Incentive to score
Incentive to score is a key element of a football match.
This can be present in any football match, but is typically dominant in knockout tournament or where a particular result is required. So it could also apply to matches where a result is needed be to avoid relegation, to reach fourth spot in the league or qualify for the next round of a tournament or something similar.
Some teams will have a big incentive to score, others to not lose and others no incentive to do anything at all. The permutations can often be endless but thankfully most websites will give you a nice summary of what needs to happen so you don’t have to think much about it. Early group stages in a tournament can be tepid affairs, but the later matches often set off some fireworks.
In these situations you should always check out incentive to score and what each team needs to do to progress. Double check team sheets as they come out and be prepared to go against the prevailing wisdom to catch some big potential. The rewards are so high for progression to the knockout stage, anything can and does happen.
Any early goal in the ‘wrong’ direction can significantly increase the incentive to score and these are the matches that can throw of some of the best trading characteristics. As the match pushes to its conclusion, teams will often adopt an all or nothing approach to scoring and this can produce some good potential for short odds to get overturned or for a flurry goals to produce some unexpected outcomes.
It’s fun way to enjoy the drama of some of these types of matches and hopefully bag a bit of profit. Let’s hope we enjoy tonight!
Category: Football trading strategies, Trading strategies
