“1st Goal” Betting Explained
This market is about which team will score the first goal of the match (or sometimes which player will score first — a slightly different bet).
- Bookmakers usually offer:
- Team A to score the first goal
- Team B to score the first goal
- No goal (0–0) — sometimes labelled as “No Goal” or “No First Goal”
Example with a Team:
Match: Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur
- Odds might look like this:
- Man City – First Goal: 1.45
- Tottenham – First Goal: 3.60
- No Goal (0–0): 11.00
If you bet ₦10,000 on Man City to score the first goal at 1.45 and they indeed score first, you get ₦14,500 back (₦10,000 x 1.45).
Key Factors to Check Before Betting:
- Form and Attack Power: Man City score early often (especially at home). Tottenham sometimes start slow.
- Lineups: Is Erling Haaland starting? Are Tottenham’s key defenders injured?
- Home Advantage: Home teams statistically score first more often.
Tips for “First Goal” Betting:
- Check average first-goal time in team stats. Some teams are strong starters; others wait for the second half.
- In “derby” or big matches, teams sometimes start cautiously — so “No First Goal” or “Under 0.5 goals in first half” can have value.
- If a team is missing its top striker, the risk of them scoring first decreases significantly.
“1X2” Betting Explained
This is the most common football bet — it’s about the match result:
- 1 = Home team win
- X = Draw
- 2 = Away team win
This market includes regular time only (90 minutes + injury time; not extra time or penalties unless specified).
Example with a Team:
Match: Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Odds might look like:
- 1 (Man City win): 1.40
- X (Draw): 4.60
- 2 (Tottenham win): 7.00
If you bet ₦10,000 on “X” (draw) at 4.60 and the match ends 2–2, you win ₦46,000.
How 1X2 Differs from 1st Goal:
- 1st Goal focuses on who scores first.
- 1X2 focuses on the final outcome.
A team can score first but still lose.
Example: Tottenham score first (your “first goal” bet wins), but Man City come back to win 3–1 (your “1X2” bet on Tottenham would lose).
Tips for 1X2 Betting:
- Check head-to-head stats: Does Man City usually beat Tottenham at the Etihad?
- Check injuries & rotations: If City rest players before Champions League, odds may shift.
- Use “Draw No Bet” or Double Chance (1X or X2) for safer plays if unsure.
- Don’t just pick the favourite blindly — odds reflect public perception; sometimes value is on the underdog or draw.
Combining Both Markets (Advanced Strategy)
Sometimes you can combine or hedge “1st Goal” and “1X2” bets:
- Bet Man City to score the first goal.
- Bet Tottenham or Draw in 1X2 (X2).
If City score first but Tottenham equalize and draw, you lose the “first goal” bet but win the “X2” bet at higher odds — a hedge.
Quick Table for Clarity:
| Market | What You Bet On | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Goal | Team to score first or no goal | “Man City to score first” |
| 1X2 | Match outcome (1=home, X=draw, 2=away) | “1” Man City to win |
Would you like me to also cover “First Goal + 1X2 combined bets” (some bookies offer it as “Team to score first & win”)? That’s a common next step and can yield high odds.