The number of soccer games in a normal European football season is dependent on the number of teams within the league and the rules within the same league.
Some leagues require teams to play each other twice, whereas other leagues may require teams to play half the season before staring a second half of the season with different rules.
In England, professional leagues below the Premier League extend their league season to include a several play-off (promotion competition) or play-outs matches (relegation avoidance) before the season comes to an end, so the promotion, relegation or European matches can be decided for the following season.
To make things easier, let’s focus on a normal league season based on the number of teams within each league. This will give an indicator as to the number of matches that are likely to be played before the season comes to an end.
Each of the individual country football leagues may have slightly different requirements, but the number of teams with the league can help you to quickly estimate the number of matches within a season.
| Country | League Name | Number of Teams | Each team plays | Total regular season matches
|
England | Premier League | 20 | 38 | 760
|
England | Championship | 24 | 46 | 1104
|
England | League 1 | 24 | 46 | 1104
|
England | League 2 | 24 | 46 | 1104
|
France | Ligue 1 | 22 | 42 | 924
|
France | Ligue 2 | 22 | 42 | 924
|
Spain | La Liga | 20 | 38 | 760
|
Spain | Segunda Division | 22 | 42 | 924
|
Belgium | Pro League | 16 | 30 | 480
|
Italy | Serie A | 20 | 38 | 760
|
Italy | Serie B | 22 | 42 | 924
|
Germany | Bundesliga | 18 | 34 | 612
|
Germany | 2. Bundesliga | 18 | 34 | 612
|
Portugal | Liga NOS | 18 | 34 | 612
|
Denmark | Superliga | 14 | 32 | 448
|
Denmark | Liga 1. Division | 12 | 33 | 396
|
Sweden | Allsvenskan | 16 | 30 | 480
|
Sweden | Superettan | 16 | 30 | 480
|
Russia | Premier League | 16 | 30 | 480
|
Russia | FNL | 20 | 38 | 760
|
Nertherlands | Eredivisie | 18 | 34 | 612
|
Netherlands | Jupiler League | 20 | 38 | 760
|
Norway | Eliteserien | 16 | 30 | 480
|
Norway | OBOS-ligaen | 16 | 30 | 480
|
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It’s easier for us to ignore strange circumstances, such as replays, postponed games, special one-off games for ex-player testimonials or anything else that seems different to a normal league season.
What are the most common score lines within European leagues?
The number of games is interesting, but what about the number of wins and draws in the different leagues. This can show us how different leagues compare and we can add more betting information, so we can tell the type of bets that might have more success within different leagues.
The different leagues all have different common score lines, but one sticks out in particular. It is the 1-1 score draw, which is without doubt the most frequent score line, which occurs a vast number of times within every single league.
If we look at the top 5 score lines within the top European leagues, we can see that the 1-1 score line is by far the most common and repeated score line.
Top 5 England Premier League score lines
| Home Score | Away Score | Match Result | Quantity
|
1 | 1 | D | 567
|
1 | 0 | H | 544
|
2 | 1 | H | 439
|
2 | 0 | H | 429
|
0 | 0 | D | 405
|
|
Top 5 France Ligue 1 score lines
| Home Score | Away Score | Match Result | Quantity
|
1 | 1 | D | 701
|
1 | 0 | H | 630
|
0 | 0 | D | 516
|
2 | 0 | H | 448
|
2 | 1 | H | 423
|
|
Top 5 Germany Bundesliga score lines
| Home Score | Away Score | Match Result | Quantity
|
1 | 1 | D | 476
|
2 | 1 | H | 375
|
1 | 0 | H | 340
|
2 | 0 | H | 313
|
0 | 0 | D | 283
|
|
Top 5 Spain La Liga score lines
| Home Score | Away Score | Match Result | Quantity
|
1 | 1 | D | 584
|
1 | 0 | H | 572
|
2 | 1 | H | 459
|
0 | 0 | D | 396
|
2 | 0 | H | 391
|
|
Top 5 Italy Serie 1 score lines
| Home Score | Away Score | Match Result | Quantity
|
1 | 1 | D | 616
|
1 | 0 | H | 546
|
2 | 1 | H | 469
|
0 | 0 | D | 429
|
2 | 0 | H | 422
|
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If we use the well understood popular bets 1X2 and Goals Over 2.5 and Goals Under 2.5, we can see the leagues with the best statistical probability for ending in a favourable score line for the popular bet types.
What is the most common bet based on historical data (h2)
This would have to be the Home Win or the Draw, as this points to the home team advantage and the score draw when an away team is a superior appointment when compared to the home team, but the home team can lean on their crowd and familiar stadium and home team environment.
Take your time to check over the info above, so you can choose the best bet for each of the different top European leagues.
Good luck!