1st half stats and 2nd half stats let you bet on goals and winners in each half separately. The first half lasts 45 minutes, without stoppage time, and ends with the half time break. After about 15 minutes the teams come back for the second 45. Simple enough. But the two halves can look like two different matches, and that’s why these markets are worth a closer look.
1st and 2nd half bet types
Below are the most popular markets for the first and second half of the match:
First Half Under X.5:
- Under 0.5 Goals - win if no goals are scored in the first half
- Under 1.5 Goals - win if 0 or 1 goal is scored in the first half
- Under 2.5 Goals - win if 0, 1 or 2 goals are scored in the first half
- Under 3.5 Goals - win if 0, 1, 2 or 3 goals are scored in the first half
First Half Over X.5:
- Over 0.5 Goals - win if at least one goal is scored in the first half
- Over 1.5 Goals - win if at least 2 goals are scored in the first half
- Over 2.5 Goals - win if 3 or more goals are scored in the first half
- Over 3.5 Goals - win if 0, 1, 2 or 3 goals are scored in the first half 4 or more goals will be scored in the first half
Second Half Under X.5:
- Under 0.5 Goals - Win if no goals are scored in the second half
- Under 1.5 Goals - Win if 0 or 1 goal is scored in the second half
- Under 2.5 Goals - Win if 0, 1, or 2 goals are scored in the second half
- Under 3.5 Goals - Win if 0, 1, 2, or 3 goals are scored in the second half
Second Half Over X.5:
- Over 0.5 Goals - Win if at least one goal is scored in the second half
- Over 1.5 Goals - Win if at least 2 goals are scored in the second half
- Over 2.5 Goals - Win if 3 or more goals are scored in the second half
- Over 3.5 Goals - Win if 4 or more goals are scored in the second half
Highest scoring half
A related market is the highest scoring half. You choose between the first half, the second half, or a tie (the same number of goals). It’s a market where the draw option is sometimes underrated, because 0-0 at half time with 0-0 in the second half is a draw on this market too. I’ve lost a bet on that, and I try to remember it every time now.
First half and second half winner
You can also bet on who wins a half, a first half winner or second half winner. The result of each half is treated as a separate match, so a team can lose the match and still win a half. It pays more than the standard result, and it works well for teams that are strong at the start or finish games better. If you like the combination of both halves, our HT/FT stats show how teams do at half time and full time.
For the full-match result, see the 1X2 stats, and compare how often a team wins each half.
Team goals in halves
A team’s goals per half are another useful stat. Some sides score most of their goals before half time. Others only wake up after the break, which is usually a sign of fitness or of a coach who changes the plan at half time. Check the top goalscorers to see which players usually score early or late.
What affects goals in each half
A few things change the picture:
- Style of play - high pressing teams score early. Counter-attacking teams often score later, when the space opens up
- The first goal - a goal in the first 15 minutes changes how both teams play
- Match importance - in cup ties and tense league games, the first half is often cautious
- Substitutions and fitness - fresh legs in the second half can break a defence
- Weather and pitch - a heavy pitch tires players and slows the game
- Quality of chances - check expected goals and shots on goal for each half if your source has them
You can also compare possession statistics and corner kick stats, because pressure in the first 45 minutes often leads to more corners.
How to use 1st and 2nd half stats
I’d say there are no magic rules here, but a few habits help:
- Look at both halves of both teams. Home and away splits matter
- Use the last 5 or 6 matches, not only the season. A change of coach or a long injury list can switch a team’s profile
- Compare with over/under for the full match. Our over/under stats are a good starting point. A team with many over 2.5 matches doesn’t always score in the first half
- Check BTTS. A match where both teams score often has goals in both halves, see our BTTS stats. And a clean sheet in the first half, see the clean sheet stats, can mean one team is waiting for the second
- Watch the referee. Some referees add a lot of time, which means more late goals. See the referee stats and cards statistics
