2025-26 Soccer Betting Trends: Rise of Player Prop Markets

Soccer betting in Canada has grown alongside the sport’s steady domestic rise. We still remember Toronto FC’s 2017 championship run, when the Reds became the first Canadian team to lift the MLS trophy.

For us, at least, that was a turning point for soccer in Canada. Since then, interest has continued to build through rising attendance in the Canadian Premier League and the emergence of homegrown talent featuring regularly in domestic competition, MLS, and top European leagues alongside established international names.

Soccer’s reach has also expanded through modern coverage and access. Streaming platforms like DAZN and Apple TV MLS Season Pass offer full-match broadcasts, highlights, and condensed replays, while players use Instagram and TikTok to share training clips, match moments, and personal performance stats

When leagues, clubs, and players present their own data directly, fans naturally start analysing the game at club, country, and individual levels. That shift has carried over into betting, where player-focused markets now sit alongside traditional match bets.

In this article, we’ll look at how soccer betting trends in Canada have evolved, with a specific focus on player prop markets shaped by improved data access, broader coverage, expanded sportsbook options, and the sport’s continued growth nationwide.

Player Prop Bets in Soccer

Definition of Player Prop Markets

Player prop bets focus on individual performance instead of the final score. Rather than betting on which team wins, you’re wagering on whether a specific player scores a goal, takes a certain number of shots, earns a corner, or picks up a yellow or red card.

These prop bet markets are separate from the match result. You can still win even if the player’s team loses, as long as the bet itself lands. This separation from team outcomes is a big reason why player props appeal to both casual and experienced bettors.

Types of Common Soccer Player Props

Most soccer player props fall into these categories:

• Goal Props: Whether a specific player finds the net. You’ll see odds like Jonathan David to score anytime (+165) or Mohamed Salah Over 0.5 goals (-110). These markets are common for forwards who average multiple shots per match.
• Assist Props: Target players who regularly create goal chances. Common lines include Kevin De Bruyne to record 1+ assists (+220) or Jacob Shaffelburg to register an assist (+300).
• Shot Props: Measure attacking involvement rather than goals. For elite strikers, books often post lines such as Erling Haaland Over 3.5 total shots (-115), while Canadian players like Alphonso Davies are typically set around 2.5 to 3.5.
• Card Props: Apply to midfielders and defenders known for aggressive defensive pressure. Examples include Casemiro to receive a card (+180) or Ismaël Koné to be booked (+210).

Why Player Prop Markets Are Growing in Popularity

Several changes in how soccer is watched, analysed, and bet on are driving the growth of player prop markets.

Better Data and Analytics Availability

Soccer data analytics have improved significantly over the past decade, shifting from basic statistics like goals and assists to advanced performance metrics. Detailed tracking now measures actions like shot quality, positioning, pressing, and involvement in build-up play. 

Much of this data is publicly available on platforms like: 

• Transfermarkt tracks player market values, transfer history, and minutes played. 
• FBref publishes expected goals (xG), expected assists (xA), shot locations, and per-90 metrics.
• WhoScored offers match ratings, heat maps, and detailed event data such as tackles, interceptions, and key passes. 

Sportsbooks rely on additional proprietary data feeds to price player props more accurately. For bettors, this results in stat props that better reflect player performance trends and usage.

Influence of Streaming and Media on Player Visibility

Soccer coverage today is more player-focused. You see match highlights, bite-sized clips, and stat graphics as content circulating on streaming platforms such as DAZN and social media. In fact, player followings on platforms like Instagram and TikTok are now considered in sponsorship value and, in some cases, contract negotiations. 

This level of visibility allows Canadian fans to think in terms of players instead of just teams and supports the growth of player prop markets based on individual form, recent performance, and on-field indicators rather than match results alone.

Bookmakers Expanding Their Offerings

Sportsbooks, including TonyBet, are offering deeper and more varied markets, creating more betting options within a single match. As a result, extensive player prop options such as shots on target, tackles, fouls committed, and total passes are common for most major soccer matches, particularly in top leagues and international competitions.

This expansion is also supported by growing demand. OddsMatrix, a major sportsbook technology provider, reported that player prop turnover rose 72% year over year during the 2024/25 season, while revenue from these props increased by 84% among its clients. Markets such as “shots on target” and “player to be booked” were among the most popular.

Major Trends Driving Player Props in 2025-26

Four major trends are shaping player prop markets in 2025-26:

Canadians Are More Into Casual Betting

Many Canadian bettors are just exploring sports betting. A Leger study shows that only 19% of surveyed Canadians had placed a sports wager in the last year, so for many, full tactical matchups and detailed breakdowns can feel overly analytical. 

Player props, on the other hand, offer more straightforward betting opportunities without requiring technical analysis. Betting on a player to register a certain number of shots or commit a foul is often easier to grasp than predicting a final score.

This accessibility makes player props appealing to casual bettors placing small, entertainment-focused online bets.

