From the first and last goalscorer to total goals, Both Teams to Score (BTTS), etc., the online sports betting industry is filled with many betting markets that revolve around game goals. One of the most unique and exciting options in this category is clean sheet betting, which involves predicting whether a team will finish a match without conceding a goal.
This guide will explore the concept of clean sheet betting and delve into everything a punter should know about it. Below are the main points we’ll cover:
What is clean sheet betting?
Betting markets that involve clean sheet wagers
Best betting sites for betting the clean sheet
Factors that affect the chances of a clean sheet
Pros and cons of clean sheet betting
What Is a Clean Sheet?
A clean sheet is a sports term describing a team conceding no goals or points during a game. In competitive sports, especially the ones involving two teams, the ultimate aim of each side is to beat their opponent by at least one goal. Keeping a clean sheet is a significant and prideful achievement for a team, especially if it wins the game. The term is also known as Shutout in US sports, which means preventing the opponent from scoring.
For example, a match between Liverpool and Leeds ends with a 2-0 result. In such a situation, Liverpool has managed to win and keep a clean sheet by not conceding any goal to Leeds. However, if the game had ended with a 0-0 scoreline, both teams would have kept a clean sheet.
That said, let’s explore how a clean sheet in betting works.
Clean Sheet Betting Types
Like most viable outcomes in sporting events, the clean sheet found its way into the betting scene, becoming a famous market across several sportsbooks and exchange bookmakers. As the concept implies, clean sheet betting involves wagering on whether or not a team will concede a goal during a sports event. Like most betting markets, this option is primarily associated with football. However, it is also possible for punters to find some betting sites that offer it for other sports like baseball and hockey.
Generally, a punter can use two options when betting on the clean sheet, especially in football: “Yes” and “No.” The “yes” option means backing the selected team to keep a clean sheet throughout the game. The chosen team in a yes clean sheet bet doesn’t necessarily have to win the game for the wager to be successful, as a 0-0 tie also counts.
Conversely, betting on the “No” option means that you are predicting that the selected team will not finish with a clean sheet (i.e., they will concede at least one goal). Also, with the betting no clean sheet option, it doesn’t matter whether your selected team wins, loses, or ties the game. You will win the bet if the opposing team scores one or more goals at any point during the standard regulation time.
Clean Sheet Variations
Besides the regular clean sheet market, this bet type is available in other formats. For instance, some sportsbooks independently provide clean sheet betting for the first and second halves of football games. Some sites also combine the bet type with other outcomes, such as home team or any clean sheet, away team or any clean sheet, and draw or any clean sheet betting, among others.
Another exciting variant is the “win to nil,” which combines win and clean sheet outcomes. This option involves backing a team to win a game and keeping a clean sheet simultaneously.
Examples of Clean Sheets in Football
Now that we have seen the yes and no clean sheet bet explained let’s explore a practical example of how it works. Let’s say there is an upcoming matchup between Barcelona and Sevilla in an upcoming Spanish La Liga game. A typical sportsbook will offer the market in the table below for a clean sheet wager.
Keep clean sheet
Yes
No
Barcelona
2.37
1.53
Sevilla
11.00
1.05
In this scenario, you will only win the yes clean sheet Barcelona bet if the game ends with a 0-0, 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, etc., scoreline (i.e., no goal recorded for Sevilla). It will yield a $237 payout (i.e., $137 in profits) for every $100 wager. However, should the game end with Sevilla managing to score at least one goal, you will lose the bet.
Sports Betting Markets Involving Clean Sheets
The clean sheet betting market is predominantly associated with football, which is unsurprising as the concept fits perfectly with the sport’s nature. Hence, clean sheet in football betting is one of the most popular goal-related markets among punters.
However, the option also applies to a few other sports, such as baseball and ice hockey, where you can often find game results that end with a team conceding no goal.
Clean Sheet Markets to Bet on Football
Today, almost every sportsbook offers Premier League clean sheet betting odds among several other football leagues and events. Depending on the bookmaker, punters can find a variety of football clean sheet markets, including:
Clean sheet (Yes/No): It involves betting on whether or not a football team will keep a clean sheet throughout a game.
First half clean sheet (Yes/No): It involves the same bet market but focuses only on the first half of a game.
Second half clean sheet (Yes/No): It applies only to the second half of a match.
In football betting, some sportsbooks also provide options for both teams to keep a clean sheet (i.e., the game ends with a 0-0 scoreline). Some will also offer markets that combine clean sheets with other potential outcomes, like home win, away win, and draw.
Clean Sheet Markets to Bet on Baseball
Clean sheet betting is also available in baseball. As a predominantly US sport, you’ll often find the concept described as “ the shutout,” especially when wagering on Major League Baseball (MLB). The baseball clean sheet betting market is similar to football and can be profitable for punters familiar with the sport and the teams involved. However, you should note that this bet type is less popular for baseball, and very few sports betting sites cover it.
Clean Sheet Markets to Bet on Ice Hockey
Punters will also find clean sheet betting opportunities in ice hockey. This betting market works like the football and baseball option but is less popular among sportsbooks. However, the ice hockey clean sheet can be your ideal betting market, especially if you know how the sport works, the teams involved, and the factors influencing its scoring.
Who Uses the Clean Sheet Betting Market?
Like any other betting market, it can be hard to accurately predict that a team will or will not keep a clean sheet throughout a match. After all, sports are inherently unpredictable, and it would only take a slight mistake, a pressured own goal, a free kick, or even a penalty for a solid team to concede a goal.
