Both Teams to Score, commonly shortened to BTTS, is one of the most popular football betting markets. It is based on a simple question: will both teams score at least one goal during the match?
If you are new to football betting, understanding BTTS can make betting slips and football betting markets much easier to read. In this guide, we explain what BTTS means, how BTTS Yes and No work, and how to understand the market using simple match examples.
What Does Both Teams to Score (BTTS) Mean?
Both Teams to Score (BTTS) is a football betting market where you predict whether both teams will score at least one goal in a match.
There are usually two basic selections:
- BTTS Yes – both teams must score at least one goal.
- BTTS No – at least one of the two teams must fail to score.
The final score determines whether your selection is successful. The winner of the match does not matter for the BTTS market as long as the required scoring condition is met.
How Does BTTS Yes Work?
When you select BTTS Yes, you are predicting that both teams will score at least once before the match ends.
For example, consider these possible final scores:
- 1-1 – BTTS Yes
- 2-1 – BTTS Yes
- 1-2 – BTTS Yes
- 3-2 – BTTS Yes
- 2-2 – BTTS Yes
In each example, both teams have scored at least one goal.
The exact number of goals does not matter. A match ending 1-1 qualifies just as a match ending 4-3 does because both teams scored.
How Does BTTS No Work?
When you select BTTS No, you are predicting that both teams will not score.
This means that at least one team must finish the match without scoring.
Examples include:
- 0-0 – BTTS No
- 1-0 – BTTS No
- 2-0 – BTTS No
- 0-1 – BTTS No
- 0-3 – BTTS No
If the match finishes 2-1, however, both teams have scored, so BTTS No would not be successful.
BTTS Yes vs BTTS No: Simple Example
Suppose Team A is playing Team B.
You choose BTTS Yes.
If Team A scores once and Team B scores once, the match finishes 1-1 and the BTTS Yes selection meets its condition.
Now imagine the match finishes 2-0. Team A scored, but Team B did not. In that case, BTTS Yes does not meet the condition, while BTTS No does.
The important thing to remember is that BTTS is about both teams scoring, not about which team wins.
Does the Winner Matter in BTTS Betting?
No. The winner is not the main condition in a standard BTTS market.
For example, a 2-1 result and a 1-2 result can both satisfy BTTS Yes because both teams scored.
This is different from the traditional 1X2 market, where you select a home win, draw or away win.
If you are unfamiliar with 1X2, you can read our guide to what 1X2 means in football betting.
BTTS and Over/Under Goals Are Different Markets
BTTS and Over/Under goals are both based on goals, but they ask different questions.
BTTS asks whether both teams will score.
Over/Under asks whether the total number of goals will be above or below a particular line.
For example, a 1-1 result produces two total goals and also qualifies as BTTS Yes.
A 3-0 result produces three total goals but does not qualify as BTTS Yes because only one team scored.
Our guide to Over and Under 2.5 Goals in football betting explains that market in more detail.
What Can Influence a BTTS Match?
There is no reliable way to know before a match whether both teams will score. However, people researching a BTTS market may look at several football factors.
Recent Scoring Form
Recent matches can show whether a team has been regularly scoring goals. However, past results do not guarantee what will happen in the next match.
Defensive Record
A team that regularly concedes goals may give the opposition opportunities to score. On the other hand, a strong defensive performance can prevent BTTS from occurring.
Home and Away Performance
Some teams perform differently at home compared with away matches. Looking at home and away scoring and conceding records can provide additional context.
Team News
Injuries, suspensions, rotation and changes to the starting lineup can affect how a team approaches a match.
Playing Style
Some teams play aggressively and create many attacking opportunities, while others may prefer a more defensive approach. Understanding the teams involved can help you understand why a particular BTTS market may attract attention.
These factors should be treated as information for evaluating a football match, not as a guarantee of a particular result.
BTTS Does Not Mean Both Teams Will Score the Same Number of Goals
A common misunderstanding is that BTTS requires the teams to score the same number of goals.
It does not.
A match ending 1-1 qualifies, but so do 2-1, 1-3 and 4-2 because each team scored at least once.
The teams only need to score at least one goal each.
Can BTTS Be Combined With Other Markets?
Depending on the betting platform and the markets available for a particular match, BTTS may appear alongside other selections or as part of combination markets.
For beginners, it is useful to understand each market separately before combining multiple selections.
Understanding how to read football betting odds can also help you understand how selections are displayed on a betting platform.
BTTS and the Football Betting Slip
After selecting a BTTS market, the selection can normally appear on your betting slip along with other information such as the match, selection and odds.
If you are unfamiliar with betting slips, our guide on how a football betting slip works explains the basic process and terminology.
Always check your selections carefully before confirming a bet because markets and available options can vary between betting platforms.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make With BTTS
Assuming BTTS Yes Is Guaranteed Because Both Teams Usually Score
Even teams that regularly score can fail to find the net in a particular match. Football results are unpredictable, so historical scoring patterns should not be treated as guarantees.
Confusing BTTS With Over 2.5 Goals
BTTS and Over 2.5 are different markets. A 1-1 score is BTTS Yes but does not reach three total goals.
Looking Only at Recent Results
A few recent matches do not always provide enough context. Opponents, home or away conditions, team news and the quality of previous opponents can all matter.
Ignoring the Actual Market Selection
Always check whether you selected BTTS Yes or BTTS No before confirming a bet.
Frequently Asked Questions About BTTS
What does BTTS mean in football betting?
BTTS means Both Teams to Score. It is a market based on whether both teams score at least one goal during the match.
What does BTTS Yes mean?
BTTS Yes means you are predicting that both teams will score at least one goal.
What does BTTS No mean?
BTTS No means you are predicting that at least one team will fail to score.
Does 1-1 count as BTTS?
Yes. A 1-1 result qualifies as BTTS Yes because both teams scored.
Does 2-1 count as BTTS?
Yes. Both teams have scored at least once, so 2-1 qualifies as BTTS Yes.
Does 1-0 count as BTTS?
No. Only one team scored, so the result does not qualify as BTTS Yes.
Is BTTS the same as Over 2.5 goals?
No. BTTS focuses on whether both teams score, while Over 2.5 focuses on whether the match has at least three total goals.
Responsible Betting
Football betting involves financial risk and there is no betting market that guarantees a winning outcome. BTTS selections should not be treated as a reliable way to make money.
Only bet if you are legally permitted to do so, use money you can afford to lose, and avoid chasing losses. If betting stops being enjoyable or becomes difficult to control, consider taking a break and seeking appropriate support.
18+ only. Gamble responsibly.
Final Thoughts
Both Teams to Score is a straightforward football betting market once you understand the basic condition: both teams must score at least one goal for BTTS Yes to qualify.
BTTS No works in the opposite direction, meaning at least one team must fail to score.
Before considering a BTTS market, beginners can look at scoring patterns, defensive records, home and away performances, team news and playing styles. However, none of these factors can guarantee what will happen during a football match.
If you are building your understanding of football betting markets, BTTS is one useful market to learn alongside 1X2, Over/Under goals, betting odds and betting slips.