The English Premier League might hog the global spotlight, absorbing the lion’s share of media attention and sponsorship revenue, but it certainly doesn’t have a monopoly on passion. Look north or across the Irish Sea, and you’ll find two nations where the game is taken just as seriously. Scotland and Ireland share deep cultural ties and a sporting heritage that rivals anything found in London or Manchester. And both offer the same bets as the EPL or any other major European league.
Yet, for all the similarities in how the game is consumed in the pubs of Glasgow or Dublin, the leagues themselves operate in parallel universes. The Scottish Premiership and the League of Ireland Premier Division differ wildly on almost every metric: from the stadiums and the bank balances, to the very calendar the season follows. Understanding these differences is key to sizing up soccer bets on either league, potentially increasing the chances of a successful wager.
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Same Sport, Different Structure
The SPL and Irish football have two key differences: schedules and format.
League Calendars
One of the most immediate distinctions is the calendar itself. While the Scottish Premier League adheres to the traditional European schedule – kicking off in August and wrapping up in May – the League of Ireland operates on a summer schedule.
Since 2003, Irish football has run from February through to November. The logic was simple: avoid competing directly with the English Premier League for attention and, theoretically, play in better weather conditions to improve the product on the pitch.
League Format
Then there is the format. The Scottish Premiership consists of 12 teams and uses a unique ‘split’ system. After 33 games, the league divides into a top six and a bottom six, creating a dramatic finish where teams only play those around them to decide the title, European spots, or relegation.
In contrast, the League of Ireland Premier Division is a tighter affair with just 10 teams. It follows a more straightforward structure where every club plays each other four times over the course of the season: twice at home and twice away.
This offers a purity of competition that the complex Scottish model sometimes lacks, though it does mean fans get very familiar with their opponents by the end of the year.
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From World Class Talents to Regular Joe’s
The financial disparity between the two leagues is stark, and nowhere is this more visible than in the wage bills. The Scottish Premiership, driven by the commercial juggernauts of the Old Firm, operates on a level that Irish clubs simply cannot match.
In Glasgow, clubs have the financial muscle to bring in elite talent or repatriate huge names. For instance, Celtic’s decision to bring Kieran Tierney back home on a package reportedly worth around £2.6 million a year highlights a spending power that is lightyears ahead of their neighbors across the Irish Sea.
To put that in perspective, Tierney’s weekly wage alone would cover the annual salary of a key player in Ireland. While full-time professionalism is growing in the League of Ireland – specifically at the top of the table – the vast majority of squads are still comprised of players on modest wages or semi-professional contracts.
Transfer Market Differences
The financial gulf between the two leagues dictates the transfer market, too. Celtic and Rangers can demand massive fees for their assets, such as the record-breaking sums paid for talents like Jota, which they then reinvest to maintain their dominance.
In contrast, Irish clubs often lose their brightest prospects to League One or League Two sides in England for nominal fees as they are unable to compete with the lure of professional contracts in the UK.
Sporting Culture Plays a Key Role
One of the most defining differences lies in the wider sporting landscape of each nation.
Football Rules in Scotland
In Scotland, football is the undisputed king. It monopolizes the back pages, dominates the radio phone-ins, and is the primary topic of conversation in offices and pubs from Aberdeen to Ayr. There is very little that competes with it for national attention.
Competing Sports Interests in Ireland
In Ireland, the picture is more complex. Association football has to fight tooth and nail for visibility against the juggernaut of the GAA. Gaelic football and hurling are not just sports; they are community pillars that often draw the biggest crowds and the prime broadcast slots.
This means the League of Ireland doesn’t always get the “wall-to-wall” coverage seen in Scotland, but it has forged an incredibly resilient and dedicated subculture as a result.
The fans that do follow the League of Ireland are known for a specific kind of intensity. They aren’t just casual observers; they are deeply invested in their local sides. This engagement extends well beyond the turnstiles.
For the modern supporter, the matchday experience often begins long before kick-off, whether that’s debating team selection in the pub or checking the latest match odds.
Where to Bet on Irish Football
USA fans of the League of Ireland can look to their state’s legal betting sites, like BetMGM or BetRivers, while those in Ireland can get the latest odds at a top Irish bookmaker, like NetBet.
Because the Irish league fights for mainstream attention, its fans have created a vibrant, self-sustaining ecosystem of podcasts, fanzines, and online communities that rivals anything found in the Scottish game.
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A Tale of Two Leagues
Comparing these two competitions is ultimately a bit like comparing apples and oranges. The Scottish Premiership is a massive commercial entity, buoyed by the global stature of two of the world’s most famous clubs. It offers the glitz, the European nights, and the star power that comes with significant financial backing.
In comparison, the League of Ireland offers something different but equally valuable. It is a league built on community, volunteerism, and a raw connection between players and supporters that has largely been lost in the modern elite game.
While it may lack the broadcasting revenue or the multi-million pound transfers of its Scottish counterpart, it makes up for it with competitiveness and a rapidly growing, youthful fanbase. Both leagues are products of their environment, and both offer a unique, thrilling experience for anyone willing to pass through the turnstiles.
Soccer Betting Resources
Learn how to bet on soccer, or study up on some basic soccer betting strategies. Then, be sure to look over our suggested soccer betting sites before kickoff.
North American
- MLS Betting Odds – Review the latest 3-way moneylines, 2-way moneylines (Draw, No Bet), totals, and Asian Handicap for upcoming USA Major League Soccer games, plus MLS Cup futures odds.
