Both Teams to Score Betting Guide - Complete Guide | OwnOdds

Both Teams to Score (BTTS) Betting Guide

A step-by-step, practical handbook for beginners and advanced bettors

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1. What Is Both Teams to Score (BTTS)?

Both Teams to Score is a simple but powerful football (soccer) market:

You bet on whether both teams will score at least one goal during the match.

• BTTS – Yes: You win if both teams score at least 1 goal (e.g., 1–1, 2–1, 3–2, 2–2, etc.).
• BTTS – No: You win if at least one team fails to score (e.g., 0–0, 1–0, 2–0, 3–0, 2–0, 0–1, etc.).

Key point: The result doesn’t matter—you only care whether each team scores or not.

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2. Why BTTS Is So Popular

BTTS is popular because:

• Easy to understand: No handicaps, no complex scorelines.
• You can win even if the underdog loses: A 3–1 loss for the underdog can still win a BTTS–Yes bet.
• Always “alive”: As long as there’s time left, a goal can save your bet.
• Works well with stats: Team scoring/conceding trends are easier to analyze than some other markets.

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3. Basic Types of BTTS Bets

3.1 Standard BTTS (Full-Time – 90 Minutes)

• Market name examples:
• “Both Teams to Score”
• “BTTS – Yes/No”
• Covers 90 minutes + injury time.
• Extra time and penalties (in cups) do not count unless explicitly stated.

Example:

• Match: Arsenal vs Tottenham
• Bet: BTTS – Yes @ 1.75
• Final score: 2–1 → Win (both scored).
• Final score: 0–0 → Lose (neither team scored).

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3.2 BTTS & Result (Match Winner + BTTS Combined)

You combine match outcome with BTTS in one bet:

• “Home Win & BTTS – Yes”
• “Draw & BTTS – Yes”
• “Away Win & BTTS – Yes”

Example:

• Match: Liverpool vs Newcastle
• Bet: Liverpool to Win & BTTS – Yes @ 3.20
• Final scores and outcomes:
• 3–1 → Win (Liverpool wins, both score)
• 1–0 → Lose (BTTS condition fails)
• 2–2 → Lose (Liverpool didn't win)

This has higher odds than standard BTTS because you’re adding another condition.

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3.3 BTTS in Both Halves

A niche, high-odds bet:

Both teams must score at least once in the first half and at least once in the second half.

• First half: 1–1
• Second half: 2–1
• Final: 3–2 → Win

If any half ends with one team failing to score (e.g., 1–0 in first half), you lose.

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3.4 BTTS in 1st Half or 2nd Half

You bet on BTTS but only within a specified half:

• BTTS – 1st Half: Both teams must score before half-time.
• BTTS – 2nd Half: Both teams must score after half-time.

Useful for:

• Teams that start fast → BTTS 1st half.
• Teams that score most after the break → BTTS 2nd half.

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3.5 BTTS & Over/Under Goals

Combined markets like:

• BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals
• BTTS & Over 3.5 Goals

Example: BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals

• Match: Inter vs AC Milan
• Bet: BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.10
• Final scores:
• 2–1 → Win (3 goals, both scored)
• 1–1 → Lose (only 2 goals)
• 3–0 → Lose (only one team scored)

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3.6 Team-Specific BTTS Variants

Some books offer:

• “Team A to score & concede” (essentially Team A side of BTTS)
• “BTTS – Team A only” in multi-leg builders

This is basically: Will this team be involved in a game where both teams score? but framed around one side.

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4. Step-by-Step: How to Place a BTTS Bet

Step 1: Choose Your Match

Pick a league you know reasonably well. Avoid guessing in obscure competitions.

Step 2: Open the BTTS Market

On a bookmaker site:

• Click on the match.
• Look for markets like “Goals” or “Both Teams to Score”.
• Select BTTS – Yes or BTTS – No.

Step 3: Check the Odds

Example:

• BTTS – Yes @ 1.80
• BTTS – No @ 2.00

This implies the book expects goals on both sides, but not overwhelmingly.

Step 4: Decide Stake Size

A simple rule for beginners:

• Risk 1–2% of your total bankroll per bet.

If your bankroll is £500:

• Typical BTTS stake: £5–£10.

