What This Market Means
- “Next Team to Score (Goal 1)” = Which team will score the first goal in the match.
- It’s a live or pre-match market offered by many sportsbooks.
- Your bet wins if the team you selected scores the first goal of the match.
- If no goal is scored (0–0 FT), most bookmakers void the bet or settle it as “No Goal” depending on the market option.
Variations:
- Next Team to Score (Goal 2) → Which team will score the second goal, and so on.
- You can also find “No Goal” as an option.
How Bookmakers Display It
Example (Chelsea vs. Manchester United):
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Next Team to Score (Goal 1): Chelsea | 1.95 |
| Next Team to Score (Goal 1): Man Utd | 2.15 |
| No Goal | 8.00 |
If you bet on Chelsea and they score the first goal, your bet wins.
If Man Utd scores first, you lose.
If the match ends 0–0, “No Goal” wins or bet is voided (depends on bookie rules).
Real Club Examples
Example 1
- Match: Real Madrid vs. Villarreal (La Liga)
- Real Madrid at home is known for aggressive starts.
- Bookmaker odds:
- Real Madrid (Goal 1): 1.60
- Villarreal (Goal 1): 2.90
- No Goal: 15.00
You back Real Madrid to score first.
- If Vinícius Jr. scores in the 10th minute for Madrid → Bet wins.
- If Villarreal’s Morales scores first → Bet loses.
Example 2
- Match: Manchester City vs. Arsenal (Premier League)
- Odds:
- Man City (Goal 1): 1.55
- Arsenal (Goal 1): 2.50
- No Goal: 12.00
You bet Arsenal to score first.
- If Saka scores in the 5th minute → Bet wins.
- If Haaland scores first for City → Bet loses.
Factors to Consider Before Betting
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Team’s starting style | Some clubs (Man City, Bayern) press early and score first often. |
| Home vs. Away | Home teams with fans behind them tend to start strongly. |
| Line-ups | Key forwards missing? More likely for the other team to score first. |
| Match importance | Big games sometimes start cautiously, increasing “No Goal” or underdog chance. |
| Head-to-head stats | Historical first-goal trends can be revealing. |
| Weather & Pitch | Poor conditions can slow attacking sides, affecting early goals. |
Betting Tips
Tip 1: Check Early-Goal Stats
Look at both teams’ average time of first goal scored and conceded.
Example: If Team A scores first in 75% of its last 10 games, that’s a strong indicator.
Tip 2: Consider “No Goal” in Low-Scoring Leagues
In some leagues (e.g., Serie A or French Ligue 1) you often see 0–0 first halves. Odds for “No Goal” can be valuable.
Tip 3: Use Live Betting
Watch the first 5–10 minutes. If one side dominates possession and attacks, the odds might still be generous before the goal.
Tpis 4: Combine With Other Markets
Example: If you think Team A will score first and win, look for “Team A to score first & win” (better odds).
Tip 5: Don’t Ignore the Underdog
If the favorite starts slowly, an underdog’s first goal bet can be high-value (odds 3.00+).
Quick Snapshot Table
| Match | Likely Team to Score First | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bayern Munich vs. Mainz | Bayern Munich | High pressing, home advantage |
| Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace | Liverpool | Anfield early pressure |
| Juventus vs. Napoli | Could go either way | Tactical cautious start |
Would you like me to make a chart of “average first goal” stats for top European clubs (it’s really handy for this market)?