Bet9ja Betting Explainer: How to Bet on Saves

If you’re looking for a smart, data-driven market that rewards tactical thinking, Saves betting might be the one for you.

Just like the Shots and Shots on Target markets, betting on Saves gives punters the chance to use real match data to their advantage – particularly in games where one team is likely to dominate possession and pepper the opposition’s goal.

It’s a niche market, but it’s one where a little research can go a long way.

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What Are Saves Markets?

In football betting, a “save” is officially recorded when a goalkeeper prevents the ball from entering the net with a deliberate stop, whether with hands, body, or feet – and it must be from a shot that was on target.

Own goals and off-target efforts don’t count.

Opta defines a save as:

“When a goalkeeper prevents the ball from entering the goal with a deliberate stop after a shot on target.”

This includes:

• Saved shots that would otherwise have gone in.
• Stops from headers or long-range efforts on target.
• Penalty saves, which also count towards the total.

It excludes blocked shots by defenders, off-target efforts, or mis-hit crosses.

How the Saves Markets Work

Like with Shots and Shots on Target, we offer multiple ways to bet on saves:

• 1X2 Saves – Predict which team’s goalkeeper will make the most saves in a match.
• Over/Under Saves – Bet on whether the total number of saves in the match will be over or under the spread offered.
• Home Over/Under Saves – Predict how many saves the home goalkeeper will make.
• Away Over/Under Saves – Predict how many saves the away goalkeeper will make.
• HT Saves – Back which team’s keeper will face the most shots on target (and therefore saves) in the first half only.
• HT Over/Under Saves – Predict whether there’ll be more or fewer saves than the bookmaker’s line in the first half.

All these markets are settled using Opta data, ensuring consistent results based on official match stats.

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Why Research Pays Off

Like most stat-based markets, betting on Saves rewards research and context.

Some teams face far more shots than others – and by identifying the clubs that spend long periods defending, you can find real value.

The site StatMuse provides in-depth data on average saves per team in the Premier League and other top leagues.

For example, in the EPL this season:

• Burnley average 4.14 saves per game
• Nottingham Forest average 3.57
• Sunderland average 3.43
• Tottenham average 3.43

Those numbers show which goalkeepers are busiest – and therefore where opportunities in the Over/Under Saves markets might appear.

Teams expected to be under pressure (such as Burnley) often face high shot volumes, while dominant teams like Man City or Arsenal will naturally record fewer saves.

Why Intent and Match Context Matter

As with Shots and Shots on Target, Opta’s definition relies heavily on intent and accuracy. Only shots that were clearly heading into the goal count – so deflected efforts or blocked shots often don’t.

That’s why understanding match dynamics helps:

• A dominant side against a defensive opponent ? More saves for the underdog goalkeeper.
• Two attacking teams ? Both goalkeepers likely to be active.
• A low-tempo possession side (e.g. Man City) ? Fewer saves overall.

It’s not just about who’s stronger – it’s about the flow of the game.

Why Bet9ja Uses Opta Data

Most major sportsbooks, including Bet9ja, rely on Opta (Stats Perform) to collect and settle data for advanced betting markets like Saves, Tackles, and Passes.

This ensures that all markets are consistent and objective, even when there’s room for interpretation.

Because these stats are collected in real time and verified post-match, bettors can rely on accurate results – but also need to understand that official Opta numbers are final.

Final Word

Betting on Saves is not a market for luck – it’s one for those who do their homework. Identify which goalkeepers are likely to be busy, look at the fixture context, and cross-reference your picks with stats like those on StatMuse.