What Does “To Score a Header” Mean in Football Betting?
The “To Score a Header” market is a special player prop bet where you wager on whether a specific player will score a goal with their head during a match.
A header goal means:
- The ball must touch the player’s head and go directly into the net (even if slightly deflected).
- Goals scored with any other body part (foot, chest, shoulder, etc.) do not count.
- Usually applies to normal time (90 minutes + injury time), unless otherwise stated.
Example: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Let’s say there’s a match:
Manchester City vs Newcastle United
Bookmaker offers:
- Erling Haaland to score a header: 5.00 (4/1)
- No header goal by Haaland: 1.16 (1/6)
If you bet ₦1,000 on Haaland to score a header and he does:
- Example: Kevin De Bruyne crosses the ball, and Haaland heads it in → You win ₦5,000 total (₦4,000 profit).
If Haaland scores with his foot or a penalty kick → the bet loses because it wasn’t a header.
Why This Bet Matters
This market focuses on:
- Aerial ability – Players who are strong in the air.
- Set pieces & crosses – Teams that rely on corners and wide play.
- Positioning – Strikers or tall midfielders often score headers.
Players Known for Scoring Headers
| Player | Team | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | Man City | Excellent positioning, tall, strong in the air |
| Olivier Giroud | AC Milan | Classic target man, great header technique |
| Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | Times runs perfectly for crosses |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Al Nassr | Powerful leap and precision headers |
| Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | Threat from corners and free kicks |
Example Scenario
Match: Manchester United vs Chelsea
Bet: “Cristiano Ronaldo to score a header” at 7.00 odds
- In the 60th minute, Bruno Fernandes crosses from the right.
- Ronaldo jumps and heads the ball into the net.
You win.
But if Ronaldo scores a penalty or taps in with his foot — the bet loses.
Betting Tips
- Check Player’s Aerial Stats
- Look at past matches: how many headed goals they’ve scored.
Example: Haaland scores ~20–25% of his goals via headers.
- Look at past matches: how many headed goals they’ve scored.
- Study Team Tactics
- Teams that use wingers or rely on crosses (like Liverpool or Real Madrid) produce more header chances.
- Corner and Set Piece Volume
- More corners = more opportunities for headers.
Bet on defenders like Van Dijk or Sergio Ramos in such cases.
- More corners = more opportunities for headers.
- Opponent’s Weakness
- If the opposing team struggles defending aerial balls (short defenders, poor marking), it increases header goal chances.
- Weather Conditions
- Rain or wind can affect aerial duels — be cautious in poor weather.
- Use “Anytime Scorer” as Backup
- If odds are too long for “header goal,” consider Anytime Goalscorer for safer returns.
Example Betting Strategy
- Primary Bet: Erling Haaland to score a header @ 5.00
- Backup Bet: Haaland to score anytime @ 1.75
If he scores a header → You win both bets.
If he scores with his foot → You still win the “anytime” bet.
Summary
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Market | Player to score with a header |
| Key Factors | Height, aerial ability, crossing tactics |
| Example | Haaland to score a header vs Newcastle |
| Common Odds Range | 4.00 – 10.00 |
| Best Used When | Facing teams weak in the air or giving away corners |
Would you like me to create a table of the top 10 current players (2025) most likely to score headers — with stats and betting insight?