It will always remain a debate on whether betting on the favorite or underdog is the best way to place stakes at the online sportsbook.  Of course this should not be a black-and-white issue, for sometimes the underdog wins, and sometimes they don't. 

One of the better ways to look at the matter is to decide when to make bets on the underdog and favorite. For making online sports bets on the underdog, it is more advantageous to place a bet later on.  This is when the most action usually comes in for the favorites, since square bettors tend to bet more on favorites near the end of the betting window. 

Conversely, betting on favorites should be done early in the betting window offered by the sportsbook.  This is when the pro bettors are putting heavy money on the points, which you may be smart to do as well.

Although this little formula should not be set in stone, it is a good general guideline that can be used to pinpoint online betting patterns at the least. And if you really must know whether the favorite of underdog is most consistently smarter bet, the majority of professionals will say to bet on the underdog when they are playing at home.  It is indeed true that underdogs consistently prove to play better in front of their fans, especially when they are slim underdogs.  Even big underdogs often get the upset win in front of their home crowd, which can pay off very nicely if the odds are secured at the right time.