How to read football betting odds

Odds tell you two things: how much a bet pays, and how likely the bookmaker thinks the outcome is. Once you can turn odds into a percentage, it is much easier to judge a bet.

Decimal odds

Decimal odds show the total return for each unit staked, including your stake. At 2.50, a stake of 10 returns 25, which is 15 profit plus your 10 back. To turn decimal odds into a percentage, divide 1 by the odds. Odds of 2.50 imply a 40% chance.

Fractional odds

Fractional odds show only the profit. At 6/4, you win 6 for every 4 staked. To convert to decimal, divide the fraction and add 1: 6 divided by 4 is 1.5, plus 1 is 2.50.

Why the percentages add up to more than 100%

Convert all three outcomes of a match and the total is usually above 100%. That extra is the bookmaker's margin. For example, odds of 2.00, 3.40 and 3.80 imply 50%, 29% and 26%, which adds up to 105%.

Using this on our site

Every pick here shows a probability and fair odds. Compare those with the price on offer. If the odds you can get are shorter than the fair odds, the model thinks you are being underpaid.