Football betting owes a lot to Both Teams to Score (BTTS). It was one of the first to move away from the standard match result or correct score, showcasing what could be done within the industry. As the market has grown, BTTS stats now play a pivotal role in understanding how to leverage trends, dive into analytics and ultimately find a bit of value along the way. Of course, we’ll tell you how it all works and what you need to do to turn aimless punts into perfectly crafted, data-driven bets.
What Are BTTS Stats & Why Are They Relevant?
Before we geek out on the numbers, let’s quickly highlight what Both Teams to Score means.
INFO
Both Teams to Score is all about goals scored by each team in a match. There are two options: Yes and No. BTTS Yes requires both teams to grab at least one goal each. BTTS No is when one or both teams fail to score. The result of the game is irrelevant, as all we’re looking for are goals for this market. Pretty simple, right?
When we start looking at Both Teams to Score stats, this will show how frequently both teams score in a single game. It’ll be represented as a percentage. For example, if a team's last 10 games have had six instances where both teams score, it’ll be 60%.
The numbers show us the balance between a team's attack and defence. High BTTS stats indicate the team scores and concedes a lot. Low BTTS statistics highlight either a strong defence or a misfiring attack.
It’s a super popular betting market, as you don’t need to work out a potential match result, which can be tricky at best. All you need is goals, which we’d argue are easier to predict and a lot more exciting.
How Do BTTS Stats Influence Betting Markets?
The bookies use BTTS stats liberally to create markets. They’re a shrewd bunch, so there are lots of metrics and algorithms that go into it, but playing style and form are two key areas that will influence the odds that we, as punters, can target.
So, if two free-scoring teams who are shaky at the back are playing, the odds for BTTS Yes will be short. The flip side is when a game with a rock-solid defence against a goal-shy attack takes the field, meaning that BTTS No will be the favoured outcome.
Team news is another key consideration for the bookies. If a top striker like Man City’s Erling Haaland is missing, the likelihood of them scoring reduces. Conversely, if Arsenal’s centre-back William Saliba isn’t in the team, they’ll be more likely to concede. So, while even the best BTTS stats today play a role, there’s a human element to these markets as well.
Understanding BTTS Stats in Football Analytics
We can look at basic percentages until the cows come home, but we need a deeper understanding of the analytics to better predict a team to score. Expected goals (xG) is our go-to here, and it’s a metric that we highly recommend you get cosy with.
What xG is showing us is the probability that a team will score a goal. It uses tons of data points, which we don’t really need to worry about, and instead, we can just take xG on its own merits.
Let’s run through a quick example of how that works.
Liverpool has an xG of 1.8 goals per game and Chelsea 1.2. Both are over one, so both are expected to score. What we need to do next is work out the likelihood of them not scoring. Liverpool’s 1.8 xG would be around 15%, and Chelsea’s 1.2 would be at 25%. We can combine these numbers (15% + 25% = 40%) and subtract that from 100% to get a 60% likelihood of Both Teams to Score today.
Advanced Metrics: Expected BTTS Explained
Expected BTTS isn’t what we would consider a standard betting metric. You’re not going to find this on the stats sheet, but we can link this to xG and create a potential scoring outcome. The concept is that if you know how many goals a team should score or concede (don’t forget, we need both for Yes), you can simulate the result.
If the game in question has two teams averaging 1.5 goals scored per game, it doesn’t mean they will score every game, but the probability of neither scoring is low. In theory, teams that have high xG for and relatively high xG against are prime candidates for BTTS.
Once we’ve created the most plausible outcome using football stats for BTTS, we need to find value. To do this, we compare implied probability (the likelihood of an event happening as a percentage) to the odds. A game with an expected BTTS of 70% would have betting odds of 4/9. Therefore, odds higher than this would be considered a value bet.
Does BTTS Relate to Other Football Statistics?
There are three main stats that we need for BTTS: goals scored, goals conceded and clean sheets. We’re stating the obvious here, but teams that score a lot and concede a lot will have high BTTS percentages and low odds. Can you find value with these teams? Yes, but it’s harder, given that the style of the play fits perfectly with this betting market.
A great example of this was Liverpool’s 2017/18 team. On average, they conceded 1.50 goals away but only 0.56 at home. So, away from home, you’d absolutely be looking to back them for BTTS Yes, but at Anfield, they were tough to break down, so BTTS No would be the smart play.
