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Poisson goals calculator

The engine behind our predictions, with the dials exposed. Enter expected goals for each side and get the full probability picture — 1X2, totals, BTTS and the likely scorelines.

Match probabilities

Home win
Draw
Away win
MarketProbabilityFair odds

Most likely scorelines

Fair odds carry no margin — a real price below them is negative value at these λ inputs. Grid truncated at 10 goals per side.

The same maths, with nothing hidden

This is not a toy version of our model — it is the core of it. Every fixture page on this site starts from exactly this computation: a goals rate for each side, a Poisson grid over every scoreline, and market probabilities read off the grid. What the production pipeline adds is how the λ values are estimated — time-decayed attack and defence rates over ~11,000 results, shrinkage toward the league mean, and a blend with market prices — all documented on the model page.

Two honest limitations worth knowing before you trust any output. Goals are not perfectly independent — teams sit on leads and chase deficits — so plain Poisson slightly underrates draws and 0-0s; and the output quality is exactly the input quality: λ values pulled from thin air produce confident-looking nonsense. Used with real xG or rate data, it is the fastest way to sanity-check whether a price on totals or BTTS is in the right neighbourhood.

Poisson FAQ

What is the Poisson distribution doing here?+

It models the number of goals a team scores as random events arriving at a steady rate λ (the expected goals). Given λ for each side, every scoreline gets a probability: P(k goals) = e^−λ · λᵏ ⁄ k!. Summing the grid gives 1X2, totals and BTTS.

Where do I get the expected-goals inputs?+

From any xG source, from a team’s goals-per-game rates, or from our fixture pages — every match where the model has a reliable fit shows its expected goals. The calculator is the same engine with the inputs exposed.

How accurate is a plain Poisson model?+

Good enough to be the backbone of most quant football models, imperfect in known ways: it slightly underrates draws and low-scoring games because goals are not fully independent. Our production model adds time-decay, shrinkage and a market blend on top — methodology on the model page.

Why do the probabilities not sum to exactly 100%?+

The grid is truncated at 10 goals per team. The missing tail is a fraction of a percent at football-realistic λ values — visible only if you push the inputs to absurd levels.

⚠️ Our AI model is still learning from match data. All predictions are experimental statistical estimates for information purposes only — not financial advice and not an invitation to bet. Outcomes are never guaranteed. 18+ · Gamble responsibly.