Forecasting soccer matches with betting odds: A tale of two markets

B-Tier
Journal: International Journal of Forecasting
Year: 2025
Volume: 41
Issue: 2
Pages: 803-820

Authors (2)

Hegarty, Tadgh (not in RePEc) Whelan, Karl (University College Dublin)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We compare the properties of betting market odds set in two distinct markets for a large sample of European soccer matches. We confirm inefficiencies in the traditional market for bets on a home win, an away win, or a draw, as found in previous studies such as Angelini and De Angelis (2019). In particular, there is a strong pattern of favourite–longshot bias. Conversely, we document how a betting market that has emerged in recent years, the Asian handicap market, can generate efficient forecasts for the same set of matches using a new methodology for mapping its odds into probabilities.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:intfor:v:41:y:2025:i:2:p:803-820
Journal Field
Econometrics
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29