Under 4.5 Goals Meaning - What Does Under 4.5 Goals Mean in Betting?
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Written by Peris Wambu
- Updated: May 1, 2025
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This market is designed for football bettors who like to see goals, but not too many of them. As long as a match ends in 4 goals or fewer, you win the bet. In this guide, we will take you through the key aspects of this market, including tips and strategies for placing the under 4.5 goals bet.
Under 4.5 Goals Meaning
The under 4.5 goals market means exactly what it sounds like. You are expected to wager on a match and win if the total number of goals scored in the game is 4.5 or fewer.
Remember, in football, there are no half goals or decimals. This means you will win the bet if 4 goals or less are scored.
In this market, it doesn’t matter who wins the game or the final scoreline as long as the total number of goals do not go beyond 4. Some of the possible scorelines include 0-0, 1-0, 2-1, 3-1 and 2-2. You realize that the goals can be shared between the teams in whatever format but the sum remains 4 or below.
The under 4.5 goals market, just like other over/under (totals) markets such as under 3.5 goals, only applies in the 90 minutes of regulation time. The goals scored will not be considered if the game advances to extra time.
The Outcomes of 4.5 Goals Bet
The table below represents the possible outcomes of a win or loss in the under 4.5 goals market.
SCORE | GOALS | RESULT |
0-0 | 0 | Win |
1-0 | 1 | Win |
0-1 | 1 | Win |
1-1 | 2 | Win |
2-0 | 2 | Win |
0-2 | 2 | Win |
2-1 | 3 | Win |
1-2 | 3 | Win |
3-0 | 3 | Win |
3-1 | 4 | Win |
2-2 | 4 | Win |
1-3 | 4 | Win |
3-2 | 5 | Lose |
3-3 | 6 | Lose |
4-3 | 7 | Lose |
Examples of Under 4.5 Goals
In this section, we will discuss several examples to help you understand how the under 4.5 market works. This market is convenient for low-scoring and averagely scoring teams.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid
The first example features a Champions League knockout match between Arsenal and Real Madrid. In their first leg, the scoreline was 3-0 in favor of Arsenal. The second leg also ended in a 2-1 scoreline with Arsenal winning. If you placed a bet on both matches, you certainly won the under 4.5 goals bet because both matches ended in less than 4 goals.
Newcastle vs Crystal Palace
The second example depicts a losing bet in market. A specific example is the EPL match where a high-scoring Newcastle beat Crystal Palace 5-0. In this case, the total number of goals scored was more than 4. Therefore an under 4.5 goals bet lost on this match.
Tips and Strategies for Under 4.5 Goals Betting
Betting on the under 4.5 goals market or any other football betting market such as handicap betting requires that you utilize various strategies. There are multiple factors you need to consider to understand the likelihood of teams scoring less than 4 goals. We have discussed some of the tips you can consider.
Team and Players Current Form
The structure of a team, including the quality of strikers and defensive setup will help you know how much goals can be scored. Unlike historical statistics, always consider the current form by analyzing the most recent 4 or 5 games. If the teams playing have a poor scoring record, you can bet in this market and you will likely win.
Head-To-Head Records
Head-to-head statistics are crucial in determining the chances of a match ending in less than 4 goals. Arch rivals in various leagues often score very few goals against each other. For instance, most games featuring Arsenal and Manchester United or Barcelona against Real Madrid will have just about a total of 2 goals scored. Check out many other head-to-head statistics to enhance your winning chances.
Consider Strong Teams
Wagering on the under 4.5 goals market can be profitable when you include big teams that dominate various leagues, especially those with attacking prowess. While this sounds contrary to the expectations of this market, bookmakers provide lucrative odds because they expect the match to end in many goals.
Huge International Events Offer Bigger Odds
Big football games include the World Cup or the Champions League. However, any other match that has a significant bearing on the competing outfits is regarded as a big game. During these matches, it can be very difficult to predict the winner, yet they often end in stalemates. Therefore, the most ideal bet with higher chances of winning is the under 4.5 goals.
Use Multipliers for Higher Odds
Every punter wants to get the best value for their money when picking selections. There are multiples like doubles, trebles and accumulators. These options give you amazing returns on bets that could otherwise give you little profits. You simply need to select a bunch of outcomes in under 4.5 goals and include them in your betslip. Adding many selections will boost your potential winnings.
Top Under 4.5 Betting Sites in Kenya
If you are looking for the best sports betting sites with competitive odds on the under 4.5 market, we recommend the following;