Predictive Methods for Football and Betting Markets Paperback – January 17, 2023

It is a really interesting book for multiple reasons, whether it's for squad buliding purposes, making predictions for the future or gambling. It gives the reader an idea on how to approach different betting markets, future bets or single games, asian vs european handicaps, margins and how to select the right bookmakers. About squad building, it gives you an insight into the relevance of the age curve for players and so much more.Highly recommend Enrique's book, whose class and presentation I enjoyed by far the most on a course I attended.

Way too many people bet based on vibes and whatever nonsense some pundit says this book basically tells you to stop doing that. Breaks down what actually matters in predicting matches using real data from top european leagues it covers market inefficiencies team form and even how long it takes to judge if a team is actually good or just lucky. Some parts get deep into stats but overall easy to follow and you can actually apply the concepts.

This book is a very interesting read backed by good and detailed research and data to support conclusions. It explains very well how to forecast the results of a soccer team and in turn become a more informed bettor. Most conclusions are based on historical records from the main European leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1, etc…). Therefore, I think its content is relevant for professional soccer and not so much for amateur soccer. I particularly liked that the book is divided into many small chapters, each one covering a key idea backed by actual data. The language is very simple and very easy to understand.

I’ve loved this book! The author’s passion for soccer brings a unique, insightful and easy to follow approach that elevated my appreciation for the game through the lens of statistics. Concepts are accessible to reader even if you don’t have a quant background what has also allowed me to have a better understanding of soccer betting.

I have learned a lot about soccer analytics with this book. It goes straight to the point and it is full of practical examples and advice. A must read for every data analyst at soccer clubs and soccer fans with an interest in statistics and team performance.

I got this picture cuz I started losing my soccer bets based on my gut feeling and what the commentator says. The statistical approach up in my eyes depends I never known as before, like which trends actually matter for predicting games. While some parts get pretty technical, the explanations are clear not that I could start using the concepts right away in my betting strategy.

Interesting approach to European soccer. The book provides a solid foundation for predictive analytics and an extensive collection of stories and detailed examples of the methods in action. I definitely think most insights could be relevant to the MLS.

Predictive Methods for Football and Betting Markets is a refreshing, insightful dive into the use of statistics and data science to decode the odds and trends behind the world’s most popular sport. Enrique Dóal Perez Frias elevates the conversation beyond gut feelings and fandom, presenting real-world analysis built on a massive archive of match data to challenge assumptions about winning streaks, squad strategy, and market efficiency. This book’s strength is its accessible yet rigorous approach—breaking down complex modeling and prediction methods without jargon—making it a valuable resource for both football enthusiasts and anyone seeking a smarter, more strategic angle on sports betting.