What we have is a direct link between BTTS and goals conceded, which we can then apply to our bets.
Key Players & Positions for BTTS Stats
There are arguments for all positions influencing BTTS stats in the UK. A strong forward line will always be in the mix for goals, but rock-solid defences will negate their effectiveness.
Generally, prolific forwards and creative midfielders will drive BTTS, and for betting purposes, this is the easiest place to start, as they’re going to get you a goal often. You then need to decide if their opposition can do the same.
Who these creative players play for is another great area to look at. If they play in mediocre teams with a poor defence, then this will be a BTTS magnet, and it’s a green light for value.
Brentford is the ideal case study for this, with 67% of games triggering Both Teams to Score this season, mainly thanks to the goal involvements of Bryan Mbeumo (21 goals + assists) and Yoane Wissa (16 goals + assists). Their defence, on the other hand, is not so sharp, conceding 169 shots on target (the second most in the league).
Tactical Roles Contributing to BTTS Stats
Let’s stick with Brentford for a minute, as the team's style is also perfectly set up for the top most BTTS. Thomas Frank employs the high press – a common tactic in the Premier League, but one that is very much risk-reward. The higher up the pitch the team is, the more space is left at the back. So, if teams can beat the press, they leave themselves open.
Now, Brentford is actually very good at the initial press. They’re second in the league for tackles (95) in the attacking third, but to do this, they push both full-backs incredibly high and even overload with one of their centre-backs. When they win the ball, they’re in a great position to score, but when teams break the press, they’re more open than most.
The flip side is teams who go full Jose Mourinho and park the bus. These teams will have low BTTS stats, as they are hard to break down and don’t pose much of an attacking threat. Nottingham Forest is on the verge of securing a Champions League spot by doing exactly this. They sit deep, are well-organised and hit teams on the counter. This results in the lowest BTTS percentage in the league of 43%. It’s simple, yet highly effective for results but less so for goals.
How to Identify BTTS Trends?
Identifying betting streaks and trends is key to making a bit of cash from BTTS betting. There are two primary thought processes at play: seasonal data and recent match metrics.
We tend to favour the latter, as team styles, systems, and formations will adapt throughout the season. We’re coming back to Brentford again to back this up, but it’s because they tick so many boxes for textbook BTTS stats today.
Across the first 16 games of the season, only two of Brentford’s games didn’t have both teams scoring. That’s a staggering 87.5%. That number has dropped considerably over the next fourteen games, at just over 43% BTTS Yes. Therefore, even though their 67% season-long average is one of the highest in the league, a closer look at recent form reveals it to be one of the lowest.
This is why recent trends are a much better indicator than season-long ones.
Home vs Away Trends in BTTS Stats
The numbers around both teams scoring when playing at home versus playing away can be huge. Teams tend to be more offensive at home with crowd support, thus boosting BTTS numbers.
Aston Villa is a prime example with BTTS Yes in 80% of home games but only 53% of away games. Bournemouth would be the anti-Villa, as their numbers are almost exactly the opposite, with 47% at home and 80% away.
Home and away numbers are key considerations for our bets. For ThePuntersPage stats, we split the numbers between both, so you can compare them based on where the team is playing.
Best BTTS Betting Markets
If things are going well for a specific market with a UK bookmaker, you can rest assured that dozens of variations are in the pipeline. And that’s exactly what we’ve got with BTTS. It’s no longer a case of Yes or No, and we’ve highlighted these variations below.
For this market, we can combine the match result and the BTTS market. We need to pick a home win, away win or draw and then BTTS Yes or No. You can have any combination of these, and it’s great for adding value to short-priced favourites in any of these markets. There are specific BTTS and win stats you can use, which combine metrics to make these selections easier to find.
You need to pick both teams to get at least one goal in the first and the second half. This is a little more niche, but most of the best UK bookmakers offer it. It’s a super tough market to get right, and the odds will reflect that. You’ll absolutely need to apply Both Teams to Score in both halves stats for this, targeting teams that have a habit of getting to half-time at 1-1.
This market restricts the bet to a single half. The same principles apply, as there is a Yes or No outcome for both teams scoring, but this will be linked to the first or second half only, not the full game.
Total goals are exactly that – the combined goals scored by both teams. This is an over/under bet, and the generic market is set at 2.5 goals. You can include BTTS with this, which changes the dynamic a little, as you could back the over 2.5 and a team wins 3-0, which would cash the bet. But with BTTS, you need a goal from each, making it a little trickier.
