Handicap +4 and -4 in Football Betting Explained

Tania Levees

Upd 5 days ago

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Handicap +4 and -4 are football bets where the bookmaker adjusts a team’s score by four goals.

+4 gives the team a four-goal head start.
-4 means the team starts four goals behind.

The handicap determines whether the bet is a winner, a loser, or a push.

This type of handicap is typically offered in one-sided fixtures — when the bookmaker prices the favourite at very short odds. It makes underdog bets safer and gives favourite backers a more appealing price.

How +4 and -4 handicaps may look on Bet365:

What Does Handicap +4 Mean?

Handicap +4 means four goals are added to the selected team’s final result.

For example, you back Brighton +4 against Manchester City.

Final Score	Adjusted Score	Result
Brighton 2-1 Man City	6-1	Win
1-1 draw	5-1	Win
Brighton 1-2 Man City	5-2	Win
Brighton 0-2 Man City	4-2	Win
Brighton 0-3 Man City	4-3	Win
Brighton 0-4 Man City	4-4	Push
Brighton 0-5 Man City	4-5	Loss

The bet only loses if the team is beaten by five goals or more.

This bet is often used when backing a big underdog. The team does not need to win — a loss by up to three goals is enough for the bet to pay out.

What Does Handicap -4 Mean?

Handicap -4 means four goals are subtracted from the selected team’s final result. For example, you back France -4 against Malta.

Final Score	Adjusted Score	Result
France 6-0 Malta	2-0	Win
France 4-0 Malta	0-0	Push
France 3-0 Malta	-1-0	Loss
France 2-0 Malta	-2-0	Loss
France 1-0 Malta	-3-0	Loss
0-0 draw	-4-0	Loss
France 0-1 Malta	—	Loss

A 4-0 win is a push. Anything short of a five-goal win loses.

Handicap +4 vs -4

Handicap	What it means	Wins if	Push if	Loses if
+4	The team gets four extra goals	The team wins, draws, or loses by 1, 2, or 3 goals	The team loses by exactly 4 goals	The team loses by 5 or more goals
-4	The team has four goals removed	The team wins by 5 or more goals	The team wins by exactly 4 goals	The team wins by 3 or fewer goals, draws, or loses

Simple Examples

Team A +4:

Team A loses 1-4 → Win (adjusted: 5-4)
Team A loses 0-4 → Push (adjusted: 4-4)
Team A loses 0-5 → Loss (adjusted: 4-5)

Team B -4:

Team B wins 6-1 → Win (adjusted: 2-1)
Team B wins 4-0 → Push (adjusted: 0-0)
Team B wins 3-0 → Loss (adjusted: -1-0)

The bottom line: +4 gives you a cushion; -4 requires a blowout.

How Handicap +4/-4 Bets Are Settled

Football handicap bets are settled on the selected match period.

Full-time handicap bets cover 90 minutes of play plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties do not count unless the bookmaker states otherwise.

If the handicap is for the first half or second half, only that period counts.

Asian and European formats differ. In Asian handicap, a whole-number line like +4 or -4 can result in a push — the adjusted score is level and the stake is returned. In European handicap, an adjusted draw is not a push. Because the handicap draw is offered as a separate option, if you back the favourite -4 and they win by exactly four goals, your bet loses. Always check the market type before you place your bet.

Pros

Handicap +4 covers a wide range of losing margins.

Handicap -4 offers better value than outright winner odds on heavy favourites.

They let you bet on the margin instead of picking a winner outright.

Cons

Handicap -4 is difficult to win because the favourite must win by at least five goals.

Handicap +4 pays out at shorter odds because the risk is lower.

A four-goal margin is a push, so you don't make a profit even when the team performs exactly to the line.

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