What does over 2.5 goals mean?

An over 2.5 goals bet wins when the two teams score three goals or more between them. The half goal is there so that no score can land exactly on the line: a match has two goals or three goals, never two and a half.

Scores that win and scores that lose

2-1, 3-0, 2-2 and 4-1 win. 0-0, 1-0, 1-1 and 2-0 lose. Who wins the match does not matter.

Which part of the match counts

Bookmakers settle the bet on 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Goals in extra time and penalty shoot-outs do not count, which matters in cup matches.

Other lines on the same idea

Over 1.5 goals needs two goals and pays less. Over 3.5 goals needs four goals and pays more. Under 2.5 goals is the opposite side of the same bet.

How often it happens

It depends on the league. Our league ranking counts the matches with three goals or more in 238 leagues, from 30,349 finished matches this season.