Growing Use of Micro-betting and Live Betting

Data published by SBC Eurasia shows that live betting sessions average 5.7 bets compared to 1.8 pre-match, with live bettors also showing a 47% higher 30-day retention rate. This has pushed sportsbooks to expand player-focused micro-markets during live play.

For example, when a team goes behind early, odds on attacking player props often adjust as the trailing side pushes forward. A striker’s shots or shots-on-target line may move higher as pressure builds, reflecting how momentum and game state directly affect live betting. 

New Prop Types and Combinations

Sportsbooks are experimenting with new ways to structure player props, including combo props and moment-based markets. Examples include bets on a player to record 1+ shots and a foul, a forward to register a shot on target in the first half, or a defender to receive a card after the 60th minute.

These markets are more detailed and tend to suit bettors who track players based on how they behave on the pitch, their roles, and how matches unfold rather than relying on season-long averages.

Cross-League and Cross-Competition Prop Markets

Player prop markets are becoming more consistent across leagues and competitions because sportsbooks now offer the same core stat categories across most major fixtures. Markets such as goals, assists, total shots, shots on target, and cards appear regularly in matches from competitions like the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga, and the UEFA Champions League.

Because the same player markets repeat across competitions, bettors can use a familiar evaluation process when moving between domestic leagues and international tournaments, rather than adjusting to entirely different betting structures.

Key Data Sources and Platforms Enabling the Trend

Behind the scenes, several types of platforms are supporting the expansion of player prop betting.

Data Analytics Platforms

Advanced analytics platforms track performance, tendencies, variance, and long-term reliability. These systems factor in opposition strength, tactics, and recent form to support more accurate projections. Sites like Transfermarkt, FBref, and WhoScored give bettors access to detailed player stats that were once limited to professional analysts.

Access to soccer advanced stats has made it easier for bettors to evaluate prop pricing and spot inefficiencies.

Betting Trend Aggregators

Betting trend aggregators focus less on player performance and more on how markets behave. Platforms such as OddsPortal and BetExplorer track historical results, line movement, and pricing changes across sportsbooks. This helps bettors see how probabilities shift in response to injuries, rotation, or lineup news.

These tools are often used to understand broader sportsbook trends rather than individual matches.

Regional Platforms

Different regions emphasise different stat props. Many European sportsbooks place greater focus on goal and shot markets, while Asian platforms more commonly offer card-based and disciplinary props tied to match tempo and officiating trends.

In Canada, platforms such as TonyBet reflect a broader player-stat focus, similar to betting patterns seen in hockey and basketball, where individual performance has long been central to wagering behaviour.

Strategies for Betting Player Props as a Beginner

For newcomers, player prop markets can be both appealing and challenging. A measured approach helps reduce unnecessary risk.

Researching Player Statistics

Start with basic, repeatable stats. Look at recent averages, minutes played, and role within the team. Avoid chasing outlier performances and focus on consistent patterns.

Simple evaluation is often more effective than complex modelling at the beginner stage.

Understanding Match Context

Context matters more in player props than in many traditional markets because individual output is tied directly to role and usage. Lineups, formations, and tactical instructions can change a player’s involvement significantly from one match to the next.

Before betting, check confirmed lineups 60 to 90 minutes before kickoff and confirm the player is starting in their usual position. Role changes, such as a winger being deployed as a wing-back or wide midfielder, typically reduce shooting opportunities. Opponent defensive strength and expected game flow also affect shot volume and scoring chances.

Bankroll Management for High-Variance Markets

Player props naturally involve higher variance. One missed chance or early substitution can swing the outcome.

Using smaller stakes and a clear bankroll structure helps manage this volatility over time.

Using Live Betting Tools Effectively

Live betting allows bettors to react rather than predict. Watching how a player is used in real time can reveal opportunities that aren’t obvious before kickoff. On TonyBet, features such as “cashout” can also help manage risk by allowing bettors to exit a player prop early if the match develops differently than expected.

Risks and Challenges of Player Prop Betting

Despite their appeal, player props come with specific risks that shouldn’t be ignored.

High Volatility and Variance

Even well-researched props can lose due to randomness. Variance is a constant factor in stat-based betting markets.

Bookmaker Hedging and Limits

As player props grow more popular, sportsbooks adjust pricing and limits more aggressively, especially on niche stat props.

Injury and Rotation Risk

Late injuries, unexpected substitutions, or squad rotation can quickly invalidate assumptions. Lineup confirmation is always important.

Over-reliance on Predictive Models

Models and projections support decision-making, but they aren’t guarantees. Ignoring match dynamics or contextual factors can reduce accuracy.

Responsible Gambling

Player prop betting can feel engaging, especially in live formats with constant action. It’s important to set clear limits, avoid chasing losses, and treat betting as entertainment rather than income.

Responsible habits help maintain long-term control and enjoyment. If you or someone close to you is affected by problem gambling, the Responsible Gambling Council offers dedicated support resources you can check out