Easily one of the most popular ways to use the Both Teams to Score market is with an acca bet. This is two or more selections where the odds increase with each pick. Given that most games are odds on for BTTS, it’s a good way to combine multiple selections for a big payday.
Key Factors Impacting BTTS Betting
Before placing any bets, we need to do our homework. A little effort is going to pay off big time when it comes to our bottom line. Here are a few key factors to consider before placing your bet.
Team News (Injuries/ Suspensions)
Always check to see if any of the key players are missing. If the star striker is injured or suspended, the chances of the team scoring decrease. For example, Liverpool’s Mo Salah has been involved (scored or assisted) in 63.8% of their goals this season, so if he’s missing, they won’t be as threatening up top.
Match Importance/Mentality
Ask yourself, what’s at stake? A mid-table clash in April might see teams a little more carefree, opening chances for goals. A relegation dogfight or a cup final has more at stake, so some teams will view these games as must-not-lose rather than adopting a gung-ho approach to winning.
Tactical Matchups
Playing styles can clash. Two teams with the same formation and similar game plans can cancel each other out from an attacking perspective. The flip side is when there are two distinctive styles of play. High press versus counterattacking is one of the best for goals in the game, as they essentially play into each other's hands.
How to Spot Value Bets Using BTTS Stats
Betting is all about value. You need to outsmart the bookies and look for times when the odds don’t reflect the true implied probability of a result. For example, if two teams average 60% BTTS and the bookies have them priced as a 55% chance, then we’ve found some value.
Here’s our process for finding value:
Our Expert BTTS Betting Tips
Given that we’ve been using BTTS markets for our own betting tips, we’re in a good spot to highlight some of the do’s and don’ts you can apply to your own picks. Let’s take a look:
Don’t Miss Any Match Stats
At TPP, we’ve created a ton of football stats for BTTS, so you don’t have to look far to find what to bet on. There’s a lot going on, so here’s how it works.
To start, you pick the market you want to bet on. This includes the standard BTTS market, plus BTTS and Win, BTTS 1st Half and BTTS 2nd Half. Next, browse through the leagues, cups, years and range of games (super important for more relevant both teams to score and win stats) or if you know who you want to bet on, use the search function.
Finally, toggle between total, home and away data. The table will then give you a ton of info based on this, which you can use to get an edge over the bookies.
Do Your Homework on Team Profiles
Check to see previous BTTS records for scoring and conceding. You must consider both because even if the best attack in the league is playing, if they’re up against the best defence, the number won’t be as strong as it would be against weaker teams.
If we crunch the numbers from the 2024/25 Premier League season, the top five teams with the highest BTTS percentage are between 5th and 12th in the league. The three teams at the top of the league are within the bottom six because they shut teams out often.
Shop Around for Odds
If you use a single bookie for all your bets, you’re leaving money on the table. Odds can fluctuate massively, and over the course of the season, this can really start to add up.
| BTTS | BetVictor | Ladbrokes | Unibet | Betfred |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 8/15 | 4/6 | 11/20 | 4/7 |
| £10 Returns… | £15.33 | £16.67 | £15.50 | £15.71 |
The table above shows the returns of betting on BTTS Yes for the upcoming derby between Manchester United and Manchester City. As you can see, if you bet with Ladbrokes, you’re getting 8.74% more for your money than if you’d placed the same bet with BetVictor. That’s £8.74 for every £100 wagered, which is relatively huge.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
You can’t consistently make money from the Both Teams to Score market without using the appropriate BTTS stats. The minimum needs to be stated as a general percentage, but you’ll unlock so much more value when you tap into some of the betting tips and processes outlined in this guide. By applying just a little data, you’re profit margins will soar and you’ll get much more from one of our favourite football betting markets.
BTTS Stats FAQs
This shows the number of times in which a team has been involved in games with both teams scoring. For example, if six of the last 10 games have had at least one goal from both sides, this would be 60% for both teams to score.
Yes, BTTS is one of the most popular betting markets. It’s a simple yes or no answer to whether you think both teams will score or not. Additionally, there are related markets, such as BTTS and Result, including BTTS in Both Halves, First-Half or Second-Half BTTS, and BTTS + Over/Under goals.
BTTS stats can be applied to multiple markets, with the most obvious being whether both teams will score or not. You then have related markets, such as total goals (over/under), correct score, and half-time betting.