Over/under betting explained
An over/under bet, also called a totals bet, is a bet on whether the combined score finishes above or below a line set by the bookmaker. BetFTW publishes totals picks in football (2.5 goals), ice hockey (5.5 goals), basketball (total points) and tennis (total sets). In the 12 months to 30 October 2026, it settled 19,776 football over/under picks with a +2.6% Kelly-weighted yield.
How the line works
The line is the number the total is measured against. With a half-point line such as 2.5 goals, there is no tie: two goals or fewer wins an under bet, three or more wins an over bet. Whole-number lines can land exactly on the total, and most bookmakers then return the stake. Football and ice hockey picks on BetFTW use fixed lines of 2.5 and 5.5 goals; basketball and tennis lines are set per game.
How totals settle
BetFTW settles ice hockey picks on the score after regulation time, so overtime and shootout goals do not count. Bookmakers' rules for football and basketball totals vary, for example on extra time and overtime, so check the rules of the bookmaker you use before you bet.
Goals by league
Finished matches BetFTW recorded in the 12 months to 30 October 2026. BetFTW records the matches its probability sources cover, which may not be every match in a league.
| League | Matches | Average goals | Over 2.5 goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England Premier League | 366 | 2.76 | 53.6% |
| Spain La Liga | 379 | 2.80 | 52.5% |
| Italy Serie A | 363 | 2.63 | 50.7% |
| Germany Bundesliga | 298 | 3.29 | 65.4% |
| France Ligue 1 | 275 | 2.79 | 53.8% |
| Europe Champions League | 242 | 3.45 | 64.0% |
| Kenya Premier League | 120 | 1.93 | 30.8% |
| Nigeria Premier League | 265 | 2.16 | 38.9% |
| South Africa Premier League | 130 | 2.32 | 38.5% |
| Ghana Premier League | 168 | 1.98 | 34.5% |
BetFTW totals picks by sport
Picks settled in the 12 months to 30 October 2026, at the best recorded odds and the recommended Kelly-derived stakes.
| Market | Settled picks | Hit rate | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Football over/under 2.5 goals | 19,776 | 51.8% | +2.6% |
| Ice Hockey over/under 5.5 goals | 3,359 | 49.4% | +7.0% |
| Basketball over/under | 4,994 | 51.6% | +2.0% |
| Tennis total sets | 1,447 | 38.5% | +0.7% |