Fixing matches has become a pain in neck as it spoils the scene at the turf and also sabotages the careers of professional footballers. The authorities want to keep the waters clean and maintain the sanctity of sportsmanship, but for the lust of money, several times the lines are crossed. The legalization of betting in several countries have flown in a lot of money to the bookies. Thus, they also take part in changing the outcomes of games and limit their liability of processing payouts to the punters. But, is there any way one can detect a fixed football match? Well, there are no proven methods, but some red flags may provide the requisite feelers. Let’s explore in this post all those usual suspects that indicate fixing in football matches.
Various indicators of fixed football matches
There is no way to prove a fixed game when the striker misses hitting the last minute goal as he can put blame on pressure or that uneven field with poker face on. However, records tell a lot about fixed matches, and so, one can pick indicators which usually point at fixing having taken place. Some of such indicators are:
- Illogical betting odds
Odds are fixed as per the events likely to take place during the match. The favorites and underdogs are decided based on their past performances and current composition. So, all have a vague idea how the odds will look like as soon as the tournament is announced. But, if the odds start going a very weird way just before the start of the match, one is likely to eye at a fixed match. The match-fixing oddsmakers try to bribe the player not to play well or set deal with corrupt referees to have the outcomes in their favors. It results in odds which are nowhere near to the reality and change very quickly from several points.
For example, a team that is given no chance is all of a sudden backed with a lot of money invested on it is a red flag worth watching for. The bookies may have syndicated with some team whose losing can be beneficial to them. So, they coax them into playing a bad shot or losing the scoring points. By fixing the loss in game, and changing the odds, the bookmakers make a lot of money.
- Infallible data – another golden term for fixed match
There is nothing called infallible data, the situations change quite often and make things not so easy to predict. But, if any person or site comes with a claim of ‘infallible data’, then it indicates fixing of match. The bookies may have distorted the facts or created them which create very suspicious environment in the betting space. If any crucial instance or circumstance is missed while publishing data, it also indicates foul play and unusual situations.
- Players performance going south
In some parts of the world, football betting syndicates rule the game quite predominantly. There are several instances where the team was being unfair in their way of formations or passing the balls. An own goal at the crucial hour, goalkeeper not able to concede an otherwise simple goal, or players losing control over the ball are some instances that amount to dismally poor show by the players. If this performance is not an extension of a previous poor show and appears from nowhere, it does indicate a fixed football match.
- Referees giving bad decisions
The problem of fixing the match is deep-rooted. There have been a few notable incidents where the involvement of referees in match-fixing was established. So, if the referee starts giving yellow card to a player who is strong and this penalty seems a bit out of the line, the possibility of fixing the match cannot be ignored.
Similarly, the coaches and senior authorities may influence the line-up and star performers may be made to sit on bench on any trivial reason. While analyzing formations, the team composition, etc. when you detect such anomalies, you can speculate involvement of decision-makers in the fixing of the match.
- Manipulating the fouls or penalties
In a football match, the correct score may not be easy to manipulate. So, the referees can manipulate fouls or penalties and corner kicks, etc. No one can question such decisions, and thus, these instances cannot be proved to be a foul. So, when you find yourself cursing the referee for that unnecessary yellow card to a player in good action, you perhaps have just witnessed an act of match-fixing.
- Unusual upsets
A weak team defeating a strong team is not an entirely impossible result. The upsets are the part of the game. Sometimes, over-confidence kills the top rankers and they get floored by the team that is not so strong. There is nothing suspicious as the situation can be explained by good game by the weak team, or lack of key players in strong team and others. A strong team suffering the setback by 0-2 is understandable
But, if the score card reads 69-0, the way it happened in one of the Nigerian league matches where teams were fighting to avoid relegation, then it is not digestible at all. This is a clear case of match-fixing and the teams displayed this kind of game only to leverage the goal difference bet market. It was, therefore, not taken lightly by the authorities and all those involved in this match were given suitable punishments.
To conclude, The safest thing to do when you come across a fixed match is to avoid betting on such games. Fixed matches may show unusual odds, unusual scores, too much dominance of referees on the match, etc. All these indicators can help detecting a fixed football match. Also, there are sites like soccertipsters.net where you can find tips on markets like 1×2 Fixed Odds where odds are pre-determined. So, while reaching the bookmakers and studying odds, refer to the information available at tipster site. It may help you bet on genuine matches and to stay away from scams.a