Fixed Matches in Football: What They Are and 17 Ways Bettors Try to Spot Them

What are Fixed Matches?

Fixed matches are games in which the players, referees, or other insiders illicitly manipulate the outcome (or specific events within the game) on purpose. In other words, the match’s result isn’t left to genuine sporting competition. In other words, it has been arranged in advance for some advantage. Also referred to as Match Fixing, it's a big deal in the sports betting world. For those who bet on football, the idea of a fixed match can be both exciting and concerning.

On one side, knowing the result ahead of time could mean easy money; on the other, it messes with the integrity of the sport they enjoy. Lately, experts have called match-fixing a serious issue, even referring to it as a pandemic in football. This isn’t just a problem in lower leagues; even referees are aware of it.

In fact, 44% of referees surveyed in Belgium think at least 1 in 10 games are fixed. From historic scandals in Europe to modern football betting syndicates in Asia and bribe-taking referees in Africa, match-fixing spans the globe. In this article, we’ll break down what fixed football matches are, why they cause so much controversy, and explore 17 ways bettors say they can find or spot them. These methods vary from solid analysis of betting trends to sketchy tips from paid football tips platform and Telegram groups.

We’ll look at real-life examples from major leagues and lesser-known matches and warn you about scams that target bettors looking for guaranteed wins. People involved in match-fixing can be after gambling winnings, betting on a pre-determined result, or trying to help a certain team move on in a tournament. A common scenario is when a player or referee takes a bribe to ensure their team loses by a specific score, letting those who know about it cash in. Match-fixing is widely seen as a major issue in sports. It cheats honest bettors and fans, and it really undermines the fairness of the game.

Why are fixed matches so Controversial?

Match-fixing is not just illegal in a lot of places; it also destroys trust. When games are rigged, fans feel like they've been cheated. This harms honest bookmakers and bettors financially, and it can damage the reputation of innocent players as well. In response, authorities around the world are stepping up their fight against match-fixing. For instance, FIFA created a task force to tackle this issue back in 2011. Companies like Sportradar and Starlizard keep an eye on things and identify hundreds of suspicious matches every year.

In 2023 alone, there were 1,329 matches worldwide that showed odd betting patterns, with about 66% of them in football. Organized crime is deeply involved, raking in billions of euros from shady bets. Unfortunately, fixers are now targeting lower leagues and less popular competitions, where there's less oversight, instead of the top leagues that are working hard to ensure fairness.

Brief History of Notable Scandals

Match-fixing in football has been around for a long time. It’s been reported for over a hundred years. One notable case happened in the UK in 1964, where a betting operation involved several Football League players, including some who played for England. They got caught betting on their team to lose and ended up getting banned for life. Italy has had its share of scandals too, like the 1980 Totonero case, which led to big clubs like AC Milan and Lazio being dropped a league for fixing matches.

Then there was the 2006 Calciopoli scandal, where people at Juventus were found to be messing with referee assignments. In Germany, there was a shocking incident in 2005 when referee Robert Hoyzer admitted that he took money from a betting ring to rig matches in the DFB-Pokal and lower leagues.

His confession led to several officials and players getting prison time and bans. But it’s not just Europe. In 2013, a Europol investigation called Operation VETO found 380 fixed matches in 15 countries, including World Cup qualifiers and Champions League games. In China, the league was so corrupt in the early 2000s that it led to champions Shanghai Shenhua losing their title and a lot of officials and players getting booted. Africa had its scandals too; in 2004, 19 refs and officials were arrested in South Africa for fixing top matches.

Even on the international scene, ahead of the 2010 World Cup, a convicted fixer from Singapore named Wilson Raj Perumal got involved in arranging friendly matches for South Africa, leading to some suspicious results. It’s clear that match-fixing is a widespread issue, affecting football all over the world. Many see it as the biggest scam in sports gambling, taking advantage of bettors' hopes for easy wins.

Click here to get Today Football Predictions!

Why Bettors Chase Fixed Matches

If you knew the outcome of a match was fixed ahead of time, you could bet on it and make a lot of money without much risk. This idea has led some people to look for info on fixed matches or to watch betting markets for any signs of cheating. There’s even a whole underground scene where people sell 'fixed match tips'—you can find this stuff on sketchy websites, social media, and even the dark web. A lot of it is just scams, but there are actually some signals that real bettors pay attention to, and every now and then, unusual betting activity does reveal a fix. Let’s get into it.

