What is BTTS? Both teams to score explained

· 1 min read

BTTS stands for “both teams to score”. It is one of the most popular football markets because you do not need to predict the winner, only whether each side finds the net at least once.

How the market works

  • BTTS: Yes wins if both teams score at least one goal, for example 1–1, 2–1 or 3–2.
  • BTTS: No wins if at least one team fails to score, for example 0–0, 1–0 or 3–0.

Only goals in normal time count, including stoppage time. Extra time and penalty shoot-outs are excluded unless the bookmaker states otherwise.

What makes BTTS likely

  • Two attacking sides that create plenty of chances.
  • Defences missing key players through injury or suspension.
  • A history of open games between the two teams.
  • Both teams needing a result, so neither can afford to sit back.

What makes BTTS unlikely

  • A big gap in quality, where the favourite may keep a clean sheet.
  • One side with a weak attack or a missing main striker.
  • Cup ties or derbies that tend to be cagey.
  • Bad weather or a poor pitch that slows the game down.

BTTS is often combined with the match result (“Arsenal to win and BTTS”) or with totals (“BTTS and over 2.5 goals”). These pay more but both parts must be right. In ice hockey and other sports the same idea exists, though it is less common.

When we pick BTTS in a preview, we explain why we expect both defences to be breached. You can see how our BTTS picks have done on the track record page.

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