returned if the fixture ends in a draw. There is a further expansion to his bet, where odds are offered for both teams wins and a draw. Whatever the result, there will be a winner.
- Total goals The bookmaker will offer one set of odds up to a prescribed number of the total goals scored in the match. They will also produce another set for more goals higher than that number. You will need to predict whether there will be more or fewer goals than the specified number to win your bet.
- Game props Props, or proposition bets, have little to do with the final outcome of an event. Different Futsal betting sites will offer a variety of props during a game. These could be the first player to score, longest pass, most corners, most fouls, penalties, etc. Some futsal betting sites permit live betting during the games, and the odds will always be changing as the game progresses. A few sites also feature live-streaming of games, with in-play bettors in mind.
- Tournament winner Generally a long term bet, you must bet on the overall winner of a tournament or campaign. This bet is usually placed before the commencement of the tournament, although some bookmakers do allow bets during the series at lower odds. Most sites will allow other bets, like runner-up, top 4, etc., as well as first-round group winner, teams progressing, top goalscorer, the man of the match, and many other variables. With as many as 48 matches plated, there is plenty to whet your appetite.
Why bet on Futsal?
Why should you bet on Futsal? Take a look at some of the pros and cons.
- Pros
- Futsal is a fast-growing international sport, and more bookmakers are becoming involved with it all the time, so your available choice of Futsal betting sites is always growing.
- Futsal is similar to soccer, so those familiar with the latter will easily understand the betting procedures and terms. Many of the betting markets are the same for both sports.
- The game is not as complicated as some sports, such as NFL or cricket. For that reason, there are fewer variables to consider, making betting choices easier.
- Cons
- Many bookmakers offer Futsal betting on their websites but quite often have no events on offer, despite matches being played.
- Futsal is not as popular on betting sites as some other sports.
- News and information on the sport are not readily available on mainstream media.
Important Factors to Consider
Approaching your betting wisely is good practice. A little research can go a long way. Let’s look at some tips. In addition, you can check our futsal betting guide for more details.
The odds offered are a good indication of how strong a team is. Backing a winning team will give less in terms of winnings vs bet, but your chance of winning something back is always higher. As a beginner, we advise backing the stronger teams until you have more of a feel for that particular league or tournament.
We did mention that Futsal is not widely covered by the general media; so visit some dedicated Futsal sites to keep up with the latest news regarding form, predictions, and team information. Look for information on the FIA (the governing body) site. Search for sports magazine sites that publish the latest news on Futsal. The relevant local administering authorities, and the futsal clubs themselves, will also provide information and media releases on their websites and social media.
The goalkeeper in soccer is an important member of the team. In Futsal, the goalie is twice as important. With fewer players on a smaller field, the keeper works harder. Look for a goalie that impresses you, and research what his goals conceded per game figures are. The lower that figure, the fewer games the team is likely to have lost.
An injured key player can be a major headache, particularly in a team of only 5 players. Keep up to date with the latest news on player injuries, individual lack of form, or suspensions. Look out for players that are about to return from recovery, as they could boost a team’s recent form.
The majority of bookies do allow in-play betting. There are usually several markets to choose from, and the odds are changing all the time. More sites are now offering Futsal live streaming, so you can follow the game and adjust your bets accordingly as it progresses.
Futsal Facts and History
The name of the game derives from Spanish and Portuguese. It roughly translates as Indoor Football, orSalon Football. The game began in the early 1930s in Uruguay, and the first rulebook appeared in 1933. It was started as a form of soccer that could be played on basketball courts.
The game was devised by Juan Carlos Ceriani in the city of Montevideo, with the intention of providing it as an activity for boys at the YMCAs around the city. In part, the game owes its structure to the fact that some of these centres already had functioning basketball courts. This meant it could be played with existing facilities at no additional cost.
Once established, the game rocketed in popularity and quickly became a serious fixture around the world. In South America (especially Brazil), the game is even credited with creating the style of play demonstrated by national players in the larger game of soccer and with the global successes of those teams.
Futsal is currently played in all parts of the world, with serious competitions being staged in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australasia.
The first formal competitions were held in South America, with Paraguay clinching the South American Cup title in 1965. Several regional governing bodies sprang up during the 1980s, but overall governance was finally integrated into FIFA in 1989.
Over the years, Futsal has also become a big part of the international gambling scene, with most major sportsbooks getting in on the action. Particularly online, there’s been a surge in activity around Futsal betting, and it seems to be going from strength to strength.
Conclusion
While it is not as well-known as soccer, the sport of Futsal has been gaining ground around the world. The way it’s played makes it one of the most fast-paced and action-packed games around. Futsal betting is likewise taking off, and it doesn’t take a lot to find sites offering Futsal online and even Futsal free bets.
In every way you look at the sport, there’s an opportunity for the person who fancies a little wager, now and then. The short game time, the high-scoring halves, and many other aspects make it a fantastic sport for the gambler.
FAQs
How to bet on Futsal matches?
It’s really easy. Whichever site you usually use for sports betting, they’re likely to have some Futsal betting markets on offer.
Is Futsal betting profitable?
Just as with other sports, it depends on the bet itself. Some bets will offer smaller odds, and other bets will take the roof off. You decide for yourself.
What is the difference between Futsal and soccer?
Futsal has fewer players, and the game is played in a smaller area. Along with a few minor rule changes, that’s the difference between them.
Is Futsal basically indoor soccer?
No. Indoor soccer differs from both regular soccer and Futsal. They’re distinct types of game, despite having many similarities.
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