1. Monitoring for Unusual Odds Movements

Integrity experts and savvy bettors often keep a close watch on pre-match betting odds. If the odds for a match outcome shift a lot without a good reason, it can be a warning sign. For instance, say Team A starts off as 5.00 (4/1) underdogs in the morning, but by afternoon, they’ve dropped to 2.00 (evens) with no major news like star player injuries. This drop, often referred to as a plunge, might suggest that people with inside info are betting on Team A, thinking something is up. Normally, odds should reflect real chances based on team performance and news. So when they change suddenly for no clear reason, it raises eyebrows.

A well-known example happened during the Italian Cup in 2000 with a match between Atalanta and Pistoiese. There was a lot of betting on a specific outcome: Atalanta leading 1–0 at half-time and the game ending 1-1. These bets were unusual, and guess what? The match ended 1–1 with Atalanta up at half-time, and it turned out to be fixed. Several players were later found guilty of match-fixing after bookmakers noticed the strange betting patterns and tipped off the authorities.

While suspicious odds movements aren’t always proof of wrongdoing, sometimes they change because of late injuries that are kept under wraps or just heavy speculation they do offer some insight into possible fixes. Savvy bettors often watch betting exchanges and odds comparison sites for any odd shifts, especially in smaller leagues where news spreads slowly. So if you see odds drop suddenly on a less-known match for no clear reason, it could mean someone has insider info or it might just be a coincidence. Better to be cautious.

2. Tracking Unusual Betting Volume on Small Leagues

Betting volume is all about how much cash people are betting. Fixers often go for lower-profile games, like second divisions or youth leagues, because they expect not much action there. They hope their bets will fly under the radar. But if a lot more money than usual starts pouring in on a normally quiet match, that could mean something fishy is happening.

Betting agencies and watchdogs use algorithms to catch these weird patterns. For instance, Australia’s Sports Integrity Unit began looking into some games after noticing strange betting activity. One incident involved a regular A-League match where odd bets, probably on yellow cards, raised flags.

Bettors who like to focus on smaller leagues sometimes point this out: if you see a big bet or a bunch of bets on a low-tier game, it could mean insider info is at play. On betting sites like Paripesa or 1X Bet, if you notice a bet of ₦50,000 on a Mongolian Premier League match that usually only sees a few thousand naira, something's definitely not right.

Odd patterns, like lots of bets on a specific unlikely outcome, can be a red flag too. Bookies have even canceled bets in the past when too many people started betting on a 4-4 draw in an obscure match. If you can see betting volumes from online bookies or exchanges, any sudden jump in activity for no good reason is a clear sign something's up.

3. Surebets and Odd Line Discrepancies.

Some savvy bettors use arbitrage betting, which means betting on both sides of a game at different odds to make a profit, to spot potential fixes. How does it work? When a match might be fixed, insiders might gamble at various bookies, causing the odds to shift a lot. Usually, bookmakers keep their odds pretty close to each other since the market quickly corrects any big gaps. But if one book makes Team X's odds drop due to heavy insider betting, and another book takes longer to update, you might see a temporary arbitrage chance, a sure bet where you can back all outcomes and make a profit without risking anything.

Bettors on the lookout for these unusual odds differences might catch a fix before the other bookmaker catches on. For instance, if Bookmaker A suddenly has Team X at 1.50 odds (maybe because they’re getting a lot of money on Team X), but Bookmaker B still has Team X at 2.50 as underdogs, that’s not normal. It usually means Bookmaker A heard something that Bookmaker B didn’t.

An arbitrage bettor would quickly place a wager on Team X at 2.50 and maybe on the other team at 1.50, locking in a profit. But the bigger question is: Why did Bookmaker A drop their odds? Often, it’s because they got a lot of bets or have some internal alerts about potential fixes. There are firms that keep an eye on these odds shifts among various betting sites to catch such situations. Back in 2010, several Asian bookmakers noticed strange bets and pulled the markets on a Finnish league match, while European bookies didn't realize anything was off.

It turned out that an Asian group had fixed the match, and only the Asian bookmakers picked up on the pattern in time. If you're a bettor monitoring odds, seeing a bookmaker suddenly take down a match or change the odds significantly compared to others can signal something shady is going on. Just keep in mind that these chances are fleeting, and chasing arbitrage on potentially fixed games can be risky; if the match gets canceled or the bookmaker suspects something is wrong, your bet could get voided.

