What Is a First Goalscorer Bet in Football? A Clear Guide for Bettors

A first goalscorer bet is a football wager where you pick the player you think will score the first goal of a match. If that player scores the opening goal, your bet wins; if someone else scores first, the match ends 0-0, or your player does not meet the bookmaker’s rules, the bet loses or may be void.

It is one of the most popular player betting markets because it offers bigger odds than simply backing a team to win. The trade-off is that it is much harder to predict: even the best striker on the pitch can have a quiet match, miss a chance, or see a teammate score first.

What Does First Goalscorer Mean?

A first goalscorer bet asks one question: who will score the first valid goal in the match?

You are not betting on:

• The final score
• Which team wins
• How many goals the player scores overall
• Whether the player scores at any time
• Which team scores first, unless you choose a player from that team

You are backing one named player to score the opening goal.

For example, if Arsenal play Liverpool and you back Bukayo Saka as first goalscorer, you win only if Saka scores the first goal of the match. If Mohamed Salah scores first and Saka scores later, your bet loses. If Saka scores in the 70th minute but it is already 1-1, it still loses because he was not the first scorer.

How a First Goalscorer Bet Works

The process is simple:

• Choose a football match.
• Open the “goalscorer” or “player goals” markets.
• Select “first goalscorer”.
• Pick the player you think will score first.
• Place your stake.
• Your bet is settled based on the first official goal.

The key word is official. A goal must stand. If the ball goes in but is ruled out by VAR, offside, handball, or a foul, it does not count for settlement. The market stays alive until the first valid goal is awarded.

If there are no goals in the match, most first goalscorer bets lose unless you specifically backed “No Goalscorer” or “No Goal”, which is usually offered as a separate option.

First Goalscorer Bet Example

Let’s say Manchester City are playing Tottenham and the bookmaker offers these first goalscorer odds:

• Erling Haaland: 4/1
• Phil Foden: 7/1
• Son Heung-min: 8/1
• Dejan Kulusevski: 14/1
• No Goalscorer: 10/1

You stake £10 on Haaland to score first at 4/1.

If Haaland scores the first goal:

• Profit: £40
• Stake returned: £10
• Total return: £50

If anyone else scores first, or the match finishes 0-0, your £10 stake is lost.

Now imagine you back Son at 8/1 with £10. If Son scores first, your profit is £80 and your total return is £90. The higher odds reflect the bookmaker’s view that Son is less likely than Haaland to open the scoring in that fixture.

Decimal Odds Example

Many betting sites use decimal odds. Suppose a player is priced at 6.50.

You stake £10.

If the player scores first:

• £10 x 6.50 = £65 total return
• £65 minus £10 stake = £55 profit

Decimal odds include your stake in the displayed return. Fractional odds show the profit first.

What Counts as a First Goalscorer?

Usually, a first goalscorer bet is settled on the player credited with the first goal by the official match record.

That includes:

• Open-play goals
• Headers
• Penalties
• Free-kicks
• Deflected shots, if the attacking player is credited with the goal

The following can create settlement questions:

• Own goals: Many bookmakers do not count own goals for first goalscorer betting. If the first goal is an own goal, the market may continue to the next goal, but rules vary.
• Deflections: If a shot deflects off a defender, the official scorer decides whether it is the attacker’s goal or an own goal.
• VAR decisions: A disallowed goal does not count.
• Abandoned matches: Settlement depends on the bookmaker’s rules and how much of the match was played.

Always check the betting rules if you are staking more than a casual amount.

What Happens If Your Player Does Not Start?

This is one of the most important rules in first goalscorer betting.

Bookmakers generally use one of two approaches:

• Player must start: If your player is not in the starting XI, the bet is void and your stake is returned.
• All-in run or not: Your bet stands whether the player starts, comes off the bench, or does not play.

Most major bookmakers void first goalscorer bets if the selected player does not start, but not all markets work the same way. Some enhanced markets, request-a-bet style wagers, or ante-post player bets may have different terms.

If your player starts on the bench and the bookmaker voids non-starters, you usually get your stake back. If the player starts the match but is substituted after 20 minutes, the bet normally stands and loses unless he scored first before going off.

First Goalscorer vs Anytime Goalscorer

First goalscorer and anytime goalscorer are related, but they are very different bets.

A first goalscorer bet wins only if your player scores the opening goal.

An anytime goalscorer bet wins if your player scores at any point during normal time, regardless of whether it is the first, second, or final goal.

