What is BTTS in Betting? Both Teams to Score Strategy in Football

What Does BTTS Mean in Betting? A Complete Guide

The "Both Teams to Score" market, often shortened to "BTTS," is one of the most popular bets in football. The concept is very simple: you are betting on whether both teams in a match will score at least one goal or not. Unlike betting on a winner, the final scoreline doesn't matter as long as both sides find the net.

This guide will explain exactly what the BTTS market is, show examples of it in use, detail the different types of BTTS bets available, and provide a clear strategy for making smarter bets.

Both Teams to Score Betting Explained

The BTTS market comes with two straightforward options: “Yes” and “No”. The outcome of your bet is determined by what happens within the standard 90 minutes of the match, plus any injury time.

• BTTS “Yes”: If you bet on “Yes,” you win if both teams score one or more goals each. Final scores like 1-1, 2-1, 3-2, or 2-2 would all result in a winning bet.
• BTTS “No”: If you bet on “No,” you win if one or both teams fail to score. Final scores like 0-0, 1-0, 3-0, or 0-2 would all result in a winning bet.
  

A crucial rule to remember is that this bet only applies to the 90 minutes. If a knockout game is 0-0 after 90 minutes but finishes 1-1 after extra time, a BTTS "Yes" bet will still lose because the event did not occur within the specified timeframe.

Both Teams to Score in Action: A Clear Example

To demonstrate what we mean above, let’s use the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain as an example.

If a bettor believed that one of these teams would win in 90 minutes to nil, then they would choose BTTS “No”. Let's imagine the final scoreline was Chelsea 3-0 PSG. In this case, the BTTS "No" bet is a winner because only one team managed to score. This would be a full payout regardless of whether the bettor thought Chelsea or PSG would be the winner.

However, if during that match Gonçalo Ramos had converted his sitter from just a few yards out to make the score 3-1, the bet would have instantly lost, since both teams had now scored.

The Pros and Cons of BTTS Betting

The Both Teams to Score market is one of the more popular options punters use, with major bookmakers offering it well in advance of most games. However, like any bet, it has its distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

• Offers Good Value: This particular market usually offers really good value since it does not rely on just one team, but on both teams scoring.
• Your Bet is Live Until the End: As long as one team has yet to score, your "Yes" bet is still in with a chance right up until the final whistle.
• No Need to Pick a Winner: You don't have to worry about who wins the match, which is perfect for games between two evenly matched teams where the result is hard to predict.

Cons:

• Carries Extra Risk: While it doesn't rely on one team, the bet does carry an extra degree of risk because you need a specific scenario from both teams. We encourage you to conduct thorough research before placing any bets.
• Combined Bets Increase Risk: While combination markets like "BTTS & Match Result" may look appealing due to higher rewards, the risk will only increase with the more factors you have to rely on.
• Extra Time Doesn't Count: A goal in extra time won't save your bet, which can be frustrating in cup competitions.

Exploring Different Types of BTTS Markets

Beyond the standard "Yes/No" option, bookmakers offer several combination markets. These allow you to add other predictions to your BTTS bet, often for higher odds.

###: BTTS in Both Halves A high-risk, high-reward bet where you need both teams to score in the first half and both teams to score again in the second half. Selecting the “No” option will statistically be much safer, although will offer a much smaller reward.

BTTS & Match Result

A popular bet where you combine BTTS with the final result. This market is a bit safer to punt on, with it being more popular among betting on the team which is the ‘favourite’ and combining it with BTTS. For example, Manchester City vs Sunderland, you could bet on "BTTS Yes & Manchester City to Win". You may also bet on a draw, but this comes with a significant increase of risk.

BTTS & Over/Under Goals

This is a more popular combination of markets. It means you are predicting BTTS and the total number of goals being over or under a certain amount. This bet is popular and safest for matches expected to feature a lot of goals, like a game between Barcelona and Real Madrid, you may want to place a bet on “BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals” or “BTTS & Over 3.5 Goals”.

BTTS & Player to Score

This is another exceptionally risky market where you need both teams to score and a specific player to score as well. You should usually only use this market when it is a juggernaut side against a much weaker but competitive opposition, or when the game features a prolific striker.

Using our Manchester City example, you may bet on “BTTS & Erling Haaland to Score”, you may make the reward even greater if you select Haaland to score 2+ goals, although the risk will become much greater.

How to Develop a Winning BTTS Strategy

While these markets can be risky, conducting thorough research can significantly increase your chances of success. Here are some key strategies to consider.

When to Bet on BTTS 'Yes'

Look for games with the following characteristics:

• High-Scoring Teams: Choose a game where both teams average a high number of goals per game.
• Leaky Defenses: When two teams that score a lot but also concede frequently play each other, it's a prime scenario for BTTS.
• Attacking Key Players: Check if both teams have their star strikers fit and in form. The presence of a prolific goalscorer increases the chance of a goal.
• Head-to-Head History: Some fixtures, like the El Clasico, consistently produce goals from both sides.

When to Bet on BTTS 'No'

Look for the opposite scenarios:

• Strong Defenses: A team known for clean sheets (like a José Mourinho side of the past) is a strong candidate for a "No" bet.
• Low-Scoring Teams: If one or both teams struggle to score goals, the chance of a 0-0, 1-0, or 2-0 result is much higher.
• Key Attackers are Missing: If a team's main goalscorer is injured or suspended, their ability to find the net is significantly reduced.