Click here to Convert Bet Codes for Free!

4. Spotting Strange Prop Bets or Score Bets

Fixers don’t just bet on who wins or loses; they often go for more specific bets like exact scores, total goals, or particular events during a game. If you notice a lot of money or odd changes on a bet that seems unlikely, like a big wager on a 5-0 score in a low-stakes match, it should raise some suspicions. There’s a well-known story from lower league games in Asia where a match between two average teams saw a surprising amount of cash bet on over 4.5 goals.

Normally, big bets on high goal counts in unimportant matches are rare, but the odds kept getting better for that bet. The game ended up with a score of 5-0, just as some had anticipated. From an investigator's viewpoint, exact score bets can reveal a lot. In the Atalanta-Pistoiese incident, it was the combo bet (1-0 at half-time, 1-1 full-time) that caught the regulators' attention.

Also, during a fixing scandal in Lebanon back in 2013, officials saw strange bets on certain scorelines and player performances, resulting in 24 player bans. Bettors looking for fixes sometimes check these niche markets for weird patterns, like a sudden spike in bets on a player getting a red card or specific goal intervals. But it’s important to note that bets on things like first throw-ins or odd corner kick totals can be all over the place even without fixing (plus mistakes in data can happen).

When a strange betting pattern pops up in these areas, it often comes up in match-fixing cases. The timing of bets can be telling too; a bunch of bets flooding in just before a game, say on over 3.5 goals, could hint at insider info getting out. Bettors who are part of certain online communities sometimes share football tips, like if heavy money is going on a specific goal count, it might be fixed. While most of us won’t see this firsthand, keeping an eye on odd prop odds adds another piece to the puzzle.

5. Reading In-Play Oddities (Live Betting Clues)

Some bettors think you can spot a fix while a game is going on by keeping an eye on the live odds and what’s happening on the field. In-play betting odds change based on real events in the match. For example, if a team is leading 1-0 at halftime, you'd normally expect their winning odds to go down. But if the odds start getting longer for no clear reason, it might suggest that someone knows the losing team could make a comeback.

There have been cases where the odds for a draw stay unusually low even when one team is ahead late in the game, right before a questionable penalty creates an equalizer. Another clue could be if the market reacts slowly to big plays. If you’re watching on TV and see a big bet on a goal just moments before it actually happens, it could mean someone has inside info. Bettors might also look for signs on the field for anything weird, like players missing easy shots or defenders not caring, while at the same time, the odds for the other team keep getting shorter.

That combo can definitely raise eyebrows. But chasing down fixes through live betting is pretty risky because by the time you notice something’s off, the people behind the fix have already made their bets. Still, it’s a method some gamblers discuss. Basically, if you think you see something, you can bet during the game if you’re feeling brave. Just keep in mind that sometimes what seems like a fix might just be bad luck or oddities in the game.

6. Focusing on Lower Leagues and Friendlies

If you’re on the hunt for fixed matches today, you wouldn’t bother with big leagues like the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League. Those games are watched closely, and the players are well-paid, so there’s too much at stake for them to risk getting involved in fixing. Instead, people who think there are fixes look at the lower levels of football, like small leagues, pre-season friendlies, or youth tournaments.

These places are where match-fixers thrive because there’s not much oversight, and players often make so little that a bribe might be hard to refuse. For example, there have been suspicious matches in places like Vietnam’s second division, Tunisia, and even in Brazil and Mongolia.

These leagues don’t get a lot of attention from international fans, making them ripe for fixers. Bettors looking for fixes often keep an eye on these matches for strange betting patterns. It’s become kind of a joke that if you see odd odds in a Baltic U-21 match or a friendly between a European team and an Asian one, something might be off.

International friendlies, especially right before major tournaments, have also been known targets. Just think back to the South African friendlies in 2010 when referees were bribed. Since friendlies don’t usually affect standings, players and coaches may not care as much, making them easier to manipulate.

In one wild case, someone even set up fake international friendlies with teams pretending to be national sides just to cash in on betting profits. Wilson Raj Perumal confessed to putting together these bogus teams. But here’s the catch for bettors: even if you suspect a low-tier match is fixed and you place a bet, those games can be unpredictable. Sometimes the fix doesn’t work out as planned, or bookmakers might cancel bets altogether if they find out something shady happened.