Example:

You back Ollie Watkins as first goalscorer. Aston Villa win 3-1, but Watkins scores the third goal. Your first goalscorer bet loses.

If you had backed Watkins as anytime goalscorer, it wins.

Because first goalscorer is harder, it pays bigger odds. A striker might be 5/1 to score first but 2/1 to score anytime.

First Goalscorer vs Last Goalscorer

A last goalscorer bet is the opposite: you pick the player who will score the final goal of the match.

First goalscorer bets are usually more popular because the conditions are known before kick-off. You can study line-ups, tactics, team news, and early attacking trends.

Last goalscorer bets can be more chaotic. Substitutions, late penalties, tired defences, red cards, and game state all play a big role. A substitute striker might be more attractive in last goalscorer markets than first goalscorer markets.

First Team Goalscorer Explained

Some bookmakers offer first team goalscorer markets. This means you are backing a player to score their team’s first goal, not necessarily the first goal of the match.

For example:

• Chelsea play Newcastle.
• You back Cole Palmer as Chelsea first goalscorer.
• Newcastle score first.
• Palmer equalises later.

Your bet wins if Palmer was Chelsea’s first scorer, even though he did not score the first goal of the match.

This market is easier than first goalscorer but usually offers shorter odds.

Why First Goalscorer Odds Are Usually High

First goalscorer odds look attractive because the bet is difficult. Even a prolific striker has many obstacles:

• His team might not score.
• Another teammate might score first.
• The opponent might score first.
• The game could finish 0-0.
• The player could be marked tightly.
• He could miss early chances.
• A defender might score from a corner.
• A penalty taker from the same side might get the first goal instead.

A short-priced first goalscorer is still a risky bet. A player at 3/1 may be the most likely scorer in the match, but that does not mean he is likely to score first more often than not.

How Bookmakers Price First Goalscorer Bets

Bookmakers consider several factors when setting first goalscorer odds:

• Player scoring rate: Goals per 90 minutes, recent form, shot volume, and expected goals.
• Position: Centre-forwards are usually shorter than wingers, midfielders, and defenders.
• Penalty duties: Regular penalty takers often have shorter odds.
• Set-piece role: Free-kick takers and strong aerial threats can be more dangerous.
• Team attacking strength: Players from heavy favourites tend to be shorter.
• Opponent defensive quality: Weak defences can shorten prices for attackers.
• Expected line-ups: Injuries, rotation, and tactical roles affect odds.
• Match tempo: Some fixtures are more open than others.

The bookmaker also builds in a margin, so the combined implied probabilities of all first goalscorer options will exceed 100%. That is one reason value matters.

How to Find Value in First Goalscorer Bets

Value means the odds are bigger than the true chance of the outcome. You do not need to predict every first scorer correctly to be a profitable long-term bettor, but you do need to take prices that are fair or generous.

Useful angles include:

• Penalty takers at fair odds: A player on penalties has an extra route to the first goal.
• Main striker against a high defensive line: Space behind the defence can create early chances.
• Aerial threats against poor set-piece defending: Centre-backs and target men can be overpriced.
• Wide forwards cutting inside: Some wingers carry more goal threat than the market suggests.
• Teams that start quickly: Some sides press hard early and create chances in the first 20 minutes.
• Opponents missing key defenders: Team news can shift the real probability before odds fully adjust.

For broader match research, team news, and form checks, many bettors start with today's football predictions before comparing player markets.

When Is a First Goalscorer Bet Worth Considering?

A first goalscorer bet can make sense when you have a strong, specific reason for choosing the player rather than just liking the odds.

Good situations include:

• The player is confirmed to start.
• He is his team’s most advanced attacker.
• He takes penalties.
• His team is expected to dominate possession.
• The opposition concedes many shots in his zone.
• His odds are bigger than similar players in comparable roles.
• He has strong recent underlying numbers, not just one lucky goal.

It is usually better to wait for confirmed line-ups. If you bet too early, your player might be benched, moved to a wider role, or rested entirely. Early odds can be tempting, but team sheets often reveal the real value.

Pros of First Goalscorer Betting

First goalscorer bets remain popular for good reasons:

• Bigger odds than many standard markets.
• Easy to understand once you know the rules.
• Exciting from kick-off, because the bet is decided by the first goal.
• Good for player knowledge, especially if you follow team roles closely.
• Can reward tactical insight, such as identifying mismatches or set-piece threats.
• Variety of options, from elite strikers to defenders at long odds.