Step 5: Confirm and Track

• Place the bet.
• Confirm in “My Bets”.
• Optionally, watch the match or follow live stats.

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5. Understanding Implied Probability in BTTS Odds

To bet smart, you must know what the odds imply.

Use:

Implied Probability = 1 / Decimal Odds

Example:

• BTTS – Yes @ 1.80

Implied probability: 1 / 1.80 ≈ 55.6%

• BTTS – No @ 2.00

Implied probability: 1 / 2.00 = 50%

The book’s combined implied probability is:

1. 55.6% + 50% = 105.6% → that extra 5.6% is roughly the bookmaker margin.

You only have an edge if your own estimated probability is better than the implied one.

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6. Core Factors to Analyze Before a BTTS Bet

Use this structured checklist before betting on BTTS.

6.1 Recent Team Form – Goals For & Against

Look at the last 5–10 matches for each team:

• BTTS Yes is more likely if:
• Team regularly scores and concedes.
• High average goals per game (e.g., 3+).
• BTTS No is more likely if:
• Team often keeps clean sheets.
• Team struggles to score; many 0–0, 1–0, 2–0 results.

Practical Example:

Team A last 5 league games: 2–1, 1–2, 3–2, 1–1, 2–2 → BTTS Yes in 5/5 matches.

Team B last 5 league games: 0–0, 1–0, 0–1, 2–0, 0–0 → BTTS Yes in 1/5 matches.

The raw trend suggests:

• Team A = BTTS-friendly.
• Team B = low-scoring, defensive.

This might push you towards BTTS – No unless other factors override.

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6.2 Home/Away Splits

Teams can behave very differently at home vs away:

• Home side: Might attack more aggressively.
• Away side: Might play more cautiously or focus on counters.

Check:

• Home BTTS rate for the home team.
• Away BTTS rate for the away team.

Example:

• Home team (at home): BTTS Yes in 7/10.
• Away team (away): BTTS Yes in 8/10.

Combined, this is a strong indicator toward BTTS – Yes.

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6.3 Playing Style & Tactical Approach

Look for:

• Attacking vs defensive mindset.
• High press vs low block.
• Wingers/fullbacks pushing high vs staying conservative.

BTTS – Yes style indicators:

• High pressing, fast transitions, lots of chances both ways.
• Offensive fullbacks, attacking midfielders, high defensive line.

BTTS – No style indicators:

• Low block, compact shape, risk-averse managers.
• Teams that defend deep and counter rarely.

Watch a match or highlights; read tactical analyses when possible.

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6.4 Motivation and Match Context

Context can completely flip probabilities.

• Title races & relegation battles: Teams may take more risks if they must win.
• Derbies: Often more intense, but can also be cagey—research the specific rivalry.
• Cup ties:
• First leg: Often cautious → BTTS No more likely.
• Second leg (if one team must chase): BTTS Yes more likely.
• Dead rubbers (nothing to play for): Can be open and chaotic or completely flat—check historical behavior.

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6.5 Lineups, Injuries & Suspensions

Key information:

• Star strikers out? Hurts BTTS Yes chances.
• Best defender or goalkeeper missing? Helps BTTS Yes.
• Midfield destroyer missing? Midfield becomes more open → more chances.

Tip: Wait for confirmed lineups (usually 60–75 minutes before kick-off) to refine your decision.

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6.6 Weather & Pitch Conditions

Severe weather can impact scoring:

• Heavy rain, strong wind, snow, terrible pitch → fewer goals on average.
• Hot conditions can slow tempo.

Use this as a tiebreaker, not a primary factor, but don’t ignore it for tight calls.

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6.7 Referee Tendencies

Some referees:

• Give more penalties (help BTTS Yes).
• Allow more physical play (could reduce attacking flow, or increase mistakes—context needed).

Websites track:

• Average fouls per game.
• Average yellow/red cards.
• Penalties per season.

Again, this helps fine-tune edge rather than define it alone.

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7. Basic BTTS Strategy for Beginners

Step 1: Focus on a Few Leagues

Start with 1–3 leagues you follow closely (e.g., Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A):

• You’ll understand styles, managers, and typical scoring patterns better.