That’s why many experienced bettors steer clear of or limit their bets on these obscure matches; they either suspect foul play or just want to be cautious. On the flip side, some people jump right in, eager to find the next rigged game, whether it’s in the Kuwaiti Under-19 league or some random friendly match.

Click here to Receive your Bonus!

7. Keeping Tabs on Known Fixers and Syndicates

A few match-fixing leaders have been around for the last twenty years, and their reach is global. Some bettors keep an eye on news about these people, thinking that if a fixer is active in an area, the matches there might be rigged. Wilson Raj Perumal, a fixer from Singapore, is a well-known name. He has claimed to fix hundreds of matches all over the world, from helping Nigeria and Honduras qualify for the 2010 World Cup to messing with league games in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Another figure is Dan Tan, also from Singapore, who is said to have run a big operation that affected matches in various countries. There are also groups from places like the Balkans, Russia, and Italy, often linked to events like the Bochum case in Germany or the Kelong syndicates in Asia.

While serious bettors may not have direct contacts with these criminals, they pay attention to the impact of their actions. Some even track the movements of players and referees known to be connected to fixers. For example, if a referee with a past fixing scandal gets a new job in another country, skeptical bettors might think any game he officiates could be risky.

This approach is all about understanding the players in match-fixing and being alert when their involvement might be suspected. It adds a human touch to betting, but the downside is that real fixers work in the shadows; they don't announce their plans. So, it often comes down to educated guesses and sometimes wild theories among bettors.

8. Watching for Referee Red Flags

If you talk to those in the know about fixing games, they'll tell you that a big part of it comes down to the referee. A referee who's not on the level can mess with a game in a big way by giving out questionable penalties or red cards, or by counting or disallowing goals for strange reasons. Bettors often keep an eye out for games where the ref looks like they might be involved in something shady.

One way to figure this out is by checking out the ref's past. For example, there's Ibrahim Chaibou from Niger, who got a bad name for handing out a crazy number of penalties in friendly matches, like that bizarre handball call in the Nigeria-Argentina game.

He was later tied to match-fixing claims. So if a bettor saw Chaibou was in charge of a friendly, they might think betting on a lot of goals, especially from penalties, could be a smart move. Many of his games ended up scoring exactly what the fixers might want. Bettors also pay attention to how the ref is acting during a game: Are the calls one-sided? Does a penalty or card seem off?

Take the 1975 European Cup final where Leeds United fans believe the ref was fixed after he disallowed a perfectly fine goal and ignored two clear penalties. Even though this claim hasn’t been proven, it shows how much a ref can change the outcome of a match.

If bettors notice a ref making odd decisions, they might adjust their bets in real time, like backing the team getting all those favorable calls. In domestic leagues, some refs pop up often in games that raise eyebrows. It could just be a fluke, or it might hint at something fishy. While bettors usually can’t dig up insider info on refs, they swap stories about refs who seem to add unnecessary extra time or those handing out way too many penalties.

Nowadays, some websites even track referee stats. If a ref is handing out penalties or cards way more than normal, bettors are definitely keeping an eye on that. All in all, while players are the ones on the field, the ref can be key for fixers, and bettors looking for shady plays are watching how he handles the game closely.

9. Focusing on Player Behavior and On-Field Signals

Some seasoned fans think you can spot a match-fixing situation by watching how players act during the game. Are players making strange mistakes at crucial times? Is the goalkeeper diving the wrong way every time? Are defenders slipping right when the opponent scores? While it’s normal for a team to have a bad game, consistent mistakes can raise eyebrows. For instance, in a scandal years ago in a Malaysian league, video showed defenders barely moving as opponents scored, which hinted they might have been paid to lose.

Bettors who suspect something shady might tune into a live game or catch the highlights to look for these signs. If they notice the away team’s striker being oddly chill about missing easy goals or a usually feisty team playing flat, they might think there’s a fix for that game. A classic clue is when both teams seem okay with a draw, just passing the ball around without much effort, although that can happen naturally too.

But in league matches, if neither team pushes for a win like they usually would, rumors of a planned result start circulating. Another hint could be players glancing at the clock a lot or communicating strangely after certain plays, perhaps checking if they're sticking to a game plan.

It’s important to remember that reading players' actions can be tricky. Not every bad play means it’s intentional, and an easy game doesn’t always mean fixing is going on. Yet, some fixed matches become obvious later on. A well-known example is a 2013 match in Italy’s second division where one team desperately needed a win, and the other team’s defenders hardly tried to stop them; it was so blatant that bettors made big bets on the exact outcome, and it turned out there was indeed a fix.

