BTTS (Both Teams To Score): The Complete Guide to 'Both Teams to Score' Betting
Discover everything about BTTS betting: how it works, key statistics, winning strategies, and common mistakes to avoid.
BTTS: The Complete Guide to 'Both Teams to Score' Betting
The BTTS (Both Teams To Score) bet, or "Both Teams to Score," is one of the most popular types of football bets. Easy to understand but requiring careful analysis, let's explore how to master it.
What is BTTS?
BTTS stands for "Both Teams To Score" in English.
Simple Principle
You bet on both teams scoring at least one goal during the match.
Two Options
BTTS Yes (Both teams score)
- Team A and Team B each score at least 1 goal
- Possible scores: 1-1, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, etc.
BTTS No (At least one team does not score)
- At least one team ends with 0 goals
- Possible scores: 0-0, 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, etc.
Concrete Examples
✅ BTTS Yes – Winning Bets
Arsenal 2 - 1 Manchester United
- Arsenal scored ✓
- Manchester United scored ✓
- Bet won!
Liverpool 3 - 2 Chelsea
- Liverpool scored ✓
- Chelsea scored ✓
- Bet won!
Tottenham 1 - 1 Aston Villa (draw)
- Tottenham scored ✓
- Aston Villa scored ✓
- Bet won!
❌ BTTS Yes – Losing Bets
Manchester City 3 - 0 Brighton
- Manchester City scored ✓
- Brighton did NOT score ✗
- Bet lost
Newcastle 0 - 0 Crystal Palace
- Neither team scored ✗
- Bet lost
Everton 0 - 1 Fulham
- Everton did NOT score ✗
- Fulham scored ✓
- Bet lost
Key Statistics to Analyse
1. Average Goals Scored per Match
For the home team:
- Average goals scored at home
- Average goals conceded at home
For the away team:
- Average goals scored away
- Average goals conceded away
Example:
- Arsenal at home: 2.3 goals scored, 0.9 goals conceded
- Liverpool away: 1.8 goals scored, 1.2 goals conceded
- BTTS likely ✓
2. BTTS Percentage for the Season
Some teams have matches where BTTS occurs very frequently.
Example: Premier League 2023-24 (illustrative data):
- Tottenham: BTTS in 70% of matches
- Brighton: BTTS in 65% of matches
- Manchester City: BTTS in 45% of matches (strong defence)
3. Recent Results (Current Form)
Analyse the last 5 matches of each team.
Example: Arsenal
- Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea (BTTS Yes)
- Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal (BTTS Yes)
- Arsenal 2-0 Everton (BTTS No)
- Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal (BTTS Yes)
- Arsenal 4-1 Wolves (BTTS Yes) Result: 4/5 matches with BTTS = 80% → Strong trend
4. Head-to-Head History
How did the last matches between these two teams end?
Example: Liverpool vs Manchester United (last 5 matches):
- Liverpool 3-0 Manchester United (BTTS No)
- Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool (BTTS Yes)
- Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United (BTTS Yes)
- Manchester United 1-3 Liverpool (BTTS Yes)
- Liverpool 1-0 Manchester United (BTTS No) Result: 3/5 = 60% BTTS
When to Bet on BTTS Yes?
✅ Positive Indicators
1. Two Strong Attacks
- Both teams score regularly
- Many quality forwards
2. Weak or Leaky Defences
- Both teams concede often
- Known defensive issues
3. High-Stakes Match
- Derby, end of season, European qualification race
- Teams must attack
4. Offensive Playing Style
- Teams that play forward
- Few matches with 0-0 or 1-0
Example of an Ideal BTTS Yes Match Tottenham vs Brighton
- Tottenham: 1.8 goals scored/match, 1.3 conceded
- Brighton: 2.0 goals scored/match, 1.4 conceded
- History: 75% BTTS in last 5 matches
- Stakes: European qualification for both BTTS Yes Odds: 1.75 Analysis: ✅ Excellent BTTS Yes bet
When to Bet on BTTS No?
