What This Bet Means
This market is where you predict the time range of the first goal in a football match.
Bookmakers divide the first goal timing into intervals — in your case, every 15 minutes.
Typical intervals look like:
- 0:00 – 14:59 (1st–15th minute)
- 15:00 – 29:59 (16th–30th minute)
- 30:00 – 44:59 (31st–45th minute)
- No Goal in 1st Half
- Sometimes extended to the second half or “No Goal in Match.”
You bet on the interval you think the first goal will happen.
How It Works (Example with Teams)
Let’s say the match is Liverpool vs Brighton.
The bookmaker offers:
- 1st goal 0–15 mins @ 2.75
- 1st goal 16–30 mins @ 3.00
- 1st goal 31–45 mins @ 4.50
- No goal 1st half @ 5.00
Scenario 1:
You bet ₦5,000 on 1st goal 0–15 mins.
If Liverpool scores in the 9th minute, you win:
- ₦5,000 × 2.75 = ₦13,750.
Scenario 2:
You bet on 16–30 mins but the first goal comes in the 5th minute.
You lose the bet.
Why Team Style Matters
Different teams = different goal timing trends:
- Liverpool (High Press/Quick Start)
Often score early (0–15 mins) especially at Anfield.
This makes the 0–15 mins interval attractive. - Atletico Madrid (Defensive Start)
Often no early goals. The first goal might be 31–45 mins or even second half. - Brighton (Counter-attacks)
Might concede early to big teams, so again 0–15 mins could be valuable.
Checking stats like “average time of first goal” on sites like Flashscore or WhoScored can help you decide.
Betting Tips
Here are some actionable tips:
1. Check Team Stats
Look at:
- Average time of first goal scored
- Average time of first goal conceded
- % of matches with goals before 15 mins
If both teams have a high % of early goals, the 0–15 mins interval is stronger.
2. Look at Match Context
- Cup matches or must-win games often start slower (teams cautious early on).
- League matches with a heavy favourite can see early goals.
3. Live Betting
Some bookmakers let you bet on the next 15-min window live.
If the first 10 minutes look very open with chances, you can bet on a goal before 15 mins.
4. Compare Odds
Some intervals are overpriced. Example:
- Bookmaker A: 0–15 mins @ 2.50
- Bookmaker B: 0–15 mins @ 2.90
Always choose higher odds.
5. Hedge With “No Goal First Half”
If both teams are defensive, you can take “no goal in first half” which often has juicy odds.
Quick Example Table
| Interval (First Goal) | Liverpool vs Brighton Odds | Likely Based On Stats |
|---|---|---|
| 0–15 mins | 2.75 | Liverpool often start fast |
| 16–30 mins | 3.00 | Balanced teams |
| 31–45 mins | 4.50 | Slow games |
| No Goal 1st Half | 5.00 | Very defensive match |
If stats show Liverpool score 40% of their first goals in 0–15 mins at home, your edge increases.
Bottom Line
- This market is about timing, not just who scores.
- Study team’s first goal patterns + match importance.
- Short intervals (like 0–15 mins) = higher risk but better odds.
- Defensive teams or high-stakes games = later intervals or “No Goal 1st Half” bets.
Would you like me to make a simple chart showing “average first goal time” for top European clubs? (It’s a great cheat sheet for this bet.)