Some bettors even go to games in person to notice unusual behaviors or body language, like a player smirking after a mistake or teammates not arguing over clear errors. While most fixes try to be low-key, not everyone is a great actor.

If you think you see a fix happening, some bettors might jump in, maybe betting the over if defenders aren’t putting in the effort. Just be careful; it’s easy to read too much into it and see signs of fixing that aren’t really there. Many people scream “fix” just because their team played badly or because of a bad refereeing call.

Still, when you put together things like weird odds with what you see on the field, it can sometimes paint a clearer picture. Some bettors really enjoy this part of the game, almost like detectives keeping an eye on a crime scene as it unfolds.

10. Seeking Insider Information from Players or Staff

This is the dream scenario for any bettor: getting a tip straight from someone involved in the game. In the past, some big match-fixing scandals involved bettors who paid players to influence the outcome before betting on those games. A famous example is the 1964 British betting scandal, driven by a guy named Jimmy Gauld, who got players to help him ensure certain results so he and his friends could profit by betting against those teams.

Most honest bettors wouldn’t go that far, but there are some gray areas. You might know a friend in a lower league who hints that some teammates are planning to throw the next match or hear from an insider that the team was paid to lose a cup game. Even if there’s no active fixing, team insiders sometimes leak info about who’s available to play, which can sway the outcome in ways only they know.

In some notorious cases, players have even bet on their games after making sure of the result. There have been situations where players knew what was going to happen and committed a foul on purpose while their friends placed bets on them getting carded for a big payout.

If you overheard one of those players discussing their plan, you could have made a lot of money betting on those card markets beforehand. Most of us don’t have direct connections to players or refs. Still, there’s a whole network of so-called insider football tips. Some of these networks are scams, but sometimes genuine info comes through.

There are even whistleblower stories out there, telling how players in some countries have been approached by fixers. A few brave souls have turned down bribes and shared their experiences publicly.

If a bettor knew a team had turned down a bribe, they might be more cautious or look for fixes on that team’s future matches. Chasing insider info is like looking for the holy grail in finding fixed matches, very hard to find legally but reliable if you do. Engaging in fixes is highly risky and illegal, and the average bettor should steer clear of bribing anyone.

Still, paying attention to credible rumors from club circles can pay off occasionally. Just remember, for every genuine insider tip, there are a hundred fake ones trying to trick the unsuspecting.

Click here to Receive 150% Bonus NOW!

11. Following Tipster Websites Claiming Fixed Matches

If you do a quick search for fixed match betting tips, you'll find lots of websites claiming they can guarantee you winning bets, often for a pretty steep price. They'll throw around phrases like 100% sure fixed odds or VIP fixed matches this weekend. It’s easy to see how someone who really wants to win might get tempted into buying these tips.

But honestly, most of these services are scams. They play on the desire for certainty and usually keep their methods under wraps to avoid being caught. A common trick they use is the 100-30-10 scam. Basically, the scammer gives different football predictions to different groups.

Imagine 100 people split into three, one group gets Team A, another gets a draw, and the last gets Team B. No matter the outcome, at least one group will think the scammer was right. They then focus on the winners, convincing them they really have inside info, which leads to those folks paying big money for more tips, only to find out the scammer disappears or the tips fail.

There are some legit sources that might talk about match-fixing or suspicious matches after they happen, but no real insider is going to be advertising fixed results openly online. These scam sites often fake testimonials and use edited screenshots of big wins that aren’t real.

They even have fake reviews from people claiming they hit the jackpot with their football tips, which are usually totally made up. The goal is to trick people into sending money for inside info. Some even run on a subscription model, taking money monthly from their victims.

Experienced bettors steer clear of these scams, but newcomers often fall for them. If you’re thinking about paying for a so-called sure match, just remember: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. The only ones making real money are the scammers selling these tips.

12. Joining Social Media & Telegram Groups for Fixed Tips

These days, with apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and Twitter, a lot of people trying to make money have shifted from just having basic websites to setting up interactive groups. You might come across comments on sports posts saying things like “I have info on today’s fixed game, DM me” or get invited to Telegram channels claiming they have “sure 5 odds fixed.”

Many bettors are joining these groups, hoping to get some kind of advantage. What usually happens is that the group admins tease members with a few free tips or snapshots of big wins before asking for cash to join a special inner circle. Investigations into these groups show that they are filled with scams.