✅ Indicators for BTTS No
1. Very Strong Defence
- One team concedes very few goals
- Frequent clean sheets
2. Very Weak Attack
- One team rarely scores
- Offensive problems
3. Unbalanced Match
- Big difference in level
- Risk of a lopsided score (3-0, 4-0, etc.)
4. Asymmetric Stakes
- One team must attack, the other can defend
Example of an Ideal BTTS No Match Manchester City vs Burnley
- City: Solid home defence (0.3 goals conceded/match)
- Burnley: Weak away attack (0.7 goals scored/match)
- History: 70% of matches with BTTS No BTTS No Odds: 1.60 Analysis: ✅ Good BTTS No bet
Advanced Strategies
1. BTTS in the First Half
Riskier but higher odds. BTTS 1st Half Yes:
- Both teams score before half-time
- Odds generally between 3.00 and 5.00 When to Bet?
- Two teams that start matches quickly
- Open match context from the beginning
2. BTTS Combined with Over/Under
Example:
- BTTS Yes + Over 2.5 goals
- If both score AND there are 3+ goals: Bet won
- Combined odds often attractive (2.50 - 3.50) Ideal Match:
- Two strong attacks
- Two weak defences
- History of eventful matches
3. Live BTTS (In-Play Betting)
Strategy:
- Wait for the first 20 minutes
- If 0-0 but many chances, BTTS odds increase
- Bet if both teams create chances Advantage: Better odds than pre-match Risk: Odds can change very quickly
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ 1. Betting on BTTS Based Only on Attractive Odds
Bad Example: "The BTTS Yes odds are 2.30, I'll bet!" Good Example: "I analysed the stats, BTTS is likely. The 2.30 odds are good."
❌ 2. Ignoring Match Context
Example: Manchester City plays against a League Two team in the FA Cup.
- City will dominate and likely win 3-0 or 4-0
- BTTS No more likely
❌ 3. Relying Only on Recent Results
5 matches with BTTS do not guarantee the 6th will be the same. Analyse:
- Were the opponents strong or weak?
- Were there special circumstances?
❌ 4. Forgetting About Absences
A key striker being injured can completely change the outcome. Example:
- Liverpool without Salah = Less effective attack
- Can reduce the probability of BTTS Yes
❌ 5. Betting on Every Match
BTTS is not suitable for every match. Be selective!
BTTS Statistics by League
Average BTTS Percentage by League (2023-24)
Bundesliga: ~55% (Most offensive league) Premier League: ~52% Serie A: ~48% Ligue 1: ~45% La Liga: ~42% Conclusion: The Bundesliga is the most BTTS-friendly league.
Calculating BTTS Probability
Simplified Method
Formula:
P(BTTS) = P(Team A scores) × P(Team B scores)
Example:
- Team A has a 75% chance to score
- Team B has a 70% chance to score P(BTTS): 0.75 × 0.70 = 52.5% Fair Odds: 1 / 0.525 = 1.90 If the offered odds are 2.10, it's a good bet!
Practical Tips
✅ Checklist Before Betting on BTTS
- I checked the average goals for both teams
- I analysed the last 5 matches of each team
- I reviewed the head-to-head history
- I considered important absences
- I evaluated the match context (stakes, weather, etc.)
- The offered odds match my estimated probability
💡 Tip: The Tracking Table
Create a table to track your BTTS bets:
| Date | Match | BTTS | Odds | Stake | Result | Profit/Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/01 | Arsenal-Man United | Yes | 1.85 | £10 | 2-1 ✓ | +£8.50 |
| 16/01 | Liverpool-Chelsea | Yes | 1.90 | £10 | 3-0 ✗ | -£10 |
This allows you to analyse your performance and adjust your strategy.
Conclusion
BTTS betting is simple in appearance but requires rigorous analysis. Keys to success: ✅ Analyse both offensive and defensive statistics
✅ Check the recent form of both teams
✅ Consider the context and stakes
✅ Be selective, don't bet on every match
✅ Compare odds to find value Golden Rule: A good BTTS bet requires that both teams have a real chance to score.
Ready to go further? Discover our guide on Over/Under to master betting on the number of goals.