A clean sheet in football means a team has not conceded a goal in the match. The goalkeeper is credited with it, and in a 0-0 draw both sides keep one. This guide explains the clean sheet in football, how to estimate its chance from expected goals and how it differs from the both teams to score market.
The estimate uses the goal-probability grid described on our how it works page, and links to our both teams to score guide.
Clean Sheet Chances at a Glance
| Opponent expected goals | Chance of a clean sheet |
|---|---|
| 0.8 | 0.45 |
| 1.0 | 0.37 |
| 1.5 | 0.22 |
| 2.0 | 0.14 |
Under a simple Poisson model, the chance the opponent scores zero is the exponential of minus its expected goals.
What Is a Clean Sheet in Football?
Per Wikipedia’s clean sheet article, a goalkeeper may be said to keep a clean sheet if they prevent opponents from scoring during an entire match. If the match ends 0-0, both sides are considered to have kept a clean sheet.
How Do You Estimate the Chance of a Clean Sheet?
Take the opponent’s expected goals and work out the chance it scores none. If the away side is expected to score 1.0 goals, the home side’s clean sheet chance is about 0.37. Learn where those figures come from in how to calculate expected goals.
How Is a Clean Sheet Different From Both Teams to Score No?
Both teams to score no wins if at least one side keeps a clean sheet, not only one particular side. With 1.6 expected goals for the home side and 1.1 for the away side, the home clean sheet chance is about 0.33, the away one about 0.20 and a 0-0 about 0.07. Add the first two and subtract the overlap and you get about 0.47, which matches the chance that BTTS is no.
Do Clean Sheets Tell You About a Defence?
Partly. A clean sheet depends on the opponent’s attack and luck as well as the defence. A side with a good defence and a weak opponent keeps one often; a good defence against a strong attack may not. Use clean sheets alongside goals conceded and goal timing: our goal timing page shows when goals arrive in each league.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A 0-0 draw means neither team conceded, so both sides keep a clean sheet. Wikipedia notes that if a match ends 0-0, both sides are considered to have kept one. The goalkeeper is the player usually credited in statistics.
For records, it depends on the competition’s rules, and many statistics count the match as played. For betting, markets normally settle on 90 minutes plus stoppage time unless extra time is stated. Always check the settlement rules shown with the market.
It falls as the opponent’s expected goals rise. Under a simple Poisson model, an opponent expected to score 1.0 gives a clean sheet chance of about 0.37, and 2.0 gives about 0.14. Real matches vary and these figures are estimates, not forecasts.
It is entertainment, not a reliable way to win. Prices include a bookmaker margin and one goal ends the bet. Compare any price with the implied chance and keep stakes small. If betting stops being fun, our responsible gambling page lists free help.
The Takeaway
A clean sheet means no goals conceded, and its chance falls quickly as the opponent’s expected goals rise. Use the exponential rule for a quick estimate, then keep stakes small. See also our responsible gambling page.
How we prepared this guide: The definition comes from the linked Wikipedia article, read in November 2026. The chances are calculated with a standard Poisson model using illustrative expected goals. Nothing here is betting advice. 18+ only. The cover image is an illustrative stock photo from Pexels.
Probabilities are estimates from a statistical model built on this season's results and, where available, bookmaker prices. They are not guarantees and are not betting advice. 18+ only. Read the disclaimer.
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