Betting trends are a central element in sports betting, widely discussed by bettors and sportsbooks alike.
But what exactly are betting trends, and how can they help (or hinder) a betting strategy?
The reality is that while betting trends provide insight, they must be evaluated with caution and used alongside other analytical tools.
This article dives into the value of team trends—specific patterns in team performance that directly affect betting outcomes—and how to leverage these trends to make more informed betting decisions.
What Are Betting Trends?
When people talk about “betting trends,” they’re often referring to public betting data, specifically the volume of money or number of bets placed on one side of a game.
This metric reflects public perception and betting behavior, as well as where the majority of the public places their money.
Before each NFL game, for example, many bettors review public betting splits to gauge which teams or outcomes are heavily favored by the betting community.
Betting trends like these are helpful to know, especially if you’re trying to “fade the public” (bet against public consensus) or “chase steam” (follow sudden line movements influenced by sharp money).
However, while public betting trends provide valuable information, they aren’t necessarily the best indicator of game outcomes.
Sometimes, the public’s expectations don’t align with reality.
For a more reliable approach, many seasoned bettors focus on team trends—metrics that analyze team performance against specific betting conditions.
The Importance of Team Trends
When crafting a sports betting strategy, one of the most insightful tools is the analysis of team trends.
Unlike public betting trends, team trends are based on a team’s historical performance under various conditions, such as home versus away games, being a favorite versus an underdog, or outcomes against the spread (ATS).
A team’s record against these conditions offers a more concrete basis for predicting future performance, rather than just relying on what the public expects to happen.
For example, in the 2018 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills weren’t the most popular team among fans, but they ended up being the most profitable team to bet on.
While public opinion often drives betting lines, historical performance data can reveal value opportunities that might otherwise be missed.
What Are Team Trends?
Team trends examine a team’s historical performance in a way that directly relates to betting outcomes.
These trends answer questions like:
How did the Denver Broncos perform against the spread in away games last season?
Or, how frequently did the Red Sox hit the over on total runs in their games?
Breaking down team trends can offer insights into a team’s ability to cover spreads, perform under different circumstances, and yield profitable outcomes over time.
Generally, team betting trends can be organized into three main categories:
- Location: Does a team perform better at home or on the road?
- Odds: Does a team have a better record as a favorite or an underdog?
- Type of Wager: Is the team better for moneyline bets, point spread, or totals (over/under)?
By examining how a team performs across these categories, you can develop a clearer picture of the scenarios where that team might be a profitable bet.
For instance, if the Miami Dolphins have a strong ATS record when playing as underdogs, then betting on them in those situations could be more valuable than betting on them as favorites.
How to Use Team Trends: Practical Examples
Suppose you’re considering a bet on the Miami Dolphins as underdogs against a stronger team like the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Instead of only relying on public sentiment, you could look at the Dolphins’ past performance under similar circumstances: as an underdog, playing away, and perhaps specifically in cold-weather games.
If historical data shows they cover the spread frequently in these situations, you might feel more confident in your wager.
One challenge of analyzing team trends, however, is the time and effort required to compile and interpret data across multiple conditions.
Thankfully, tools like SBD Sharp simplify this process, presenting a comprehensive analysis of team trends for every major sports league.
With SBD Sharp, you can easily filter team performance by location, odds, and bet type to quickly assess a team’s value.
Using SBD Sharp for Betting Analysis
SBD Sharp is a tool that aggregates data from team betting trends across major leagues and allows users to filter results based on various conditions.
The tool makes it easy to see how much you would have won or lost if you had bet on a specific team over the course of a season.
This information is valuable for bettors who want to approach sports betting with a more disciplined, investment-style mindset.
With SBD Sharp, you can see a team’s return on investment based on historical performance, rather than relying solely on the team’s overall win-loss record.
This is especially useful for bettors looking to bet on teams that are profitable under specific scenarios.
For instance, even if a team has a mediocre win-loss record, they might still be profitable when betting against the spread.
Example: Finding Value in NBA Moneyline Bets
Imagine you’re interested in betting on the NBA moneyline and want to know which team offered the best value last season.
By filtering SBD Sharp for moneyline bets across the NBA, you might discover that the Los Angeles Clippers, despite only having the 12th best record, were among the most profitable teams to bet on for straight-up game outcomes.
With SBD Sharp, you can see exactly how the Clippers performed in various scenarios—home versus away, as favorites or underdogs, and across different parts of the season.
By toggling these options, you gain insight into which scenarios consistently offered the best return on investment.
Visualizing Trends with SBD Sharp
Another advantage of using a tool like SBD Sharp is the ability to visualize trends over time.
For example, by analyzing the Clippers’ performance under different conditions, you might notice that they performed especially well as underdogs in away games.
Such trends are easily identifiable with SBD Sharp’s graphical tools, which allow bettors to compare results across multiple categories at a glance.
Seeing how a team matures as a betting asset throughout a season can help bettors make informed decisions about which teams to back consistently.
In this way, SBD Sharp transforms betting trends from raw data into actionable insights, helping bettors identify high-value wagers based on a team’s real-world performance.
Incorporating Team Trends into Your Betting Strategy
Understanding and applying team trends is just one aspect of a successful sports betting strategy.
To create a well-rounded approach, consider combining trend analysis with other strategies.
For example, studying advanced statistics, monitoring injury reports, and understanding situational factors (like weather and travel schedules) can add valuable context to team trends.
Moreover, bankroll management is essential to maintaining profitability over time.
Even if team trends suggest a high-value wager, betting more than you can afford to lose is risky.
Successful sports betting requires discipline and patience, and while tools like SBD Sharp provide a competitive edge, they should be used responsibly.
Final Thoughts on Betting Trends vs. Reality
While betting trends are a useful starting point for handicapping sports, they’re not a guaranteed path to success.
Public betting trends are especially prone to influencing odds in ways that may not reflect a team’s actual likelihood of winning.
Instead, focusing on team trends—evaluating historical performance under specific betting conditions—can reveal opportunities that go unnoticed by the general betting public.
SBD Sharp helps bettors take advantage of these insights by providing easy access to trend data and return on investment analysis across various scenarios.
By treating team trends as a key component in a larger betting strategy, you can improve your odds of making profitable bets consistently.
As always, remember to bet within your means.
Betting trends can enhance your strategy, but they’re no substitute for responsible gambling.
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, resources like 1-800-GAMBLER offer support to those in need.
About Mitchell South
Mitchell South is a content marketing specialist with over seven years of experience in gaming content.
As sports betting gains popularity, Mitchell provides readers with informative articles and guides to make betting more accessible and strategic.
Looking for More Sports Betting Insights?
For more sports betting advice and strategies, explore our other articles.
Each guide is designed to offer valuable insights across different sports and betting types, from basic betting principles to advanced tactics.
Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned bettor, remember that effective betting strategies require research, discipline, and responsible gambling.