- Liga MX Betting Odds – Whether it’s the Torneo Apertura or Torneo Clausura, Mexico Liga MX soccer is among the most exciting and competitive in the world. We’ve got moneylines, totals, and Asian Handicaps for upcoming Liga MX matchups, plus futures for each tournament.
South American
- Brazil Serie A Odds – Running from April to December each year, the Brasileirao Serie A is the top-tier soccer league in Brazil. See odds for upcoming matchups and learn how to bet on Brasileirao Serie A soccer.
- Copa America Odds – The Copa America tournament is one of the most competitive soccer events in the Western Hemisphere, featuring teams from South America and invited guests. Review odds for upcoming tournament matches.
UEFA Competitions
- Champions League Betting Odds – The UEFA Champion’s League is the world’s most prestigious soccer league, with top-tier teams hailing from various European club leagues, all vying to win the trophy each season. See moneylines for matches and tournament futures odds.
- Europa League Betting Odds – The UEFA Europa League is Europe’s second-tier soccer tournament, contested each year July to the following May. Check out moneylines for upcoming matches and review the latest odds to win the Europa League.
- UEFA Euro Betting Odds – Every 4 years, national teams from across Europe compete in the UEFA Euro Championship to crown the best European team. SportsBetting3.com has the latest odds to win the Euro Championship, in addition to a full slate of lines and odds for upcoming qualification and tournament matches.
European Club Leagues
- Premier League Betting Odds – The English Premiership is among the world’s most popular soccer leagues. See the latest moneylines, totals, and Asian Handicaps for its next matches.
- EFL Championship Odds – Known as the English Football League Championship, or “The Championship” in England, this competitive English soccer league has betting odds for each and every matchup, including exciting prop bets.
- La Liga Betting Odds – Bet on Spain’s greatest soccer teams like Real Madrid or Barcelona. We’ve got the latest moneylines, totals, Asian Handicaps, and odds to win La Liga this season.
- Bundesliga Betting Odds – Germany’s Bundesliga 1 is the most competitive league in this soccer loving country. Review odds for upcoming German Bundesliga matchups and see which team is favored to win this season.
- Ligue 1 Betting Odds – Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille dominate France’s top-tier soccer league. Our page has odds for the next scheduled Ligue 1 matchups, including money lines, totals, and Asian Handicaps, plus league futures.
- Serie A Betting Odds – Italy’s Serie A is among the greatest club leagues in the world, so be sure to review the odds on its next matchups before the season comes to a close. See moneylines, totals, and Asian Handicaps for teams like Juventus and Napoli.
- Primeira Liga Betting Odds – Don’t overlook Portugal’s energetic and gifted soccer teams, like Porto and Benfica. Be sure to review the odds to win the Primeira Liga and moneylines for its next scheduled games this season.
- Eredivisie Betting Odds – Dutch Soccer is not to be ignored, sporting powerhouse teams like PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord Rotterdam. Analyze the odds on Netherlands soccer carefully, you might find an opportunity to win betting on your favorite Dutch soccer team.
- Scottish Premiership Odds – Stay on top of Scotland’s top soccer league. We have the odds for upcoming matchups, odds to win the Premiership outright, plus prop bets for each matchup.
- Jupiler Pro League Odds – Belgium’s pro soccer includes top teams like Club Brugge, Racing Genk, and Antwerp. Our page has odds for upcoming Belgian soccer matchups including 3-way moneylines, 2-way moneylines, goal totals, and Asian Handicaps, plus odds to win this season’s Jupiler Pro League.
- Swedish Allsvenskan Odds – Sweden regularly contributes its top teams to the UEFA Champions and Europa Leagues. Follow your favorite Allsvenskan teams all season with the latest betting odds, prop bets, league standings, and Allsvenskan futures odds.
- Swiss Super League Odds – Switzerland is home to a number of respected football teams, including Basel, Young Boys, and Lugano. See betting odds for upcoming Swiss Super League games, league futures, and prop bets.
- Danish Superliga Odds – Denmark offers some of the most competitive soccer in Europe, regularly sending good teams to the UEFA competitions.
- Turkish Super Lig – Turkey’s Super Lig is among the most popular soccer leagues in the world. See odds for upcoming matchups, including 3-way moneylines, 2-way moneylines, totals, and the Super Lig Asian Handicap.
Global Competitions
- World Cup Betting Odds – The next FIFA World Cup is around the corner. SportsBetting3.com has World Cup Futures odds, plus moneylines, totals, and Asian Handicaps individual matchups between countries during group play all the way through to the World Cup Final.
- Women’s World Cup Betting Odds – The Women’s World Cup takes place a year after the men’s competition. Have a look at the latest odds to win the Women’s World Cup, plus lines and odds for every game of the tournament.
CONCACAF Competitions
- CONCACAF Leagues Cup Odds – Get the latest odds for CONCACAF Leagues Cup matchups, featuring exciting games between the United States’ MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX teams.
- CONCACAF Nations League Odds – Moneylines, totals, and Asian Handicap odds for the next CONCACAF Nations League matchups, with prop bets for each team’s total goals, corners, both teams to score, and match to be won by 1 goal exactly.
- CONCACAF Gold Cup Odds – Review CONCACAF Gold Cup matchup odds, including moneylines, totals, and Asian Handicaps, plus the 2-way moneyline and various prop bets for upcoming matchups throughout the tournament.