1. What is 1st Half – Total Goals?
In football betting, 1st Half – Total Goals focuses only on goals scored during the first 45 minutes of the match (before halftime). It ignores the second half entirely.
You are betting on how many goals will be scored in the first half, usually in formats like:
- Over/Under goals:
- Example: Over 1.5 goals → 2 or more goals in the first half wins.
- Under 1.5 goals → 0 or 1 goal in the first half wins.
- Exact goals:
- Betting on exactly 0, 1, 2, or 3+ goals in the first half.
- Odd/Even goals:
- Betting whether the total goals in the first half will be an odd or even number.
2. How it works – Example with a Team
Let’s take Liverpool vs. Manchester City as an example.
- You see a 1st Half Total Goals market:
- Over 1.5
- Under 1.5
- Scenario A: First half ends 1-1 → Total goals = 2
- Over 1.5 → Wins
- Under 1.5 → Loses
- Scenario B: First half ends 0-0 → Total goals = 0
- Over 1.5 → Loses
- Under 1.5 → Wins
- Scenario C: First half ends 2-0 → Total goals = 2
- Over 1.5 → Wins
- Under 1.5 → Loses
Notice: Only first-half goals count, not the final score.
3. Factors to Consider Before Betting
- Team’s first-half scoring pattern
- Example: Liverpool often scores early in matches. If they face a weaker team, Over 1.5 first-half goals is more likely.
- Opponent’s defensive strength
- Manchester City has a strong defense; if they play conservatively in the first half, Under 1.5 may be safer.
- Head-to-head history
- Check past meetings: do both teams often score early goals?
- Home/Away performance
- Some teams score early at home but struggle away.
- Lineup news
- Missing key attackers or defenders can change first-half goal expectations.
4. Example Bets
| Match | Bet | Result | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool vs Man City | 1H Over 1.5 | 1-1 at HT | Win |
| Arsenal vs Chelsea | 1H Under 1.5 | 0-0 at HT | Win |
| Bayern vs Dortmund | 1H Over 2.5 | 2-1 at HT | Lose |
5. Betting Tips
- Check first-half goal averages
- Look for teams averaging 1+ goals in the first half.
- Avoid high-risk matches
- Derbies or defensive teams often have fewer first-half goals.
- Use live betting
- If first 20 minutes have no goals, Under 1.5 can be safer.
- Combine stats with form
- Recent scoring streaks + attacking lineup increases probability of Over 1.5.
- Consider smaller leagues
- First-half goal markets can be volatile; smaller leagues often have late first-half goals.