Either Team Not to Score Meaning in Football Betting
Learn what “either team not to score” means, how it differs from “neither team to score,” which results qualify, and how to read this football betting market correctly.
“Either team not to score” usually means that at least one of the two teams must fail to score during the match. The bet wins if the game ends with one team scoring and the other scoring zero, or if neither team scores.
For example, a 1–0, 2–0, 0–1, or 0–0 result normally satisfies this selection. Scores such as 1–1, 2–1, and 3–2 do not, because both teams have scored.
What does either team not to score mean?
This market is commonly linked to Both Teams to Score: No, often shortened to BTTS No. It focuses on whether both sides score, rather than predicting the exact result or winner.
- 1–0: wins, because one team does not score.
- 0–2: wins, because one team does not score.
- 0–0: usually wins, because neither team scores.
- 1–1: loses, because both teams score.
- 2–1: loses, because both teams score.
The phrase can be confusing because “either” sometimes means one of two possibilities, while betting operators may use it as a less familiar description of the BTTS No outcome. Always check the market rules shown on the bookmaker’s page, especially if the wording is not the standard “Both Teams to Score – No.”
How it differs from neither team to score
Neither team to score normally means that both teams must fail to score. In a regular football match, that requires a 0–0 result.
| Market wording | Typical meaning | Qualifying scores |
|---|---|---|
| Either team not to score | At least one team fails to score | 0–0, 1–0, 2–0, 0–1 |
| Both teams to score – No | At least one team fails to score | 0–0, 1–0, 2–0, 0–1 |
| Neither team to score | Both teams fail to score | 0–0 only |
These selections are not interchangeable. A match ending 2–0 would normally win an “either team not to score” or “BTTS No” bet, but it would not satisfy a “neither team to score” market.
Which match results qualify?
The easiest way to assess the market is to ask: Did both teams score at least once? If the answer is no, the selection normally wins. This includes matches where one side scores several goals while the opponent records none.
Consider these examples:
- Manchester United 3–0 Chelsea: qualifies because Chelsea did not score.
- Arsenal 0–0 Tottenham: qualifies because neither side scored.
- Liverpool 2–2 Newcastle: does not qualify because both teams scored.
- Inter 1–2 Milan: does not qualify because both teams scored.
The final score is usually the only factor for a standard full-match market. The winning team, total goals, and exact margin do not matter as long as one side finishes with zero goals.
What should you check in the betting rules?
Market names and settlement rules can vary between bookmakers. Check whether the selection applies to the 90-minute match only, including stoppage time, or whether extra time and penalties are included. Most standard football markets cover regulation time and stoppage time but exclude extra time unless the rules say otherwise.
Also check whether the market refers to the match, a specific half, or a competition format. “Either team not to score in the first half” is settled only on first-half goals, while a full-time selection covers the entire stated match period.
If a match is abandoned, postponed, or declared a void event, the bookmaker’s rules may determine whether the bet is cancelled or remains valid. The exact wording beside the odds is more reliable than an informal market label.
Is this the same as a team clean sheet bet?
There is a close relationship, but the markets are not always identical. A bet on home team to keep a clean sheet requires the home side to concede zero goals, regardless of whether the away side scores. “Either team not to score” is broader: it wins if either side fails to score, so it can include a clean sheet for the home team, a clean sheet for the away team, or a goalless draw.
For instance, a 0–2 result wins an “either team not to score” selection and gives the home team a clean sheet failure, but it does not win a bet on the home team to keep a clean sheet. Comparing the settlement conditions prevents confusion between BTTS No, clean sheet, and exact-score markets.
Common mistakes with this market
- Assuming it means 0–0 only: a one-sided result such as 1–0 usually qualifies too.
- Confusing “either” with “both”: the intended settlement may be BTTS No, not a prediction that both teams fail to score.
- Ignoring match duration: extra-time rules can differ from standard 90-minute settlement.
- Reading the wording without the rules: operators may display similar labels for different markets.
- Using recent scorelines alone: defensive records, expected line-ups, injuries, tactical style, and competition context can all affect the likelihood of a clean sheet.
In short, “either team not to score” generally means at least one team finishes without a goal, making it equivalent in many cases to Both Teams to Score – No. Because the wording is not universal, confirm the bookmaker’s definition before placing or settling a bet.
