Brandon Holden

I got into football betting the same way most people do — watching games, arguing about scorelines with mates, and eventually working out that having a strong opinion isn't the same thing as actually analysing a match. After a year of writing tips and keeping records of my own picks, I've settled on two markets that fit the way my brain works. Correct Score takes up most of my research time because it doesn't let you hedge — you either call it or you don't. Over/Under 2.5 Goals is the companion to that; it's where I put my read on pace, defensive shape, and how two managers are likely to approach each other to the test. My process is slow, and probably a bit dull to watch. I look at team news, recent tactical tweaks, fixture pile-ups, and the small details that tend to decide whether a game ends 1-1 or 2-1. I'm not pretending I've cracked anything — a year of tipping has mainly shown me how a perfectly reasonable pick can unravel in the 92nd minute. What I try to do is stay consistent in how I reason through a match, note down why I went with a particular call, and actually learn something when I'm wrong. Score picks in particular have a way of putting you in your place. When I post a selection, I'd rather show the working than just drop a number, so readers can push back on my logic if they see it differently. My Correct Score and Over/Under 2.5 Goals previews go up regularly on BettingTips2, covering matches across the bigger leagues. I'd sooner be upfront about the uncertainty than dress any of this up as something it isn't. — Brandon Holden