What is BTTS in Soccer Betting? Both Teams to Score Betting Guide

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Trevor Jones

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Trevor Jones is an expert in iGaming with a passion for writing US sports, such as football and basketball, in particular. He is extremely knowledgeable about US gambling regulations and has previously contributed articles to Augusta Free Press, Tech Report, Basketball Insiders and Legal Sportsbooks. He is an avid sports and betting enthusiast and a huge fan of the Golden State Warriors, though follows all of the major sports leagues.

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Neil Roarty Senior iGaming Journalist

Neil is a gambling industry veteran with over 15 years experience as a content writer, editor and speaker at events. He has a Masters degree in English Literature and Philosophy and has combined this analytical inquisitiveness with a passion for sports betting and casino gaming. Neil started his career with Bettingpro.com and helped build not only that site but various others such as LiveTennis.com, LiveDarts.com and numerous other sports informational sites, including GG.co.uk and RacingTips.com He then made the transition to the North American market, working both in the UK and in New Jersey to launch various sports betting and casino sites, including AmericanBettingExperts and NewAmericanCasinos. Working with regulators, Neil has helped to review sports betting sites and also test the regulated betting apps in a professional capacity. He now works almost exclusively in the US market and is one of the main reviewers and fact checkers on SportsLens gambling content. He also speaks at various gambling conferences including ICE, iGB Live and SBC Americas and has contributed to GamblingInsider, EGR Magazine and a number of others in a consulting capacity.

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Updated 22 Sep 2023

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Both teams to score, often abbreviated to BTTS, is a popular type of sports betting market, most often used in soccer, in which you predict whether or not both teams will score within a game. If you select the yes option and both teams score, your bet wins; if only one team or neither team scores, your bet loses. So what is BTTS in soccer betting in a nutshell? Predicting whether or not both teams will score a goal.

Both Teams to Score Betting Rules

Now that you understand on a basic level how BTTS works, let’s consider some of the primary rules or other points to consider of the both teams to score betting market. 

Bet Outcome:

• If you choose the ‘yes’ selection and both teams score at least one goal each, your bet is considered a winning bet. If you have selected ‘no’, it would be a loser.
• If you have selected ‘yes’ and only one team or neither team scores a goal, your bet is considered a losing bet. If, on the other hand, you chose ‘no’, your bet would be a winner.

Match Result Irrelevant:

• The actual outcome of the match (win, draw, or loss) is irrelevant to the BTTS bet; only the goals scored by each team matter.

Own Goals:

• Own goals are generally considered in BTTS bets, meaning if a team scores an own goal, it still counts toward the “both teams to score” outcome. In addition, do note that the own goal doesn’t count towards the team that conceded it. So, it doesn’t matter who scored it, and only the final scoreboard is taken into account.

Void Bets and Postponed Matches:

• If a match is postponed or canceled, the bet might be voided or settled according to the rules of the bookmaker. So, don’t forget to check the specific terms and conditions of the sportsbook you are using.

Accumulators and Combos:

• You can include BTTS selections in accumulator bets (parlays), where you combine multiple bets into one. All selections must be successful for the accumulator to win.

Variations:

• Some bookmakers might offer variations of the BTTS market, such as “BTTS and Win” (predicting both teams to score and the selected team to win) or “BTTS in Both Halves” (both teams score in both the first and second halves)

Does BTTS count in Overtime?

In most cases, Both Teams to Score (BTTS) bets do not count in overtime (extra time) during a soccer match. These bets are typically settled based on the regular 90 minutes of play (plus any additional time added by the referee for stoppages), excluding any extra time or penalty shootouts that might occur in knockout competitions.

If a BTTS bet is successful during the regular 90 minutes, it is considered a winning bet, regardless of whether the match goes into extra time or penalties. In addition, if a match ends in a draw during the regular time and your BTTS bet wins, it would still be considered a winning bet even if neither team scores in the extra time.

Why is BTTS Betting Popular?

BTTS betting has gained popularity due to its straightforward nature and the excitement it adds to soccer matches. Bettors simply predict whether both teams will score at least one goal each, making it appealing for those who focus on goals rather than match outcomes. 

This type of bet thrives in high-scoring games and offers opportunities for accumulator bets. Top offshore betting sites provide exciting odds on BTTS markets to encourage bets on them especially during live betting. With in-play options and a chance to engage with online communities for insights, BTTS betting enhances the thrill of watching matches, although responsible gambling is essential.

Pros and Cons of BTTS Betting in Soccer

The BTTS betting market in soccer is one of the most popular around. It’s been a staple option for most gamblers over the years. It basically only has pros to it, but there are a few areas of this type of betting market that perhaps make it slightly less appealing than others. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons. 

Betting Markets that Include BTTS

BTTS is essentially its own betting market, but there are a few variations on the market itself. So, here are some of the other BTTS markets you can use.

BTTS (Both Teams to Score): This is the simplest form of the market. You bet on whether both teams will score during the match or not.