The tips aren't really reliable; they’re often just random guesses that don’t win regularly. These groups keep going by sharing fake proof of winning picks and using clever tricks to make it look legit. For those who don’t know better, it seems like real proof that their football predictions were spot on. But it’s all made up.

Social media has also led to the rise of fake insiders claiming to be ex-players, referees, or connected bookies selling tips. They’ll often flaunt fancy lifestyles, which could be fake or rented, claiming they got rich from fixed matches and can help you do the same for a fee.

Sites like Instagram and Facebook have had to shut down many of these accounts. There are tons of horror stories on Reddit from bettors who paid for tips from Telegram sellers and got nothing useful. There’s hardly any transparency or accountability. If there really were any legitimate fixes, they'd be shared within a select few to keep things under wraps, not broadcast to thousands of strangers.

So, our advice is clear: treat any social media or chat group talking about fixed matches as almost definitely a scam. You can enjoy the discussions, but keep your money safe.

13. Scouring the Dark Web and Betting Forums

For those who know their way around technology and are willing to take risks, the dark web has a mysterious draw, seen by some as a place to find real info on fixed matches. Some users even set up shop as betting exchanges or marketplaces for rigged games, offering different plans like Basic, Premium, and Deluxe, where people can pay in Bitcoin for one fixed score or several matches.

On various forums, folks chat about and even sell these fixed matches. It’s all part of an illegal market. So in reality, the dark web isn't this hidden goldmine of certain wins; it's just another area filled with scams and guesswork.

One interesting overlap between the dark web and match-fixing is the idea of “ghost matches.” These are games listed on betting sites that never actually took place. It's a total scam where fixers exploit bookies who depend on third-party data.

There was a shocking incident in 2014 involving a fake game in the Ukrainian reserve league, where bookmakers accepted bets until it was revealed to be a hoax. Some dark web users even claim to sell lists of upcoming ghost games, but it's all part of the shady side of gambling.

14. Using Data Analysis and AI to Flag Fixes

You can't ignore the numbers. Some players who love data are trying to figure out if match-fixing is going on, mimicking what some companies do with their fraud detection tools, just on a smaller scale. They look at a lot of past games to find strange patterns. For example, if a team suddenly plays way worse than expected in certain games, it might mean they're not putting in the effort. They also check for odd stats, like low running distances or a bunch of missed shots in games that later raised suspicions.

Some folks are using machine learning to compare matches that are confirmed as fixed with regular ones. They look at things like “average goal chances vs. goals scored” or how football betting odds line up with the actual outcomes to see if a match seems fishy. Bettors who know how to code have been gathering betting odds data from various sources to spot any weird changes.

Others look for patterns, like a certain referee always showing up in matches that go over with last-minute goals, that could be a warning sign. While this kind of analysis is pretty complicated and not really for the average bettor, there are easier ways to keep track.

For instance, you could check databases that list suspicious matches. If a team's name pops up a lot, that could be telling. If you find out Team X had five suspicious matches last season, you might want to think twice before betting on their games or even throw some money at wild outcomes if you feel they might be involved in fixing again. AI and big data are also being used to catch social media chatter about suspicious bets.

Some companies watch online chats and social media for spikes in phrases like “fixed match” linked to a team, almost like they’re eavesdropping on insider gossip. As a solo bettor, you might not have those resources, but following smaller groups could help you catch if multiple people are pointing to a game as shady.

In the end, this approach is more for betting groups and investigators than casual punters. Unless you're a data whiz, you’ll probably be relying on what others have found out. The good news is, the more these odd patterns are spotted, the more they can be shared, possibly warning other bettors and stopping some fixes.

Get Free Football Predictions NOW!

15. Following Official Alerts and News Reports

If you want to spot a fixed match, keeping up with the news can help a lot. Football associations and law enforcement often send out warnings if they think a match is dodgy. For instance, a country's football association might say they've stopped betting on a specific cup match because of some odd behavior. In club football, UEFA sometimes gives clubs a heads-up about fixers before a tournament, although these warnings don't always make the headlines.

Bookmakers also play a part; they might cancel bets or take down markets if they smell something fishy. If you bet with multiple bookmakers, you might see one of them suddenly remove a match or change the odds sharply. This is a sign that something could be off. Bookmakers take these actions seriously, as they often get information from integrity monitors about potential issues.

