Both teams to score, or BTTS, is one of the most popular football betting markets, letting you bet simply on whether both sides will find the net. Understanding it adds a straightforward option to your betting. This guide explains both teams to score. It is general information and not betting advice, so always gamble responsibly and only stake money you can comfortably afford to lose.
What both teams to score is
Both teams to score (BTTS) is a market where you bet on whether both teams in a match will score at least one goal, answering simply yes or no. It does not involve the result. Understanding that BTTS is a yes-or-no bet on whether both sides find the net is the key idea, as it focuses purely on whether goals are scored at both ends, regardless of who wins, making it a simple and popular alternative to backing a team.
Yes or no
You bet either yes, that both teams will score, or no, that at least one will not. The bet is settled at the end of the match on whether both sides scored. Understanding that BTTS comes down to a straightforward yes or no, settled on whether both teams scored, helps you use it, as you simply decide whether you expect goals at both ends, with yes winning if both score and no winning if the match has a clean sheet for either side.
How it works
BTTS yes wins if both teams score at least once; BTTS no wins if either team fails to score, including 0-0, 1-0 or any clean sheet. Only whether both scored matters. Understanding that BTTS yes needs goals from both sides while no wins on any clean sheet helps you use the market, as the result and the number of goals beyond the first for each side are irrelevant; all that matters is whether each team managed to score at least once.
Why it is popular
BTTS is popular because it is simple, does not require picking a winner, and keeps you interested in a match for goals at both ends throughout. Understanding that BTTS appeals through its simplicity and its focus on goals rather than the result helps you see why it is so widely used, as it offers an easy, engaging way to bet on a match, keeping you invested in every goal at either end without needing to predict the outcome.
Combining with the result
You can combine BTTS with the match result, such as a team to win and both teams to score, for bigger odds. This links two outcomes in one bet. Understanding that BTTS can be combined with the result for a higher-paying bet helps you see a popular variation, as backing a side to win and both teams to score offers a larger return than either alone, though it requires both conditions to be met, making it harder to land.
Reading the odds
The odds on BTTS yes and no reflect how likely each is, based on the teams' scoring and defensive tendencies. The prices show which is favoured. Our guide on how to read betting odds explains odds. Understanding that the BTTS odds reflect the expected likelihood of both teams scoring helps you read the market, as the prices indicate whether the bookmaker leans towards both teams scoring or a clean sheet, based on the sides involved.
BTTS in accumulators
BTTS is popular in accumulators, where you combine BTTS yes selections across several matches for a big potential return. Our guide on accumulators covers these. Understanding that BTTS is often used in accumulators, linking several matches, helps you see a common way it is bet, as combining BTTS selections across a weekend's games is a popular way to chase a larger return, while carrying the usual high risk of accumulators where all selections must land.
The appeal of not needing a winner
A key appeal of BTTS is that you do not need to predict the winner, only whether both teams score, which can suit matches where the result is hard to call. Understanding that BTTS lets you bet without picking a winner helps you see its value, as in a match where either side could win, you may still have a clear view on whether both teams are likely to score, which BTTS lets you act on without needing to call the result.
Things to consider
When considering BTTS, bettors often look at the teams' scoring records and defensive form, though these are guides, not guarantees. There is no system that beats the market. Understanding that looking at scoring and defensive tendencies can inform a BTTS bet, but guarantees nothing, helps you use it sensibly, as football is unpredictable and even teams that usually score or concede can do the opposite, so no approach overcomes the uncertainty or the bookmaker's edge.
The edge applies
Like all markets, BTTS carries the bookmaker's margin, so it favours the bookmaker over time. Our guide on over/under goals betting covers a related market. Understanding that BTTS includes the bookmaker's edge keeps your expectations realistic, as its simplicity does not make it any more beatable; the margin is built into the yes and no prices, so the market favours the bookmaker over the long run like any other.
BTTS and goals markets together
BTTS is related to over/under goals, as both concern scoring, and some bettors consider them together when forming a view on a match. Understanding that BTTS and over/under goals both focus on scoring, and can be considered together, helps you see how the goals markets connect, as a view that a match will be high-scoring might point towards both BTTS yes and over the goals line, though each remains a separate bet with its own odds and edge.
A simple, popular market
Part of the appeal of both teams to score is how easy it is to understand and follow, which makes it a favourite among casual bettors and a common feature of accumulators. Its simplicity, however, does not change the fact that it favours the bookmaker. Our guide on how to bet on sports covers the basics. Understanding that BTTS is popular precisely because it is so straightforward helps you see why it features so widely, while remembering that an easy-to-understand market is not an easier-to-win one, as the same built-in edge applies as to every other bet.
Betting responsibly
BTTS is simple and engaging, but it still favours the bookmaker, so treat it as entertainment, not income. Set a budget, only stake what you can afford, and never chase losses. Our guide on how to gamble responsibly has practical tools. Understanding BTTS helps you bet knowledgeably, but keeping your betting within your means matters far more than any market or selection.
In short
Both teams to score (BTTS) is a simple yes-or-no market on whether both teams in a match will score, regardless of the result. Yes wins if both score; no wins on any clean sheet. It is popular for its simplicity, can be combined with the result or used in accumulators, and relates to the over/under goals markets. Looking at scoring and defensive form can inform it but guarantees nothing, and the edge applies, so always gamble responsibly.
Explore more in our Sports Betting guides.