BTTS and Result: In this market, you not only predict if both teams will score, but you also predict the result of the match (home team win, away team win, or draw). For example, you might bet on “BTTS and Home Team Win” if you think the home team will win and both teams will score. The match to draw and BTTS would have been a great bet for the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup final between Argentina and France where the match was 2-2 after 90 mins.

BTTS in Both Halves: This market involves predicting whether both teams will score in both the first half and the second half of the match.

BTTS and Over/Under Goals: In this market, you combine the BTTS prediction with an over/under bet on the total number of goals scored in the match. For example, “BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals” means you’re betting that both teams will score, and there will be at least three goals in total.

BTTS and Win to Nil: This market involves predicting that one team will win the match while the other team fails to score. For instance, you might bet on “Home Team Win to Nil” if you believe the home team will win and the away team won’t score.

BTTS and Both Teams to Score in Both Halves: This market combines the BTTS prediction with the expectation that both teams will score in both halves of the match.

Tips for Both Teams to Score Betting

Before you start using the exciting BTTS betting market for soccer betting, you might want to consider a few of our tips to get you started. So, here are a few useful insights into soccer betting with the BTTS market. 

Research Team Form and Statistics

Before placing a BTTS bet:

1. Research the form of both teams involved in the match.
2. Look at their recent performances, scoring records, and defensive capabilities.
3. Analyze their past matches to identify patterns of scoring and conceding goals.

Team News and Lineups

Check for any team news or lineup changes that could impact the match’s dynamics. Injuries to key players, suspensions, or changes in formations can influence a team’s ability to score or defend effectively.

Head-to-Head History

Consider the historical head-to-head record between the two teams. Look for trends in previous meetings, especially in terms of goal-scoring patterns.

Home and Away Performance

Take into account the home and away performance of both teams. Some teams may be more prolific scorers at home but struggle to score on the road, and vice versa.

Goalkeeper and Defensive Form

Assess the goalkeepers’ recent form and the defensive performance of both teams. A strong defense can reduce the likelihood of BTTS outcomes.

Recent Goals Scored and Conceded

Look at the number of goals both teams have scored and conceded in their recent matches. Teams that frequently involve high-scoring matches or have leaky defenses are more likely candidates for BTTS bets.

Cup Competitions and Motivation

Consider the type of competition the match is part of. In cup competitions or knockout rounds, teams might adopt more defensive strategies, leading to a considerable change in the chances of BTTS outcomes.

Check Odds and Value

Always compare the odds offered by different bookmakers to find the best value for your BTTS bet. Look for matches where you believe the odds don’t accurately reflect the likelihood of both teams scoring.

Can you Parlay BTTS Selections?

Yes, you can absolutely parlay BTTS (Both Teams to Score) selections. Parlay, also known as an accumulator or combo bet, involves combining multiple individual bets into a single wager. If all the individual bets within the parlay are successful, the bettor wins the parlay, which typically offers higher odds and potentially larger payouts than single bets.

When creating a parlay with BTTS selections, you would be selecting matches where you believe both teams will score and combining them into one bet. For each match, you’d choose the BTTS option, indicating that you expect both teams to score during the game.

Can you Bet on Both Teams to Score In-Play?

Yes, you can place bets on Both Teams to Score (BTTS) in-play during a live football (soccer) match. In-play betting, also known as live betting or in-running betting, allows you to place wagers on various outcomes of a match while it is still ongoing. This includes betting on whether both teams will score, even after the match has started.

Does the Competition Affect the BTTS Odds?

Yes, the competition or league in which a football (soccer) match is taking place can affect the Both Teams to Score (BTTS) odds. Different leagues and competitions have varying styles of play, team strengths, defensive strategies, and historical trends that can influence the likelihood of both teams scoring in a match. As a result, bookmakers adjust the BTTS odds based on these factors.

Other Sports That Offer BTTS Betting

While “Both Teams to Score” (BTTS) betting is most commonly associated with football (soccer), the concept of both teams scoring can also be applied to other team sports, leading to similar betting markets in those sports. Here are a few examples of other sports that offer similar BTTS-style betting options:

American Football: In American football, you can bet on whether both teams will score a touchdown during the game. This concept is similar to BTTS in soccer. Some sportsbooks might offer variations of this market, such as “Both Teams to Score a Touchdown” or “BTTS – Yes/No.”

Basketball: In basketball, you can bet on whether both teams will score a certain number of points during the game. For example, you might bet on “Both Teams to Score Over 100 Points.”

Ice Hockey: In ice hockey, you can bet on whether both teams will score a goal during the game. This market is often referred to as “Both Teams to Score” or “BTTS.”

Rugby: In rugby, similar to American football, you can bet on whether both teams will score a try (or a certain number of tries) during the match.

Handball: Handball is another team sport where you can bet on whether both teams will score a certain number of goals during the game.

Field Hockey: Like ice hockey, you can bet on whether both teams will score a goal during a field hockey match.

Water Polo: In water polo, you can bet on whether both teams will score goals during the game.