What is Both Teams to Score in Betting: BTTS Explained

A both teams to score bet is a popular way to bet on a football game that doesn’t include picking a match result. 

The both teams to score market, often abbreviated to BTTS, has two options; ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Only the first 90 minutes count (and any injury time), if the game goes into extra time or penalties those periods of play do not count. 

How Does a BTTS Bet Work?

BTTS Yes/No examples: Here are two examples of both teams to score football betting covering yes and no bets.

A BTTS yes bet is placed on a fixture between Liverpool and Everton. Everton take the lead after 10 minutes but Liverpool equalise soon after, at this point the bet is a winner irrespective of what happens over the remainder of the game. As long as both teams have scored the bet is a winner.

A BTTS yes bet can provide an early win, or it can keep punters waiting until the last moment. Liverpool could open up a 3-0 lead and hold on to that deep into injury time, at this point the bet is not winning but Everton then score with the last kick of the game and at 3-1 the bet wins.

A BTTS no bet requires at least one team not to score. If either Liverpool or Everton win 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 and so on the bet would win. It would also be a winning bet if the game finished 0-0, so neither side has scored. In a nutshell, that is BTTS explained. 

What are the Popular BTTS Variants?

The BTTS Yes/No market is fairly straightforward but there are a few variations available, some of which are covered below. 

1. BTTS and Win: The BTTS and Win market requires both teams to score and a correct match result to be a winning selection. For example, if Team A are backed in the BTTS and Win market and they claim a 2-1 victory then the bet wins, but if they win and keep a clean sheet then the bet doesn’t win. As this bet requires two outcomes to be met, they pay at significantly higher odds than a simple BTTS bet would on the same fixture.  
2. BTTS in Both Halves: Backing both teams to score in both halves is similar to a standard BTTS bet but both teams must score in both halves. If the score is 1-1 at half time and 2-2 at full time, the BTTS in both halves yes bet would win. If the score is 1-1 at half time and 2-1 at full time, a BTTS in both halves bet would not be a winner.
3. BTTS in the First Half: BTTS in the first half essentially the same as a BTTS bet but crucially only the first half counts, and should be viewed as full time in terms of the bet. 

What Key Statistics Should I Look at for BTTS?

There are a few statistics to consider when it comes to BTTS football betting, such as:

1. BTTS Percentage: If a high percentage of recent matches involving either Team A or Team B have seen both teams score, or both are involved in a lot of games with goals at both ends, this could be a good indicator that a BTTS yes bet is a good angle.
2. Goals Scored/Conceded: If a team is scoring and/or conceding on average over a goal per-game, they could be a good candidate for a BTTS bet.
3. Clean Sheet/Failed to Score Rate: Is one team a clean sheet specialist? If so, they may be a good option for a BTTS no selection - unless they are playing a higher-ranked team or a side with a particularly strong attack.
4. League Trends: Historically some leagues are more ‘entertaining’ than others, as far as both teams scoring is concerned. Traditionally Germany’s Bundesliga sees a higher percentage of games where both teams score than Italy’s Serie A, but it is probably better to focus on the teams involved as a general rule rather than the competition. 

How Does BTTS Fit into an Accumulator Bet?

It is possible to do a BTTS accumulator where all the legs are BTTS bets. Another option is to include one or two BTTS selections alongside other markets, such as match result or over/under 2.5 goals. BTTS bets are popular in accumulators as they can provide a winning leg of a multiple before full time, and they may offer relatively good odds.

How Do I Place a BTTS Bet?

Placing a BTTS bet is generally straightforward. Simply open up the fixture list on the bookmakers’ website, click into the match, find the BTTS market and select either ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Some sportsbooks may even have the option to view the coupon as BTTS bets, where each fixture will have the yes and no odds in one long list.