What “First to Score for Their Team” Means
This market is slightly different from “First Goal Scorer” or “Anytime Goal Scorer”:
- First Goal Scorer = The first player to score the first goal of the whole match.
- First to Score for Their Team = The first player to score a goal for a specific team, regardless of whether the opponent scored first.
So, you’re betting on which player will score that team’s first goal — not necessarily the first goal of the match.
Example: Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Let’s imagine you’re looking at the market “First to Score for Manchester City”:
- You see odds for players like:
- Erling Haaland – 2.50
- Julian Álvarez – 4.50
- Phil Foden – 6.00
- Kevin De Bruyne – 8.00
If you back Erling Haaland and City’s first goal of the game is scored by him, you win the bet — even if Real Madrid already scored before that.
Example scenarios:
- Scenario 1: Real Madrid scores first (1–0), then Haaland scores to make it 1–1. Your bet wins (Haaland = City’s first scorer).
- Scenario 2: Haaland scores the first goal of the match (1–0 City). Your bet wins.
- Scenario 3: Foden scores City’s first goal. Your bet loses.
Another Example: Nigeria vs Ghana
Market: “First to Score for Nigeria”
- Victor Osimhen – 3.00
- Ademola Lookman – 6.00
- Kelechi Iheanacho – 7.50
If you back Osimhen and:
- Ghana scores first, but Osimhen scores Nigeria’s first goal → win
- Osimhen scores the first goal of the match → win
- Another Nigerian scores first → lose
Key Differences vs Other Scorer Bets
| Market | When you win |
|---|---|
| First Goal Scorer | Player scores the first goal of the match (any team). |
| First to Score for Team | Player scores their team’s first goal (even if opponent scored before). |
| Anytime Scorer | Player scores at any time in the match. |
Betting Tips for “First to Score for Their Team”
- Check Team’s Lineups
- Make sure the player is starting. Substitutes are much less likely to be first scorers.
- Look at Penalty / Free-Kick Takers
- Players who take penalties or free-kicks (Haaland, Kane, Osimhen) are more likely to score first for their team.
- Consider Playing Position
- Forwards and attacking midfielders usually score first more often than defenders.
- Check Opponent’s Defence
- If the opposition concedes a lot of headers, target strong aerial players for “first scorer” bets.
- Use Stats
- Sites like WhoScored or SofaScore show “First Goal” or “Opening Scorer” stats for each player.
- Compare Odds with Anytime Scorer
- Sometimes “First to Score for Team” gives much higher value than “Anytime Scorer” for the same player.
- In-Play Opportunities
- Some bookies offer this bet live. If a star striker looks lively after kick-off, odds may still be attractive.
Example Tip in Action
Match: Liverpool vs Chelsea
- Salah (First to Score for Liverpool) at odds 3.00
- Nunez at 3.50
You know Salah is Liverpool’s penalty taker and has scored Liverpool’s first goal in 6 of their last 10 games.
→ This increases your probability, making the bet better value.
Would you like me to also break down **“First to Score for Team” vs “Team’s First Goal Scorer in 2nd Half” (a related market)? That one is also common in football betting.