Step 2: Use a Simple Stat Filter

Before even considering a match for BTTS Yes, require:

• Home team: BTTS Yes in ≥ 60% of last 10 home games.
• Away team: BTTS Yes in ≥ 60% of last 10 away games.

For BTTS No, reverse the logic:

• Each team involved in BTTS Yes in ≤ 40% of recent games.

This gives you shortlists and keeps you from forcing bets.

Step 3: Avoid Extremes at First

• Extremely low odds (e.g., 1.30 on BTTS Yes) often mean:
• You’re paying a huge margin, or
• Market is overestimating goal likelihood.
• Extremely high odds (e.g., 3.50+ on BTTS Yes) usually reflect real reasons: low-scoring leagues, defensive teams, etc.

Stick mostly to 1.60–2.20 range early on, where markets are more “normal”.

Step 4: Track Your Results

Create a simple sheet:

• Date
• Match
• League
• Bet (Yes/No, plus any combos)
• Odds
• Stake
• Result (W/L)
• Notes (why you bet, any learning)

Review every 20–30 bets:

• Are you better at BTTS Yes or BTTS No?
• Which leagues do you perform best in?
• Are your picks consistent with your strategy?

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8. Advanced BTTS Strategies

Once you understand basics and are tracking results, you can go deeper.

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8.1 Using Expected Goals (xG) for BTTS

Expected goals (xG) measures the quality of chances created and conceded.

For BTTS:

• Look at xG for and xG against each team over recent matches.
• High xG for + high xG against = ideal for BTTS Yes.

Example:

Over last 10 games:

• Team A: xGF 1.8, xGA 1.5 per game
• Team B: xGF 1.6, xGA 1.3 per game

This suggests both create and concede a lot of chances → BTTS Yes becomes a strong candidate, especially if odds are fair.

Where to find xG: public stats sites (FBRef, Understat, etc., depending on league).

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8.2 Modeling BTTS Probabilities (Poisson Approach)

A basic approach is using a Poisson model for goals.

Step-by-step concept (simplified):

• Estimate each team’s average goals scored and conceded.
• Adjust for:
• Attack vs defense strength.
• Home advantage.
• Use Poisson distribution to compute the probability for each possible scoreline.
• Sum probabilities of scorelines where both teams score to get BTTS Yes probability.
• Convert this to fair odds and compare with bookmaker odds.

You don’t need to become a data scientist, but understanding that:

• Market BTTS odds correspond to an underlying distribution of correct scores.
• If you can estimate that distribution more accurately than the bookmaker (even in a niche league), you gain an edge.

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8.3 Finding Market Inefficiencies

Look for overreactions or lazy pricing:

• High-profile teams: Public overestimates scoring → BTTS Yes overpriced, BTTS No undervalued.
• Example: Book automatically uses short BTTS Yes lines for big attacking clubs, even vs ultra-defensive teams.
• Low-profile leagues: Bookmakers might rely on generic models without deep data.
• Example: 2nd division in a smaller country where you follow team news more closely than the average market.

Your edge often comes from:

• Information you process faster or better than the average bettor.
• Specific leagues/teams you specialize in.

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8.4 Live/In-Play BTTS Betting

BTTS is excellent for live betting, especially BTTS Yes.

Key live indicators supporting BTTS Yes:

• High tempo, end-to-end play.
• Multiple shots on target, big chances, xG piling up.
• High defensive line, fast counters from both sides.
• Early goal → forces the other side to open up.

Example scenario:

• Match: Dortmund vs Leverkusen
• 25 minutes played, 0–0.
• Stats: 8 shots to 7, 3–3 shots on target, xG roughly 0.8–0.6.
• Odds for BTTS Yes have drifted from 1.60 pre-match to 1.90 in-play.

If your pre-match read was BTTS Yes and live data confirms an open game, 1.90 might be good value.

Caution: Avoid chasing BTTS Yes late (e.g., 70th minute 0–0) just because odds are high. You need real activity, not just the ticking clock.

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8.5 Building BTTS into Parlays/Accumulators

MANY bettors love BTTS accas. They are fun but dangerous.

