Both Teams to Score Betting: The Guide for Beginners

Introduction: What is Both Teams to Score Betting?

Both Teams to Score betting – often abbreviated as BTTS – is one of the most popular football bets in the UK, loved by both casual punters and seasoned bettors alike.

Put simply, it’s a wager on whether both sides in a football match will score at least one goal during the regular 90 minutes (plus injury time, but excluding extra time or penalties).

• If both teams score, your BTTS bet wins.
• If either team fails to score, your bet loses.

For example:

• Manchester United 2 – 1 Chelsea → BTTS: Yes = Win
• Arsenal 0 – 0 Tottenham → BTTS: Yes = Lose
• Brighton 3 – 0 Crystal Palace → BTTS: Yes = Lose

It’s as simple as that – and that’s precisely why it’s so popular!

Why is Both Teams to Score Betting So Popular?

BTTS betting has exploded in popularity in recent years for several reasons:

✅ Simplicity – No complex handicap betting systems or goal spreads to worry about. Just “will both sides score or not?”
✅ Excitement – A BTTS bet can remain alive right until the final whistle. Even if a team is losing 5-0, a single goal can save your bet.
✅ Appeal Across Matches – Even low-profile games can be BTTS goldmines, not just Premier League clashes.
✅ Works for Neutral Fans – You don’t have to pick a winner. You’re simply cheering for goals at both ends.
✅ Decent Odds – BTTS “Yes” odds often sit between 4/6 and Evens in competitive fixtures, offering attractive value.

How Does Both Teams to Score Betting Work?

Let’s break it down step by step.

BTTS Market Explained

When you look at BTTS betting markets (like those on Oddschecker), you’ll usually see two options:

• BTTS – Yes
• BTTS – No

Example from Oddschecker:

• If you bet “Yes,” you win if both sides score at least once.
• If you bet “No,” you win if one or both sides keep a clean sheet.

Stakes and Winnings

Let’s say:

• You stake £10 on BTTS – Yes at 8/11.
• The final score is Newcastle 2 – 1 Leeds.

Both sides scored → your bet wins:

• Profit = £10 × (8/11) = £7.27
• Total return = £17.27 (£10 stake + £7.27 profit)

If the game ended Newcastle 2 – 0 Leeds, your BTTS Yes bet would lose.

Different Types of BTTS Bets

BTTS betting has evolved beyond the simple Yes/No market. Bookies now offer creative variations that can enhance both value and complexity.

Let’s dive into the main BTTS variations.

1. BTTS and Match Result

Also known as Win and Both Teams to Score.

Here, you combine two bets:

• Your chosen team wins the match.
• Both teams score.

Example:

• Bet: Arsenal to win & BTTS Yes at 3/1.
• Result: Arsenal 3 – 1 Wolves → Bet wins.
• But if Arsenal win 1 – 0 → Bet loses (because Wolves didn’t score).

This bet offers higher odds because it’s tougher to land.

2. BTTS in Both Halves

A far trickier variant:

• You’re betting that both teams will score in the first half and both will score in the second half.

Example:

• West Ham 1 – 1 Fulham at half time
• West Ham 2 – 1 Fulham full time

Only one goal for Fulham in the second half means the bet loses.

It’s rare, hence big odds (sometimes 16/1+), but highly volatile.

3. BTTS & Over/Under Goals

You combine BTTS with a total goals market.

Example:

• Bet: BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals at 6/4.
• Result: Liverpool 2 – 2 Aston Villa → Bet wins (both scored, total goals = 4).
• But Liverpool 2 – 0 Villa → Bet loses.

This is popular because BTTS games often feature higher goal totals.

4. BTTS in First Half Only

Here you’re betting that both teams will score in the first 45 minutes.

Example:

• Brentford 1 – 1 Everton at half time → bet wins.
• Brentford 1 – 0 Everton → bet loses.

These bets usually carry high odds due to low scoring trends in first halves.

5. BTTS in Second Half Only

Same concept, but only the second half matters.

• If both teams score after half-time, you win.

This is rare but can be useful if you expect a cagey first half. You can learn more about Half-Time / Full-Time betting here.

How to Research BTTS Bets

While BTTS betting looks simple, success comes from smart research. Let’s look at what to check.

Team Scoring Records

• Does a team consistently score?
• Do they concede regularly?

Example:

• In the 2024/25 Premier League:
  • Bournemouth: scored in 33/38 games.
  • Sheffield United: kept just 4 clean sheets all season.

Perfect BTTS candidates!

Home vs Away Form

Teams may score loads at home but struggle away.

Example:

• Aston Villa at home: BTTS Yes in 14/19 matches.
• Aston Villa away: BTTS Yes in only 7/19.

Check venue-specific trends.

Defensive Styles

Clubs with strong defensive managers (e.g. Sean Dyche’s Everton) might be BTTS No value bets, especially against weaker opposition.

