No Goal / First Team to Score in Football Sports Betting – Explained in Detail
In football (soccer) betting, “First Team to Score” and “No Goal” are popular goal-related markets that allow bettors to predict which team will score the first goal in a match — or if no team will score at all.
1. What Does “First Team to Score” Mean?
The First Team to Score market means you are betting on which team will score the first goal in the match.
There are three possible outcomes:
- Team A to score first
- Team B to score first
- No Goal (if the match ends 0–0)
2. Example with Real Teams
Let’s take a match example:
Match: Manchester United Vs Chelsea
First Team to Score Market:
- Manchester United – 1.90
- Chelsea – 2.10
- No Goal – 8.00
Example 1:
You bet ₦5,000 on Manchester United to score first at 1.90 odds.
- If Manchester United scores first, you win:
- ₦5,000 × 1.90 = ₦9,500 (₦4,500 profit)
- If Chelsea scores first or the match ends 0–0, you lose.
Example 2:
You bet ₦2,000 on No Goal at 8.00 odds.
- If the match ends 0–0, you win:
- ₦2,000 × 8.00 = ₦16,000 (₦14,000 profit)
- If any team scores, you lose.
3. How “No Goal” Works
The “No Goal” option means you are betting that the game will end without any goals (0–0 draw).
It’s less common but offers higher odds, especially in matches between strong defensive teams.
Example:
- If you expect Atletico Madrid vs. Getafe to be a very tight game, you might pick No Goal.
4. Betting Tips for “First Team to Score” / “No Goal”
Tip 1: Study Team Form
- Teams that start matches aggressively (like Manchester City or Liverpool) often score early.
- Defensive teams (like Atletico Madrid or Inter Milan) might concede late or keep a 0–0 longer.
Tip 2: Check Recent Head-to-Head (H2H)
- If both teams usually have low-scoring encounters, No Goal or defensive first half bets might be smart.
Tip 3: Consider Venue
- Home teams tend to score first more often due to crowd support and confidence.
Tip 4: Look at Lineups
- Missing key strikers or attacking players increases the chance of No Goal or late goals.
Tip 5: Use Live Betting
- If the match starts slow (no goals after 20–25 minutes), odds for No Goal increase — good time to enter.
Example Scenario (Full Explanation)
Match: Arsenal vs. Newcastle United
| Option | Odds | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal to score first | 1.70 | Arsenal have scored first in 5 of last 6 home matches |
| Newcastle to score first | 2.80 | Newcastle often start slow away |
| No Goal | 9.00 | Both teams have low 0–0 rates |
If you bet ₦3,000 on “Arsenal to score first”:
- Arsenal scores first → You win ₦3,000 × 1.70 = ₦5,100
- Newcastle scores first or 0–0 → You lose your stake.
5. Summary
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| First Team to Score | Predicts which team scores first | Manchester United to score first |
| No Goal | Predicts 0–0 full-time score | No team scores in 90 mins |
| Best for | Goal market bettors | Matches with low or balanced scoring chances |
Final Betting Tip
If both teams are known for strong defense and few goals, “No Goal” can offer great value.
But if one team starts games fast, “First Team to Score” is safer.
Example combo tip:
“First Team to Score – Manchester City” + “Over 1.5 Goals” for higher combined odds.