Goalscorer Markets Guide: All Types of Goalscorer Bets Explained

Complete guide to first goalscorer, anytime scorer, last scorer, and hat-trick betting markets with selection tips and value strategies.

intermediate8 min readLast updated: March 5, 2026Editorial Team
ET

Editorial Team

Betting Expert

Key Takeaways

  • ✓Anytime goalscorer markets offer the best balance of probability and payout — your player needs just one goal in 90 minutes.
  • ✓First goalscorer bets carry higher margins but offer bigger prices — penalty takers and set-piece specialists hold an edge.
  • ✓Last goalscorer is the least predictable market because it depends on when goals are scored, not just whether a player scores.
  • ✓Hat-trick bets offer huge odds but extremely low probability — they are high-variance novelty bets rather than serious strategy.
  • ✓Own goals typically void first goalscorer bets and do not count for anytime scorer markets — always check the rules.

Goalscorer betting is one of the most popular football markets, transforming every match into a player-level betting opportunity. Understanding the different market types and their quirks is essential for finding value.

First Goalscorer (FGS)

The first goalscorer market asks you to predict which player will score the opening goal of the match. It is the highest-profile goalscorer market with the biggest odds — and the widest margins.

Key factors for FGS selection:

  • Penalty takers have an inherent advantage — they get additional scoring opportunities from the spot
  • Set-piece specialists who attack corners and free kicks score early goals disproportionately
  • Players who start strongly — some strikers are known for fast starts, scoring within the first 15 minutes regularly

A typical FGS price for a prolific striker might be 5.00-7.00, while a midfielder could be 10.00-15.00.

Anytime Goalscorer (AGS)

The anytime goalscorer market is the most popular and arguably the most bettor-friendly. Your selection needs to score at least one goal during the 90 minutes. Prices are shorter than FGS but the probability of winning is substantially higher.

Key factors for AGS selection:

  • xG (expected goals) per 90 minutes — the best predictor of scoring frequency
  • Minutes played — a player who regularly plays 90 minutes has more opportunities than a substitute
  • Opponent defensive record — check goals conceded and xG against
  • Home/away scoring splits — some players score significantly more at home

Last Goalscorer

The last goalscorer market is the hardest to predict because it depends not just on who scores but on the timing and pattern of goals. A striker who scores in the 60th minute only counts if no one scores after them.

This market typically offers similar odds to FGS but with even less predictability. Substitutes who come on late can score last goals, making selection more random.

Hat-Trick Betting

Hat-trick markets offer eye-catching odds — typically 20.00-50.00 for top strikers. The probability is genuinely low: even the most prolific Premier League scorers manage only 1-3 hat-tricks per season across 38 games.

Hat-trick bets are high-variance entertainment rather than a sustainable strategy. If you bet them, focus on elite scorers facing weak opposition in matches with high expected goal totals.

Goalscorer Doubles and Combos

Many bookmakers allow you to combine goalscorer selections with match result or other markets in same-game parlays. A popular combination is "Player X anytime scorer + Team Y to win" — which correlates naturally since a team is more likely to win if their player scores.

Be aware that bookmakers adjust odds on correlated selections, so the combined price may not offer as much value as it appears.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an anytime goalscorer bet?+
An anytime goalscorer bet wins if your selected player scores at least one goal during the match (90 minutes plus added time). It does not matter when the goal is scored or how many others score. This is the most popular goalscorer market due to its relative simplicity.
What happens to a first goalscorer bet if the match ends 0-0?+
If no goals are scored, all first goalscorer bets are losers. Your stake is not returned. Some bookmakers offer 'no goalscorer' as a separate selection to cover this outcome.
Do own goals count in goalscorer markets?+
In most cases, own goals do not count. For first goalscorer bets, if the first goal is an own goal, bets are typically void on all selections and the market resets to the second goal. For anytime scorer, own goals do not count towards your player's tally. Always check specific bookmaker rules.
What happens if my goalscorer selection is substituted?+
If your first goalscorer selection does not start or is substituted before any goal is scored, most bookmakers refund the stake. For anytime scorer, if your player is substituted after coming on, the bet stands — they simply had fewer minutes to score.
Which goalscorer market offers the best value?+
Anytime goalscorer generally offers the best value for informed bettors because the market is more efficient and you only need one goal. First goalscorer has higher margins built in. Last goalscorer and hat-trick markets are high-variance and difficult to profit from consistently.

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Goalscorer Markets Guide: All Types of Goalscorer Bets Explained | Betmana - Sports Betting