First Goalscorer vs Anytime Goalscorer: Which Bet Is Better?

The longer odds on the first goalscorer look like a gift, but that isn’t always the case. Most punters never realise how the maths actually works.

I’ll compare the first vs anytime goalscorer markets and reveal the differences that will help you choose the right bet. You’ll also learn about the hidden margin bookmakers add, and I’ll showcase an example from the Premiership.

First and Anytime Goalscorer: What Each Market Actually Means

Before we compare the two betting markets, let’s take a closer look at what each one means.

Anytime Goalscorer

So, in anytime goalscorer betting we pick a player and win if that player scores at least once during the match. Own goals do not count.

The bet typically covers the full 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalty shootouts are usually excluded.

In my experience, this market is forgiving. Your player could score in the third minute or the 93rd.

First Goalscorer

Alternatively, first goalscorer betting means you are backing them to score before anyone else does. If your player nets the second goal of the match, you lose. If they come off the bench after the first goal has already been scored, your bet is void.

Furthermore, own goals are ignored completely, meaning a scrambled deflection can wipe out your selection without anyone getting credited.

Example of Erling Haaland at the Etihad

Imagine that Manchester City hosts Brentford in a Premier League clash. Haaland is the market favourite, and the odds are set by the bookies as follows:

• Anytime goalscorer odds: 1.80
• First goalscorer odds: 3.75

You stake £10 on either market.

If Haaland scores the only goal of the game in the 40th minute, both bets win.

• The anytime punter collects £18 total (£8 profit).
• The first goalscorer punter collects £37.50 (£27.50 profit).

Now, let’s consider that someone else scores first and Haaland scores twice later. The anytime punter still wins, whereas the first-goalscorer punter loses every penny. Therefore, the anytime goalscorer is much more forgiving than the first time market.

First vs Anytime Goalscorer Comparison At a Glance

Here is how the two markets stack up against each other:

Feature	Anytime Goalscorer	First Goalscorer
What you need to happen	Your player scores at any point in the match	Your player scores the very first goal
Typical odds	Shorter at around 1.80 to 2.50	Longer at around 3.50 to 6.00
Survival of early opposition goal	Fine since your player can still score later	Disaster because your bet is dead
Substitute goals count	Yes, if they score at any time	Only if they score before anyone else
Own goal impact	Ignored as your player still needs a clean goal	Ignored, but can rob you of the opener
Best for	Building bankrolls and consistent returns	Thrill seekers and low-stake lottery tickets

Added comparison: The top goalscorer market is an entirely different animal. Unlike the single-match sprint of an anytime or first goalscorer bet, this is a season-long marathon focused on total league goals. Hence, this market rewards long-term consistency over explosive single-game performances.

What Punters Get Wrong

Most punters chase the bigger first-goalscorer payout without realising how the two markets actually compare on value, risk, and real-world match dynamics.

Here are three specific misunderstandings that cost you money.

The Odds Gap Overstates the Real Difficulty

Bookmakers make the first goalscorer look far more attractive than it really is. An elite Premier League striker scores in roughly 42% of matches but opens the scoring in only about 11%. That is a 31-point drop.

Yet the odds shift from roughly 2.40 to 6.00. The extra margin on the first goalscorer is nearly 6% higher. Hence, you are not getting compensated for the true risk.

Anytime Bets Handle Match Chaos, First Bets Do Not

A single own goal in the third minute destroys your first-goalscorer slip. This includes a red card, a penalty miss, or a VAR review. Any early twist can kill your bet before your player touches the ball.

Anytime bets shrug off all of that. Your striker can score in the 89th minute after a nightmare first half, and you still get paid. I’ve found this betting type to be more relaxing than the stress of first goalscorer betting, although it’s worth bearing in mind – emotion doesn’t necessarily mean value. Wealthy sports bettors like Tony Bloom have made their fortunes from value and exploiting other gamblers’ emotions.

Substitutes are Invisible to First-Goalscorer Punters

Over 20% of Premier League goals now come from substitutes. Ollie Watkins or Darwin Nunez coming off the bench to score is gold for an anytime backer. For a first-goalscorer punter, that goal only matters if the score is still 0-0, which is rare after the 60th minute.

By ignoring substitutes, first-goalscorer markets exclude a genuine source of goals. You are betting against a huge chunk of actual scoring events.

Place your First and Anytime Goalscorer Bets Today

Anytime goalscorer wins steadily, pays reliably, and makes perfect sense for anyone tracking goals per 90 minutes. I recommend using it as part of a sustainable long-term strategy.

In comparison, first goalscorer bets are spectacular when they land, but rare enough that you should treat them as a statistical anomaly.

Choose your approach based on whether you value consistency or the thrill of the long shot. Both types of bets can work with the right strategy, so consistency is key.

Related: The Highest-Scoring Football Matches Ever: Full Record List