What Does “Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet” Mean?
In football betting, “Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet” is a market that allows bettors to predict whether each team will prevent their opponent from scoring during the match.
- Clean Sheet means a team does not concede any goal in a match.
- This market has two options — Yes or No.
Option 1: Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet – Yes
You are betting that neither team will concede; in other words, both teams will finish the match without allowing a goal.
That means the final score must be 0-0 for your bet to win.
Example:
Match: Chelsea vs Manchester United
You place a bet on “Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet – Yes.”
- Final Score: 0-0 → You Win (both teams kept clean sheets)
- Final Score: 1-0, 0-2, 2-1, 1-1 → You Lose (at least one team conceded)
Option 2: Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet – No
You are betting that at least one team will concede a goal during the match.
This means any scoreline where one or both teams score will make your bet a winner.
Example:
Match: Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur
You place a bet on “Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet – No.”
- Final Score: 2-1, 0-3, 1-1, 4-2 → You Win (at least one team conceded)
- Final Score: 0-0 → You Lose (both teams kept clean sheets)
Difference Between “Both Teams to Score (BTTS)” and “Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet”
- BTTS (Yes) means both teams must score at least one goal.
- Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet (Yes) means no team should score (only 0-0 wins).
So, these two markets are exact opposites of each other.
Example Using Real Teams
Let’s take Manchester City vs Brentford:
- Manchester City are strong defensively, often keeping clean sheets.
- Brentford usually concedes against stronger teams.
Analysis:
Chances are high that Manchester City might keep a clean sheet, but Brentford might not.
Therefore, “Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet – No” is the smart bet here.
Betting Tips for “Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet”
- Check Team Form and Defense:
Look at each team’s recent results. Teams like Manchester City, Inter Milan, or Real Madrid often keep clean sheets against weaker opponents. - Head-to-Head Records:
If past matches between the two teams frequently end in 0-0 draws or low scores, consider betting Yes.
If they often produce goals, go for No. - Home and Away Performance:
- Some teams defend better at home (e.g., Liverpool at Anfield).
- Others struggle away and concede easily.
- Injuries and Suspensions:
Missing key defenders or goalkeepers increases the chance of conceding. In such cases, “No” becomes more likely. - Weather and Pitch Conditions:
Rainy or poor pitch conditions can reduce goal chances — which might favor Yes.
Example Bet Slip
| Match | Market | Selection | Odds | Result | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea vs Manchester United | Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet | Yes | 5.50 | 0-0 | Win |
| Arsenal vs Tottenham | Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet | No | 1.35 | 2-1 | Win |
Final Thoughts
“Both Teams to Keep a Clean Sheet (Yes/No)” is a simple yet strategic football betting option.
- Choose “Yes” when you expect a defensive match or a goalless draw.
- Choose “No” when you expect attacking play and goals from either side.
When used wisely with team form analysis and statistics, this market can offer excellent value — especially in tight, balanced fixtures or defensive leagues.