To do it more intelligently:

• Only include matches passing your filters (recent BTTS stats, xG, injuries, etc.).
• Avoid loading 7+ legs of “BTTS Yes” at short odds just because they “look good”.
• Consider mixing:
• Some BTTS Yes
• Some BTTS No
• Some Over/Under spots

Always understand that multi-leg bets magnify variance. Use smaller stakes on accas than singles.

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9. BTTS – Yes vs BTTS – No: When to Choose Which?

9.1 When BTTS – Yes Makes Sense

Look for:

• Consistent scoring + conceding: Both teams regularly involved in high-scoring games.
• Attacking setups: 4-3-3, 3-4-3, attacking fullbacks.
• Must-win contexts: Promotion/relegation battles, chasing top four, etc.
• Key defensive absences: Missing central defenders, defensive mids, or goalkeeper.

Example case:

• Bundesliga: Freiburg vs Augsburg
• Freiburg home games: BTTS Yes 8/10.
• Augsburg away games: BTTS Yes 7/10.
• Both defences in bottom half; both attacks mid-table.
• BTTS Yes @ 1.75

This is the kind of profile where BTTS Yes is reasonable.

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9.2 When BTTS – No Makes Sense

Look for:

• One or both teams are very defensive
• One clearly struggles to score (especially away from home)
• Big favourite vs very weak underdog:
• Favourite likely to win to nil; underdog defends deep & barely attacks.
• Cautious match contexts:
• First leg cup ties, final-day “draw is enough” situations.

Example case:

• Premier League: Man City vs Newly Promoted Side
• City home: Keeps clean sheet in 60%+ of home games.
• Underdog away: Scores in only 30% of away games.
• BTTS No @ 1.90

If your research supports a routine 2–0 or 3–0, this can be a good BTTS No opportunity.

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10. Common Mistakes in BTTS Betting (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake 1: Overvaluing “On Paper” Attacking Power

Seeing two big attacking names and auto-betting BTTS Yes:

• Example: Real Madrid vs Barcelona → Books know everyone expects goals.
• Odds often reflect public sentiment more than pure value.

Fix: Check actual stats: current form, xG, injuries, tactical adjustments, motivation.

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Mistake 2: Ignoring Defensive Form

Some bettors only look at how many goals teams score, not how many they concede.

• A team can score a lot and keep many clean sheets.
• That makes BTTS Yes less reliable.

Fix: Always look at Goals For + Goals Against, or xGF + xGA.

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Mistake 3: Chasing BTTS Yes After an Early Goal

You see:

• 1–0 after 5 minutes.
• You think “this will finish 3–3” and auto-bet BTTS Yes.

But:

• Team that scored might sit deeper.
• Opponent might mentally collapse or be outmatched.

Fix: Use live stats: Are shots and chances continuing? Is the trailing team creating?

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Mistake 4: Emotional or Fan-Based Decisions

Backing BTTS Yes on your team because:

• “We never keep clean sheets.”
• “We always concede.”

Sometimes true, often exaggerated.

Fix: Log your bets. See if fan bias is distorting your decisions.

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Mistake 5: Ignoring Odds/Value

Correct thought: “This game is likely BTTS Yes.”

Wrong assumption: “Therefore I should bet it at any price.”

Even if BTTS Yes is 65% likely, if odds are 1.40 → implied 71.4%, you have a negative expectation.

Fix:

• Estimate a rough probability.
• Compare against implied probability from odds.
• Only bet when your edge is positive.

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11. Practical BTTS Examples & Walkthroughs

Let’s walk through two scenarios from start to finish.

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Example 1: Standard BTTS – Yes

Match: Leeds United vs Southampton (Championship)

Step 1: Pre-check Stats (Last 10 League Games)

• Leeds home:
• Average total goals per game: 3.2
• BTTS Yes: 7/10
• Southampton away:
• Average total goals per game: 3.0
• BTTS Yes: 8/10

Step 2: Styles & Context

• Both teams play attacking football.
• High pressing, fullbacks pushing high.
• Both chasing promotion play-off spots = motivation to win, less incentive to settle for draws.

Step 3: Team News

• Leeds:
• Main striker fit.
• One starting center-back out injured.
• Southampton:
• Main creator fit.
• First-choice goalkeeper missing (backup plays).

This tilts further toward both teams scoring.

