In soccer (football) sports betting, “(-4)” is a handicap bet. This type of bet is used when one team is heavily favored to win, and the bookmaker applies a negative handicap to make the odds more balanced.
What Does (-4) Mean?
If you bet on a team with a -4 handicap, it means that team must win by more than 4 goals for your bet to win.
- If the team wins by exactly 4 goals → Bet is refunded (called a “push”).
- If the team wins by 5 or more goals → Bet wins.
- If the team wins by 3 goals or less, draws, or loses → Bet loses.
Example:
Match:
Manchester City (-4) vs Sheffield United (+4)
You bet ₦10,000 on Manchester City -4
Final Scores & Bet Outcomes:
| Final Score | Man City Goals – 4 | Result | Bet Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Man City 6 – 1 Sheffield | 6 – 4 = 2 | Win by 5 goals | You Win |
| Man City 5 – 1 Sheffield | 5 – 4 = 1 | Win by 4 goals | Push (Refund) |
| Man City 4 – 1 Sheffield | 4 – 4 = 0 | Win by 3 goals | You Lose |
| Man City 2 – 1 Sheffield | 2 – 4 = -2 | Win by 1 goal | You Lose |
| Draw or Man City loses | You Lose |
Why Use Handicap (-4)?
Bookmakers use handicap bets like (-4) to offer better odds when one team is far superior to the other. Instead of offering very low odds on the favorite, they level the playing field with the handicap.
Tips
Only bet -4 if you strongly believe the favored team will completely dominate and score many goals — usually in cup games against very weak opposition.
Let me know if you want the opposite side explained (e.g. +4 handicap) or a real match breakdown.
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