Tackles vs Interceptions: What Is the Difference?
Both are ways of winning the ball back. They happen in completely different situations and tell you different things about a player. Getting them confused leads to bad betting decisions, especially on defensive player props.
The tackle
A tackle requires the opponent to be in controlled possession of the ball. The defending player makes a legal, ground-level challenge, connects with the ball, and attempts to take it away. Both winning and losing outcomes count as a tackle. A tackle won is when the tackler or a teammate regains possession, or the ball goes safely out of play. A tackle lost is when the ball returns to an opposition player after the challenge.
If the defender mistimes the challenge or goes in recklessly, it results in a foul rather than a tackle. This is why players who tackle frequently tend to appear near the top of fouls-committed charts as well.
The interception
An interception happens before the ball reaches an opponent. The defending player reads where a pass is going, positions themselves in its path, and takes possession before the intended recipient receives it. No contact with the opponent is required at any point.
Where a tackle responds to a player who already has the ball, an interception is anticipatory: the defender is acting on what they expect to happen next, not what is happening right now. Because interceptions depend on the opposition attempting passes through your defensive area, the numbers can vary significantly from match to match based purely on how the opposition plays. A side that passes short and quickly through the lines gives far more opportunities than one that plays direct and long.
What high numbers actually mean
A team that leads the league in tackles is usually one of two things: a genuinely aggressive pressing side that hunts the ball all over the pitch, or a team without much possession that spends a lot of time defending. Check possession stats alongside tackle stats before drawing conclusions.
A team with a high interception count is typically well-organised and positional in defence. They defend through their shape and compactness rather than pressing and winning physical duels. These teams tend to have lower card rates than high-tackle sides. But their interception numbers drop significantly when they face a team that does not try to play through the lines. You can view both on the team tackles trends page.
How to use this for betting
For player tackles props, check the player's recent tackles per game average on FootyMetrics, check the home and away split (away players tackle more on average), and check whether the opponent is a team that plays through midfield or sits deep. A deep-sitting team gives fewer tackle opportunities because they are not committing many players forward for the opposition defensive midfielder to engage.
Interceptions are rarely offered as standalone props. When they are, treat them with more caution than tackles. Look at recent matches, not just a season average, and pay close attention to the style of the upcoming opponent. A player facing a possession-heavy side that plays short and quick is unlikely to reproduce their usual interception numbers regardless of how good their season average looks.
The player tackles trends page on FootyMetrics shows recent consistent players across all leagues, filterable by home and away.
Who is tackling most this season?
Domestic leagues only. Sorted by tackles per game, updated after each matchday.
Players
Tackle trends on FootyMetrics
Player and team tackles across all leagues. Filter by home and away. Updated after each matchday.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some great defenders have low tackle and interception numbers?
Because the best defenders often prevent situations from developing in the first place. A centre-back who reads the game so well that attackers never get into dangerous positions behind him may record very few tackles or interceptions, but he is doing his job better than a defender who is constantly scrambling to recover. Stats measure actions, not the danger that was avoided.
Does a higher tackle count mean a team is defending well?
Not necessarily. Teams that have less of the ball face more attacks and therefore get more opportunities to tackle. High tackle counts can mean a team is defending well under sustained pressure, or simply that they are conceding a lot of possession. Context matters.
Are interceptions a reliable prop bet?
They are harder to bet on than tackles because interception counts depend heavily on the opposition. A team that plays lots of short passes through the middle creates many interception opportunities. A team that plays direct, long-ball football gives far fewer. The same defender can record five interceptions one week and one the next based purely on how the opposition chose to play, making the stat less predictable.
Do away teams make more tackles than home teams?
Yes, on average. Away sides tend to concede more possession and spend more time defending, which generates more tackling opportunities. This is worth factoring in when researching player tackles props for players who are significantly more or less active depending on venue.