Next to football and basketball, volleyball has become one of the bettors’ favorite sports. National and international competitions became especially exciting drawing in attention from fans and gamblers alike. For this reason, many online betting platforms started offering live betting which raised the interest to new heights, particularly in matches where underdogs have a real shot at upsetting the favorites.
In volleyball, there’s a lot to keep an eye on from players, matches, injuries, momentums, history of the team, coaching staff and the rhythm of the game. Unlike some other sports, volleyball can change dramatically within a few minutes. One team can dominate a set and lose the next two with the same lineup. That unpredictability is exactly what bettors are looking for and this season did not disappoint with several surprising outcomes and upsets.
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What the 2025 Volleyball Odds Say So Far
Online betting platforms started posting volleyball odds for the FIVB Volleyball Nations League, which runs through much of the summer, and early lines for Olympic qualifiers later this year. There’s nothing new when it comes to favorites; Brazil, Poland, France, Italy and the US in men’s and Serbia, Brazil, China and Turkey in the women’s category. These teams are regulars on the podiums across all championships.
Here are the odds in most sportsbooks for Men’s Volleyball Nations League:
- Poland: +250
- Brazil: +300
- France: +400
- USA: +450
- Italy: +500
In the women’s competition, the betting market is a bit tighter:
- Serbia: +275
- Turkey: +300
- Brazil: +350
- Italy: +400
- China: +450
These odds are based on recent performances and do not reflect any upsets that we might expect from less known teams like Slovenia, or Argentina. Some of the national teams are famous for winning sets, or having long winning streaks which leaves the door open for excellent betting opportunities.
Best Underdog Teams to Watch in 2025
Underdogs are always fans darlings, while bettors recognize them as a massive chance to score. According to one of the biggest platforms in sports betting, Sportsbet, this year we have a few national teams that might be cooking a surprise.
- Japan, both men’s and women’s teams, are known for their speed, discipline and total devotion to teamwork. They might not have tall players like other teams, but they make up for it with quick reactions and smart positioning. Also, the Japanese are capable of defending the balls that most teams would just let hit the floor. This makes their opponents especially nervous, forcing them to make rushed decisions which lead to unforced errors.
Another quality of Japanese teams is their power to push their rival into playing five sets. No points are given on the silver platter when playing against Japan, every single one is well deserved. Japanese fight to the bitter end, even when the loss is inevitable.
This year, Japan’s men’s team beat France in a dramatic five-set match, winning 3-2 after falling 0-2 behind. This result alone is all you need to know if you’re looking to place a bet.
- Argentina’s men’s team thrives when their serve is working as expected. The aggressive serves that usually result in immediate points or very weak returns, have become their signature. When that part of their game is clicking, they can knock even top teams off balance.
Argentinians also show remarkable mental strength even in very stressful matches. Argentina has had several five-set thrillers where they outlasted more favored teams purely based on the ability and resilience to mentally stay in the set.
This year, Argentina beat France 3-1, showing the world that they are not going to be beaten easily. Something may be brewing in the Argentinian team that we are yet to see.
- The Dominican Republic’s women’s team has everything it takes to become great champions: stamina, power, speed, high jumps, strong returns and quick movements on the floor. All the ingredients are here; it’s just a matter of time when the ladies are going to find their winning game. For bettors, the Dominicans are gearing up to become a favorite and forever leave the underdog category.
For now, they remain inconsistent regardless of all the talent and skill in the team, and this is what gives them such great value when it comes to live betting. They’re also one of those teams that can lose the first set and still win the next two, so bettors who are familiar with their ups and downs can catch odd swings in their favor.
So far, the team continues to win sets over favorites, making them a moneyline and over/under excellent betting opportunities.
Betting Splits Reveal Where the Public is Leaning
Simply put, betting splits show us where most of the money is going, giving us a glimpse of how the betting public is feeling towards a certain match. In volleyball, splits often reveal a bias toward the big names.
For example, in a match between Poland and Slovenia in the men’s category, most people would place their bets on Polish guys winning without breaking a sweat. But seasoned bettors know that Slovenians are perfectly capable of stealing a set, or even a match if Poles take their foot off the gas, play with a rotating lineup or are faced with injuries. Also, Slovenia beat the USA earlier this month in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League and is set to face France. It might be an opportunity to bet on Slovenians to, at least, win a set.
These splits hold great value in live betting. If a heavy favorite drops the first set, you’ll often see public money rush in to bet on them to win the next set or the match outright, creating a sudden boost in odds for an underdog to win the set or match.
Many online betting platforms are making their betting split information available to the public. This data is especially helpful when paired with live stats where bettors can place wagers on longshots.
Betting Smarter in Volleyball
Betting on the outright winner may be tempting, but the smartest plays often lie in the sets. Volleyball tournaments are happening around the globe all summer, and we will surely see some lost sets, overturned results and major upsets. And keep an eye on the underdogs since they might not always win the match, but they consistently offer betting value.