Fixture Context

• Mid-table clashes late in the season can be goal fests.
• Relegation battles might be tense, with teams playing cautiously.
• Derby matches often see fiery, open play – good for BTTS.

Recent Head-to-Head

Some rivalries produce goals galore.

• Example: Liverpool v Spurs
  • BTTS Yes in 5 of their last 6 meetings (2023-25 seasons).

Practical Examples: BTTS in UK Football

Let’s look at how BTTS bets play out in real UK football scenarios.

Example 1 – BTTS Yes Wins

• Match: Manchester City v Wolves
• Score: Man City 3 – 1 Wolves

Both scored → BTTS Yes wins.

Example 2 – BTTS Yes Loses

• Match: Burnley v Brighton
• Score: Burnley 0 – 0 Brighton

No goals → BTTS Yes loses. BTTS No wins.

Example 3 – BTTS and Over 2.5

• Match: Tottenham v Newcastle
• Bet: BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals
• Score: Spurs 2 – 2 Newcastle

Both scored, total goals = 4 → bet wins.

If you want to learn more about the Over/Under Betting betting, check our guide.

Common Mistakes in BTTS Betting

1. Ignoring Team News

If a star striker is out, scoring chances drop.

2. Overestimating Big Matches

Some punters assume top clashes always produce goals. But pressure can tighten games.

E.g. 2022/23 Champions League Final: Man City 1 – 0 Inter → BTTS Yes loses.

3. Chasing Short Odds

Some BTTS Yes odds are as low as 4/9. Long-term, poor value unless combined with other markets.

BTTS Betting on Bookmakers

Nearly every UK bookmaker offers BTTS markets, from major firms like:

• Bet365
• Paddy Power
• William Hill
• Ladbrokes

…and many more.

Tip: Always compare odds across bookies (like on Oddschecker) for best value.

BTTS Betting and Accumulators

BTTS bets are hugely popular in accumulators:

• A “Both Teams to Score Acca” groups several BTTS Yes selections.
• Odds multiply for potentially big returns.

Example:

• Leg 1: BTTS Yes → 8/11
• Leg 2: BTTS Yes → 4/5
• Leg 3: BTTS Yes → 10/11

Treble pays approx. 4.5/1.

Remember: One losing leg = entire acca loses.

BTTS and In-Play Betting

In-play BTTS markets are thriving.

• If it’s 0-0 after 30 mins, odds on BTTS Yes may improve.
• Great option if you fancy late goals.

Example:

• Spurs v Leicester
• Still 0-0 on 65 mins
• BTTS Yes odds drift from 4/6 pre-match to 2/1 in-play.

Practical Tips for BTTS Betting

✅ Research scoring stats before betting.
✅ Avoid very short prices unless combined with other markets.
✅ Use odds comparison tools like Oddschecker.
✅ Check weather conditions – heavy rain can reduce scoring.
✅ Consider in-play for better prices if the game starts slowly.

Final Thoughts

Both Teams to Score betting is a brilliant way to keep matches exciting right up to the final whistle. Whether you’re watching the Premier League, Championship, or even lower leagues, BTTS betting offers a thrilling ride for punters who love goals at both ends.

But like all betting, it demands research, discipline, and realistic expectations. So the next time you’re scanning the fixture list, ask yourself: “Can both teams find the net today?”

Where to go next on our site

• Our Betting Glossary and betting terms explained for the UK
• Best betting sites in the UK – tested and verified reviews of the best bookmakers in the UK,
• Best free bets offers – clear analysis of self-tested welcome offers for new customers,
• Football betting guides – bookmakers reviews on football and soccer betting.

Safer‑gambling resources

• GAMSTOP self‑exclusion – register free to block online gambling accounts. (Gambling Commission)
• National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) – 0808 8020 133, 24/7. (GamCare)
• NHS: Help for problems with gambling – official support and clinic info. (nhs.uk)
• GambleAware – advice, tools and signposting to treatment. (GambleAware)

Compliance note on scope: This guide focuses on Great Britain under the Gambling Act 2005, regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. If you’re in Northern Ireland, check local arrangements before you bet. 

Where to go next on our site

• Best betting sites in the UK – tested and verified reviews of the best bookmakers in the UK,
• Best free bets offers – clear analysis of self-tested welcome offers for new customers,
• Football betting guides – bookmakers reviews on football and soccer betting.

Safer‑gambling resources

• GAMSTOP self‑exclusion – register free to block online gambling accounts. (Gambling Commission)
• National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) – 0808 8020 133, 24/7. (GamCare)
• NHS: Help for problems with gambling – official support and clinic info. (nhs.uk)
• GambleAware – advice, tools and signposting to treatment. (GambleAware)

Compliance note on scope: This guide focuses on Great Britain under the Gambling Act 2005, regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. If you’re in Northern Ireland, check local arrangements before you bet. 

This guide was created with AI assistance and reviewed by a human editor to ensure accuracy and clarity. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not encourage gambling.

FAQs on Both Teams to Score Betting