40+ | Match Tackles — Meaning Explained

In football betting, “Match Tackles – 40+” usually refers to a special market where you are betting on:

The total number of tackles made by both teams combined to be 40 or more in the match.

(A tackle is recorded when a player wins the ball from an opponent who is in possession.)

If total tackles = 40 or higher → the bet wins.
If total tackles = 39 or fewer → the bet loses.

This is an over/under statistic market offered by many bookmakers (usually Opta-tracked).

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How Tackles Are Counted (Opta Definition)

A tackle is recorded when:

• A player successfully dispossesses an opponent of the ball, AND
• The ball changes possession.

A challenge where both players touch the ball simultaneously does not always count unless the defender wins the ball clearly.

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Why This Market Matters

Tackles indicate:

• High-tempo football
• Intense pressing
• Midfield battles
• Physical games
• Derbies
• Matches with strong defensive teams

Because of this, some fixtures consistently produce 35–50 tackles.

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Example With a Team: Tottenham vs Chelsea

Let’s break down how a “40+ Match Tackles” bet works using a real-type scenario.

Team Styles

• Tottenham → aggressive pressing, high defensive line, high tackle volume
• Chelsea → physical midfielders (Caicedo, Enzo, Gallagher) who attempt many tackles

Sample Match Breakdown

Team	Tackles
Tottenham	21
Chelsea	25
Total	46 tackles

Bet Outcome

If you bet “Match Tackles – 40+”
→ Total = 46 → Bet Wins

If the total had been 37
→ Bet Loses

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More Examples

Example 1: Arsenal vs Burnley

• Arsenal: 18 tackles
• Burnley: 24 tackles
  Total = 42 → 40+ Wins

Example 2: Manchester City vs Wolves

• Man City: 11 tackles (low due to possession dominance)
• Wolves: 20 tackles
  Total = 31 → 40+ Loses

Example 3: Liverpool vs Manchester United (high-energy game)

• Liverpool: 23 tackles
• Man Utd: 22 tackles
  Total = 45 → 40+ Wins

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What Influences Tackle Counts?

1. Playing Styles

• High pressing teams = MORE tackles
  • Liverpool
  • Spurs
  • Newcastle
  • Chelsea
• Possession-heavy teams = FEWER tackles
  • Man City
  • Barcelona
  • Bayern Munich

2. Match Importance

• Derbies → more physical → more tackles
• Cup ties → high intensity

3. Player Profiles

Some teams have tackle-heavy players:

• Caicedo
• Rodri
• Palhinha
• Ugarte
• Bruno Guimarães

This boosts totals.

4. Match State

If one team leads early, the other often chases → more tackles.

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Betting Tips: Tackles – 40+ Market

1. Pick games with physical midfields

Example: Chelsea vs Spurs, Liverpool vs Newcastle.

They often reach 45–55 tackles.

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2. Avoid matches with dominant possession teams

Man City vs lower-table teams often produce 28–34 tackles total.

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3. Check referee style

Refs who allow physical play → more tackles.
Strict refs → players tackle less aggressively.

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4. Consider weather conditions

Wet conditions → more loose balls → more tackles.

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5. Use historical data

Check the average tackle stats of both teams.
For example:

• Spurs average: 18–22
• Chelsea average: 20–25
  Combined → regularly 40+.

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6. Watch team news

Missing defensive midfielders = fewer tackles.
Example:
If Rodri or Caicedo is missing → tackle count may drop.

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7. Live (In-Play) Betting Strategy

If the first 20 minutes has:

• 12–15 tackles already → likely to reach 40+.
• Only 5–7 tackles → unlikely unless match intensity rises.

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Summary

“40+ | Match Tackles” means:

Total tackles from both teams combined must be 40 or more.

It is ideal for matches that are:

• High-tempo
• Physical
• Between pressing teams
• Competitive (derbies, top-6 clashes)

Good teams for this market:
Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle, Man Utd, Arsenal (vs big teams).

Avoid:
Man City vs low-table teams, PSG vs weak Ligue 1 teams.