The market suits bettors who enjoy studying players, line-ups, and attacking patterns.

Cons and Risks

The downside is volatility. First goalscorer betting can feel harsh because one early corner, own goal, or penalty can kill the bet immediately.

Main drawbacks include:

• Low strike rate compared with safer markets.
• High variance, even with smart selections.
• Heavy bookmaker margin in many goalscorer markets.
• Line-up risk if you bet before team news.
• Randomness of the first goal, especially in open matches.
• Emotional betting risk, because famous strikers attract money even at poor prices.

Betting carries financial risk. Treat first goalscorer bets as speculative, stake sensibly, and avoid chasing losses after an early losing bet.

Common First Goalscorer Mistakes

Many bettors make the same errors in this market. Avoiding them can improve your decision-making.

Backing the Biggest Name Automatically

The most famous striker is not always the best bet. If the odds are too short, there may be no value. A player can be likely to score and still be a bad price.

Ignoring Penalty Takers

Penalties matter. A player who takes penalties can score first without needing open-play dominance. If two attackers have similar goal threat but one takes penalties, that difference is important.

Betting Before Line-Ups Without a Reason

Some early prices are valuable, but many are not worth the uncertainty. If the player does not start or plays out of position, your edge can disappear.

Forgetting About Set Pieces

Defenders and midfielders can be live runners if the opponent struggles at corners or free-kicks. A centre-back at 25/1 may be more interesting than a winger at 6/1 in the right match.

Chasing Long Shots Every Game

Backing 33/1 defenders can be fun, but long odds lose most of the time. If you take long prices, keep stakes small and make sure there is a real tactical reason.

Confusing First Goalscorer With Anytime Goalscorer

This is a basic but costly mistake. If you want your player to score at any point, choose anytime goalscorer. First goalscorer is a much stricter condition.

Practical Checklist Before Placing the Bet

Before placing a first goalscorer bet, ask:

• Is the player confirmed to start?
• What position is he playing today?
• Is he on penalties?
• Is he likely to play at least 70 minutes?
• Does his team create enough chances?
• Does the opponent concede chances from his type of attack?
• Are the odds fair compared with other bookmakers?
• Would I still like the bet if the player’s name was less famous?
• Is my stake small enough for a high-variance market?

If you cannot answer most of those questions, you may be guessing rather than betting with an edge.

Related First Goalscorer Terms

Here are common terms you may see beside this market:

• Anytime goalscorer: Your player must score at least once during the match.
• Last goalscorer: Your player must score the final goal of the match.
• First team goalscorer: Your player must score his team’s first goal.
• No goalscorer: Wins if the match finishes 0-0, or under some rules if only own goals are scored.
• Each-way first goalscorer: A bet split between first goalscorer and usually first few scorers, depending on bookmaker terms.
• Scorecast: A combined bet on the first goalscorer and correct score.
• Wincast: A combined bet on the first goalscorer and that player’s team to win.

Combination bets such as scorecast and wincast can offer big payouts, but they are even harder to land because multiple things must happen.

Is First Goalscorer a Good Bet?

A first goalscorer bet can be good if the price is right and your reasoning is strong. It is not a market to play blindly. The best selections usually combine role, team strength, penalty or set-piece involvement, opponent weakness, and odds value.

For casual bettors, it can add interest to a match with a small stake. For serious bettors, it requires discipline and price comparison. The aim is not to pick the obvious striker every time; it is to find players whose true chance is higher than the bookmaker’s odds suggest.

FAQ

What happens if my first goalscorer does not play?

If your selected player does not start, many bookmakers void the bet and return your stake. Some rules differ, especially in special markets, so check the terms. If the player starts and is substituted, the bet normally stands.

Does an own goal count in first goalscorer betting?

Usually, an own goal does not count as a named player first goalscorer. Some bookmakers continue settlement to the next valid goalscorer, while others have specific rules. The official bookmaker rules decide the outcome.

Is first goalscorer better than anytime goalscorer?

Neither is automatically better. First goalscorer offers bigger odds but is harder to win. Anytime goalscorer has shorter odds but gives your player the full match to score. Choose based on risk, price, and your view of the player’s role.

Can a goalkeeper be backed as first goalscorer?

Some bookmakers list all players, including goalkeepers, but a goalkeeper scoring first is extremely rare. It would usually require a penalty, free-kick, or freak incident. The odds may be huge, but the true chance is tiny.