Highest Scoring Half Meaning in Soccer
Juventus
Manchester City
Wydad AC
Al Ain
FS Jelgava
Rīgas FS
BFC Daugavpils
Grobiņa
Saburtalo
Dila
Yunnan Yukun
Henan Jianye
SHANGHAI SIPG
Dalian ZhixingIn simple terms, the highest-scoring half market lets you predict whether the first or second half of a game will have more goals. While it could be a prolific option, it is usually overlooked by bettors. The main reason for that is that it requires you to analyse trends.
However, if you are open to digging up some info before you place a bet, this could be the perfect fit for your needs. Should you wish to learn more, our guide makes everything clear as a bell—give it a read!
What is Highest Scoring Half in Betting + Example
As we said, the highest scoring half is a soccer betting market that lets you make soccer predictions today and bet on which half of the game will result in more goals. In many bookies, there is also an option for an “Equal” result, meaning that you expect both halves to have the same number of goals.
But enough with the theory, let’s cut to the chase and see some highest scoring half examples:
- Final Score: 3-1;
- First half: 0-1;
- Second half: 3-0.
The second half had more goals (3 vs. 1), so if you bet on the highest scoring half 2nd half, you would win. The same mechanism is also used for first-half soccer betting.
- Final Score: 1-1;
- First half: 1-0;
- Second half: 0-1.
You’ve placed a bet on the highest scoring half Equal meaning you win, because there is 1 goal in both halves.
Best Bookmakers for Highest Scoring Half Predictions
Whether analysing PSL matches or even international fixtures, choosing a reliable online operator is a crucial step. When betting on markets such as the highest-scoring half, you need a reliable bookmaker with high odds, strong live and pre-match statistics features, and a wide variety of markets. If you don’t want to spend too much time wandering around the operators’ websites, we’ve summed up the suitable brands for you.
- Home Team Highest Scoring Half
- Away Team Highest Scoring Half
- Half Goals Compare
- Home Team Highest Scoring Half
- Away Team Highest Scoring Half
- Highest Scoring Half
Highest Scoring Half Strategy and Tips
With the right strategy, and especially in leagues you know well, your chances of winning are tremendously increased. We’ve prepared some highest scoring half tips that can improve your accuracy prediction percentage because we believe that sports betting isn’t just about luck.
Focus on the low-scoring first halves
In the South African PSL, and even in some major European leagues, some teams are usually cautious within the first half of the game. With that said, when you check the stats, you can usually see a trend – if the team you’ve chosen often prefers to be defensive during the first fifteen to twenty minutes, this will inevitably lead to fewer goals before halftime.
Let’s take a look at the Spanish La Liga, which is known as one of the highest scoring leagues. Within season 23/24, the teams scored 1010 goals across 380 matches. However, their first and second half distributions are pretty interesting – 41.1% of the goals were scored within the first 45 minutes, while the rest, 58.9%, were after the break.
When coaches prioritise not conceding goals instead of scoring early in the game, that usually creates an easily visible pattern because that is how some managers prefer to lead their players. However, with more confidence and the proper tactical adjustments and substitutions in the second half, that defensive play can be traded for a more aggressive style. That could be seen even with leading teams such as Liverpool, where the team netted 54 goals after halftime compared to 32 goals in the first part of the game, making it one of the highest scoring teams for the second half.
Take advantage of the local derbies
Derbies are among the most challenging matches for both teams because of the rivalry and emotional stakes involved. In PSL, the “derby atmosphere” can really be felt—teams like Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are playing not only for the three points on the standings table but also for their pride.
With such a tight tactical battle in derbies, teams usually start slow and are very cautious; however, that’s not the case in the second half. With extensive data available for the last Soweto Derby (Kaizer Chiefs vs. Orlando Pirates) matches, we can say that with 21 goals in total, first-half goals were only six, resulting in 76% of the netted goals being scored after the 15-minute break.
Watch for substitutions
Substitutions can have a very dramatic influence on the flow of the game and the final result. Here in South Africa, it is not unusual for coaches to start making substitutions deep into the second half—the average time of the first substitution is the 58th minute.
Since there is a fresh new energy on the field, for bettors this means goal-scoring opportunities and more dynamic play. Analysing substitution statistics can provide you with valuable insights, especially if you are focused on the highest scoring half market.
Squad depth
Squad depth plays a critical role in determining the teams’ ability to increase the pressure and maintain it for the whole 90 minutes. Teams with strong benches can rotate without sacrificing quality and attacking power, which is especially important late in the game when fatigue starts to kick in.
Clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns, for instance, have a deep roster and can produce great performances even if significant players are injured. On the contrary, there are many thinner squads that struggle to keep the tempo up if one of their key figures is missing. If you take that information into consideration, this is easily among the best highest scoring half tips today.
Factor the conditions
The weather conditions can heavily influence the final result of the game, especially here in South Africa, where we have occasional heatwaves. And in addition, some stadiums are built at high altitudes. However, we are not speaking only about the weather conditions; if you want to monitor the teams closely, you probably should know their schedule well. This way, you can address some fatigue caused by travel (we all know that South African infrastructure isn’t perfect), pitch quality, etc.
Poor conditions, such as dusty pitch or intense heat, can be pretty exhausting for the players, which means your highest scoring half prediction should be for a busier first half and quieter second half, where everyone is on the verge of their power.
Highest Scoring Half Market Alternatives
If you are exploring alternatives to the highest scoring half market, there are several options similar to that. Especially when you’ve studied the team patterns, you wanna grab the chance to use that information to your advantage. Some of the markets that can be used as an alternative to highest scoring half are:
- Halftime/Full-time;
- Both teams to score in the 1st/2nd half;
- Team to score last;
- 1st/2nd half Over/Under Goals.
These markets are great alternatives, especially if you want to reduce the risk over high payout potential.
