Ask 100 bettors if they prefer favorites or underdogs, and 70% — if they're being honest — will say favorites. 

The lure of fan favorites is obvious: star players, elite scorers, and high-profile quarterbacks. "They're a 6-point favorite? Hell, they're going to win by 20 - lay it!" But smart handicapping and wagering for profit are about covering the spread. 

Many professional bettors, myself included, see greater value in underdogs — but what is it that makes these value plays so attractive? 

Diamonds in the Rough: Betting on Overlooked Teams

Overlooked teams and underdogs often go hand in hand. Overlooked teams are ones that might not have very good records, but possess characteristics that make them an under-the-radar play.

Perhaps it's a mediocre offense, backed by strong defensive statistics. They might not rack up many wins, but they keep games close.

Another characteristic is when teams are led by a coach who is astute on substitutions and gets the most out of his players. Spotting these mismatches requires a keen eye — and let's face it, many bettors aren't willing to dig that deep. 

Identifying Overlooked Teams

There are several more traits I'm on the hunt for when assessing underdog value. 

  • Strong spread trends: Examine how they perform as specific underdogs, such as +3.5 to +7, or as double-digit dogs.

  • Team-oriented: General managers construct teams with subtleties that don't show up on the stat sheet, such as unselfish players, team chemistry, and hustle. Stars get all the attention, but team-oriented squads often overachieve.

  • Head coach: Coaches move around, from college programs to the pros. Handicappers recognize that above-average coaches can be worth a few extra points each game, thanks to timely moves, the ability to identify the right roles for players, and the skills to motivate. 

Knowing what to do once you find an edge sports betting is just as important as identifying them in the first place. 

How to Utilize an Underdog's Hidden Value

There are wins on the final scoreboard and wins against the betting odds. Why is this underdog covering more often than not? For gamblers, the only wins that matter are against the spread. Two of the most overlooked elements are home field and a solid defensive unit. 

  • Home Underdogs: Home teams have far more incentive to play hard all game. Fans are cheering hard, and there's a sense of pride in defending their home turf. They also have situational advantages with short trips to the stadium, while visitors face all the difficulties of a road trip.

  • Defense: An underdog that plays tough defense has a better chance of keeping a final score close than one that is poor defensively, or even pulling the upset. Defensive edges apply to totals, as well. Bettors love OVERs, often pushing the total higher, overinflating the line, creating opportunities for sharp bettors on the UNDER. 

Combining a strong D, home court, and some added love from the oddsmaker is the holy trinity for bettors. Take this year's Charlotte Hornets in the NBA. Charlotte is a Top 10 defensive team in points allowed, while the offense is middle of the pack in scoring and in the bottom 10 in field-goal shooting. In January, after winning straight, they were home dogs to San Antonio. Their defense built a 17-point third-quarter lead on the way to a 111-106 win.

In addition, the game sailed UNDER the total of 228 between a pair of Top 10 defenses. It wasn't an anomaly. That was in the middle of a stretch for Charlotte, going 20-9 ATS as an underdog and 22-12 UNDER the total. 

Searching for Value and Pulling the Trigger 

Winning with underdogs isn’t about blindly fading the public — it’s about understanding why the market is mispricing a team and how betting strategies can exploit those gaps. The market consistently overprices favorites and undervalues teams that don’t look good on the surface, which creates opportunities in betting lines for those focused on betting on underdogs. If you’re willing to dig deeper, analyze the numbers, and make informed decisions with discipline, underdog bets stop being risky plays and start becoming profitable ones with a stronger chance of winning.

Sportsbooks often shade lines based on public perception, leaving hidden value for bettors who can identify value where others only see risk. There are money-making opportunities nightly with teams the betting public has overlooked—if you stay disciplined and strategic when you place bets. Find value where others hesitate, and these big dogs can turn long shots into consistent profitability.