Some bettors pay attention to which matches get pulled off the board, not to bet elsewhere, but to gauge where problems might arise. Staying informed through trusted news sources is really important. It helps you tell the difference between actual threats and just rumors. While the news might not always catch a fix before it happens, it can help confirm what you’ve noticed and keep you from getting caught out twice.

16. Focusing on Patterns in Team Performances

When it comes to data analysis in betting, some folks take a more hands-on approach, looking for patterns in how specific teams or players perform. For instance, if a team has a weird habit of giving up goals in the last 10 minutes when they're heavily favored, it might seem like they're intentionally letting up. Or, if a club from Eastern Europe always loses big when they play certain away games, some might think they’re involved in something shady with betting groups.

There’s a real-life example: a team in the Czech Republic was so famous for match-fixing that Asian bookmakers adjusted their odds, expecting the unexpected; savvy bettors either stayed away or placed bets on wild scorelines.

Players can be a part of this too. If a goalkeeper keeps making mistakes, like own goals in games where betting patterns look odd, it might mean they’re involved in match-fixing. Bettors who follow these leagues often share tips on players to watch.

Another thing to look out for is financial trouble. Teams struggling to pay their players or facing bankruptcy can be easy targets for fixers. If someone reads local sports news and finds out a team is broke, they might think that a big offer to throw a game could tempt some players.

Unfortunately, in places like Africa and Eastern Europe, it's not uncommon for unpaid players to resort to fixing games for cash. So, for a bettor, this means approaching games involving those teams with caution. If there’s a sudden betting shift against them, that might be a warning sign.

Overall, being aware of patterns, whether financial, motivational, or historical can help spot where fixes could happen. It’s about looking for trends, not just one-off games. When you combine this with other tips, like clues from the betting market, you can get a better sense of the situation. It’s like profiling potential corruption candidates and paying closer attention to their games.

17. Heeding the Red Flags

After going through these strategies that bettors use, there’s one important thing to keep in mind: if someone is trying to sell you a guaranteed fixed match, they’re probably trying to scam you. Because match-fixing often happens in secret, it’s a hot spot for con artists. We've talked about this a lot, but let’s sum up the main warning signs and how to protect yourself.

No tipster can promise a certain outcome. If they do, it’s a lie. Even fixed matches can be unpredictable, and nobody can honestly guarantee a win.

Scammers often brag about big payoffs or say things like, Yesterday’s fixed bet won, but they rarely have proof that holds up. Be careful with screenshots; they can be easily faked. Watch out for pressure tactics like limited spots or act fast, prices will go up. Real inside info isn’t shared with a huge crowd; the more people who know, the less likely it’ll stay under wraps.

So if it’s heavily promoted, it’s probably a scam. Also, be wary of anonymous contacts. Many of these scammers use fake accounts, meaning if you get ripped off, you’re on your own. Reliable tipsters usually have a public profile and a way for you to reach them.

Your own desire to believe in a fixed match can be what scammers prey on. If you want to think a match is rigged, you might overlook clear signs that it isn’t. Always ask yourself, “Why am I getting this info?” If you can’t find a good answer, steer clear of betting. Lastly, think about the legal and ethical side of things.

Football betting should be about making educated guesses on unpredictable outcomes, not taking advantage of rigged games. This article explains how to spot fixed matches, but it’s not saying you should seek them out. Many experienced bettors use similar techniques to avoid betting on games that might be fixed, keeping themselves safe from scams.

In reality, fixed matches hurt honest bettors way more than they help anyone. Yes, they exist, but they’re lurking in the shadows of the sport. Bettors have come up with many ways to find them, from tracking odds to following shady tips. Some have even gotten lucky with a suspicious bet that turned out to be real.

Still, for every successful catch, there are tons of dead ends and scams. Just remember: knowledge is key! If you understand how match-fixers work and what the warning signs are, you'll be better prepared to avoid bad bets.

If you decide to take a chance on spotting a fix, do it carefully and only bet what you can afford to lose. And keep in mind, while the house might not always win, the fixers and scammers often do. Stay alert, bet wisely, and keep your love for the game by staying away from the false promise of easy wins. If you want to learn more about fixed matches and would like to report one, check out this page about fixed matches on FIFPRO website.

Soccer

Popular Leagues

International Clubs

Fixed Matches in Football: What They Are and 17 Ways Bettors Try to Spot Them

Covert Code