What “Away (-1.5)” Means in Football Betting
When you see Away (-1.5) (also written as Away -1.5 handicap), it means the away team starts the match with a 1.5 goal disadvantage.
To win your bet, the away team must win by at least 2 goals.
If they only win by 1 goal, draw, or lose, your bet loses.
How the Handicap Works
| Result (Actual Score) | Handicap Applied | Handicap Result | Bet Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Away wins by 2+ goals | Away (-1.5) → subtract 1.5 goals | Away still wins | Win |
| Away wins by 1 goal | Subtract 1.5 → Away loses by 0.5 | Lose | |
| Draw | Subtract 1.5 → Away loses by 1.5 | Lose | |
| Away loses | Subtract 1.5 → Bigger loss | Lose |
Example with Real Teams
Let’s say there’s a Premier League match:
Manchester City (Away) vs. Burnley (Home)
You bet on Manchester City -1.5.
- If Man City win 3–0,
→ subtract 1.5 goals (3 – 1.5 = 1.5).
Bet wins because City still lead. - If Man City win 2–1,
→ subtract 1.5 goals (2 – 1.5 = 0.5 vs. 1).
Bet loses because City “lose” on the handicap. - If the match ends 1–1 or Burnley win,
Bet loses outright.
So basically, you’re backing Man City to win by at least 2 clear goals.
Another Example: Champions League
Real Madrid (-1.5) vs Celtic (Away)
- If Real Madrid win 3–1 → Win
- If Real Madrid win 2–1 → Lose
- If 1–1 draw → Lose
This bet works great for dominant away teams who are likely to crush weaker opponents.
Betting Tips for Away (-1.5)
1. Choose Strong Away Teams
Pick clubs with high-scoring power and strong away records, e.g.
Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, etc.
They often win by 2+ goals even away from home.
2. Avoid Tight or Defensive Fixtures
Don’t use this bet when:
- The away side faces a tough defensive team (like Atletico Madrid or Burnley).
- Weather or pitch conditions might reduce goals.
- The away team just needs a small win (e.g., second leg of a knockout).
3. Check Motivation
Away (-1.5) works best when the favorite needs goals — for example,
- chasing goal difference,
- recovering from a first-leg loss, or
- playing against a relegation-threatened side that defends poorly.
4. Combine with Live Betting
If the away favorite is dominating early, you can grab better odds for -1.5 live, especially if it’s still 0–0 at 20 minutes.
5. Example Strategy
If Arsenal (-1.5) are away to Sheffield United,
and Arsenal’s away scoring average is 2.4 goals per match
while Sheffield concede 2+ goals often —
then betting on Arsenal -1.5 is statistically favorable.
Summary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Away (-1.5) | Away team must win by 2 or more goals |
| Win Example | 0–2, 1–3, 0–4, etc. |
| Lose Example | 0–1, 1–2, Draw, or Loss |
| Ideal Use | When strong away favorite faces weaker host |