So, while the concept of a clean sheet in betting is generally straightforward, it is not for everyone. The betting option is ideal for experienced punters with extensive knowledge about a particular sport. It is because the market requires the analysis of defensive strategies and capabilities, player performances, goalkeeper abilities, team tactics, and other factors to make an accurate prediction.
The Best Bookies for Clean Sheet Betting
The clean sheet bet market is less popular than the most common bet types. So, you won’t find it at all sports betting sites. However, most renowned sportsbooks offer prices to punters for clean sheet betting. Some of the best options in this category include:
Not only are the sites mentioned above some of the best platforms that offer clean sheets in betting, but they are also legit and have a good reputation on the market. These bookies also have some of the most competitive odds prices, provide great betting experience, and offer a wide range of sports and markets. They also feature excellent customer support service, generous promotions, and hassle-free payment options.
What Factors Affect Clean Sheet Chances?
Clean sheets don’t just happen during a game but because of several factors. After all, no team would be willing to finish a game with their opponent walking away with a clean sheet. Below are some factors that influence the likelihood of this occurrence:
Team’s performance and recent form: The strength and form of a team’s players can significantly influence a clean sheet. A team in good form and with a reputation for not easily conceding goals is likely to keep a clean sheet in a match.
Defensive strength: The defensive capabilities of a team play a crucial role in its chances of keeping a clean sheet throughout a game. A team with solid defensive players, style, and tactics often finish games with clean sheets. Conversely, teams with a lousy defense line will likely concede at least one goal in a game, making them good choices to bet no clean sheet.
Attacking strength of the opposing team: Teams with strong attacking strength tend to contend for as many goals as possible in any game and often get them. So, the stronger the opposing team’s attacking style, the less likely a team would keep a clean sheet.
Injuries and suspensions: The absence of key players during a game, especially in the defensive area, can affect the chances of a team keeping a clean sheet. So, before betting on no clean sheet or yes clean sheet, it’s essential to consider injuries or suspensions that may keep key players from the game.
Goalkeeper: As the last line of defense in blocking a goal, a team’s goalkeeper will undoubtedly influence the chances of a clean sheet. Teams with elite goalkeepers are usually superb at keeping clean sheets and vice versa.
Considering these factors is one of the best clean sheet betting tips for anyone interested in this bet type. They help punters make informed decisions, increasing their chances of winning.
Pros & Cons of Betting on a Clean Sheet
Like most sports betting markets, clean sheet wagers have many benefits punters can enjoy. However, it also comes with its fair share of downsides. So, let’s explore the pros and cons of this betting option.
PROS
CONS
PROS
Straightforward bet type: Clean sheet bet is a relatively straightforward betting market that is easy to understand, making it an ideal choice for all punters, from newbies to seasoned ones.
Potential for higher odds: Due to the unique nature of the bet type, clean sheet wagers offer more attractive odds than traditional markets. This results in the potential for a substantial return on your wager.
In-play opportunities: Some sportsbooks also allow punters to engage clean sheets in football betting and other sports while the game is already underway, live.
Unique and exciting betting opportunities: Clean sheet wagering provides punters a unique and exciting bet experience, unlike many traditional options.
CONS
Risky bet: Due to the nature of the wager, predicting clean sheets in games is inherently riskier than many other bet types. After all, even the best teams often concede goals to their opponents.
Lower odds: The odds betting sites offer for clean sheet wagers can sometimes be low. It is especially true when betting the “no” option for the underdog in a lopsided match.
Final Words
Clean sheet betting is a unique and exciting bet type beyond team wins and losses in a sports event. It is a straightforward market that delves into the nuances of teams’ defensive capabilities, making it a popular prospect for seasoned bettors and newcomers. So, if you, a real bet master, are interested in non-traditional betting options, give a clean sheet bet a go.
However, we recommend this bet type for experienced bettors who are well-versed in a specific sport. It is because successful predictions here rely on a profound understanding and expert analysis of a game’s nuances, focusing on defensive tactics, player and goalkeeper performances, team strategies, etc.
A clean sheet in betting refers to a wager on a team not to concede any goals to their opponent during a sporting match (i.e., keep a clean sheet). With this bet, it doesn’t matter whether the selected team wins or draws; you will win the wager if the game ends without a goal from the other team (i.e., a 0-0, 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, etc., score line).
What does no clean sheet mean in betting?
“No clean sheet” in betting refers to a wager on a team to concede one or more goals during a game. Like its clean sheet betting counterpart, it doesn’t matter if the selected team wins, draws, or loses the game in this market as long as the opposing team gets at least one goal in (i.e., 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 5-3, etc., score line).
What does ‘first half clean sheet’ mean?
First-half clean sheet refers to a clean sheet bet specifically placed on the first half of a game. You will win this bet if the selected team does not concede any goal during the first half of the game (i.e., based on the scoreline result at halftime).
What does ‘second half clean sheet’ mean?
A “second-half clean sheet” is a betting market solely focusing on a game’s second half. It involves wagering on a team not to concede any goals in the second half of a game. This bet is settled based on the scoreline of only that half of the game.
Why are the odds different to under 0.5 goals?
The odds offered on clean sheet bets and under 0.5 goals differ because they represent slightly different markets and outcomes. Clean sheet betting focuses on whether or not a particular team will concede any goals. On the other hand, the under 0.5 goals involves predicting that there will be no goals in a game (i.e., a 0-0 result), which means both teams keep clean sheets. Generally, the odds offered for under 0.5 goals are typically higher than clean sheets, as it is more likely for one team to keep a clean sheet than for both.
Jimmy is our on-duty tipster and writer. His favorite sports are cricket, tennis, and basketball. If you’re looking for the best betting tips in the business, Jimmy’s your guy. His tips and events previews are among the most read at BetZillion.
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