Step 4: Odds

• BTTS Yes @ 1.70
• Implied probability ≈ 58.8%

You believe:

• Given stats, style, and team news, BTTS Yes chances are closer to 65–70%.

Your estimated edge > bookmaker implied probability. You place:

• Stake: 2% of bankroll.

Outcome scenarios:

• If it finishes 2–1, 1–1, 3–2 → you win.
• If 2–0 or 0–2, you lose but your decision was based on good process.

The focus should be on the process, not a single result.

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Example 2: BTTS – No

Match: Atletico Madrid vs Cadiz (La Liga)

Step 1: Pre-check Stats

• Atletico home:
• Concedes in only 3/10 home games.
• Many 1–0, 2–0 results.
• Cadiz away:
• Scores in just 4/10 away matches.
• Averaging 0.7 goals scored away.

Step 2: Styles & Context

• Atletico: Compact, controlled, strong defensively, especially at home.
• Cadiz: Typically sits deep, limited attacking threat; often tries to keep score down.
• Atletico in top-four race, needs wins but not necessarily huge scorelines.

Step 3: Team News

• Atletico defense full strength.
• Cadiz missing main striker.

Step 4: Odds

• BTTS No @ 1.85
• Implied probability ≈ 54.1%

Given everything, you estimate:

• BTTS No probability ≈ 60–65%.

You again have an edge in your model. You place:

• Stake: 1.5–2% of bankroll.

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12. Bankroll Management for BTTS Betting

Even with a good edge, poor staking can ruin you.

Basic rules:

• Flat staking: Use the same % per bet (e.g., 1–2%).
• Avoid doubling stakes after a loss (“Martingale”)—this leads to huge risk.
• Scale down stakes on:
• Accas
• High-variance combos (BTTS & Result, BTTS in both halves).

If your BTTS bets average 1.80 odds and you hit ~57–60% long-term, conservative staking preserves capital and compounds slowly.

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13. Building Your Own BTTS System (Step-by-Step)

You can turn this into a repeatable routine.

Step 1: Select Leagues

Pick 2–3 leagues where:

• Data availability is good.
• You follow news & games (easier to interpret stats).

Step 2: Stat Filters Per League

Define league-specific thresholds, for example:

• League A (high-scoring): require BTTS Yes ≥ 65% for candidates.
• League B (average scoring): BTTS Yes ≥ 55% for candidates.

Step 3: Weekly Shortlist

For each match:

• Check:
• Team BTTS rates (home/away splits).
• Avg goals per game.
• Filter out:
• Very low or very high odds.
• Matches with missing / uncertain data.

Build a shortlist of 5–10 candidate games.

Step 4: Deep Dive Each Candidate

Add:

• xG trends.
• Team news (injuries, suspensions).
• Tactical/motivation notes.
• Recent match reports if needed.

Remove any matches where something major contradicts your initial filter.

Step 5: Assign Rough Probabilities

For each match, decide:

• BTTS Yes % chance
• BTTS No % chance

This doesn’t need to be perfect—just consistent and honest.

Step 6: Compare With Odds

For each candidate:

• Convert bookmaker odds to implied probabilities.
• Bet only when your estimated probability is significantly higher than implied.

Example:

• Your BTTS Yes estimate: 62%
• Odds: 2.10 → implied ≈ 47.6%
• Clear value → take it.

Step 7: Track & Review

After 50–100 bets:

• Check ROI per league.
• Check whether your estimates are over-optimistic.
• Adjust filters or your probability ranges as needed.

This is how you iteratively improve.

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14. Summary: Turning BTTS from a Fun Market into a Skill Edge

To use BTTS effectively:

• Understand the market: It’s about whether both teams score, not who wins.
• Use stats intelligently:
• Goals for/against
• BTTS % home/away
• xG metrics when available
• Blend stats with context:
• Tactics, motivation, lineups, and match importance matter.
• Respect odds / value:
• Having a likely outcome is not enough; the price must be fair or better.
• Practice discipline:
• Stick to leagues you know.
• Use small, consistent stakes.
• Track your results and refine.

If you’d like, I can help you design a simple BTTS betting template (in spreadsheet form) with columns and formulas you can use to record and rate upcoming matches.