Goalscorer betting is one of the most exciting markets on Bet9ja, and one of the most misunderstood. Most punters only know "Anytime Goalscorer," but there are actually three distinct markets with very different risk profiles.
Here's the deal. First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, and Anytime Goalscorer each require different strategies. Using the wrong one is like playing poker without knowing the hand rankings.
This guide breaks down all three markets with real data, shows you which players to target, and explains how to build goalscorer accumulators that actually have a mathematical foundation.
⚽ In the 2024/25 Premier League season, 68% of matches had their first goal scored before the 35th minute: making First Goalscorer a viable market for in-form strikers.
First Goalscorer: High Odds, High Risk
The First Goalscorer (FGS) market requires your selected player to score the very first goal of the match. No other goal counts: only the opener. This is why odds are typically 4.00 to 15.00 for this market.
Why does this matter? In a match with 22 players, you're essentially predicting which one of them will do something first. Even the best strikers only score the first goal in roughly 15 to 20% of their matches.
How to Find FGS Value
- Target penalty takers: Players who take penalties have a built-in advantage for FGS. Teams like Arsenal and Man City win 70%+ of their first-half penalties.
- Look at early goal records: Some strikers peak in the first 15 minutes. Check player-level data on sites like FBref for shot timing.
- Favour home teams: Home sides score first in approximately 52% of Premier League matches.
⚠️ FGS bets are voided if your player doesn't feature in the match. Always check team news before kick-off: our booking codes guide explains how to adjust slips before matches start.
Last Goalscorer: The Unpredictable Market
Last Goalscorer (LGS) is the riskiest of the three markets. You need your player to score the final goal of the match: which could come in the 12th minute or the 94th.
But here's the thing. Late substitutions make LGS especially volatile. A striker who's been on the pitch for 85 minutes can be subbed off, eliminating any chance of scoring the last goal. This unpredictability is reflected in the odds, which are similar to FGS.
The one strategic edge: target players in matches likely to be high-scoring (3+ goals). In such games, the last goal tends to come late, favouring forwards who play the full 90 minutes. Check our BTTS guide to identify high-scoring fixtures.
Anytime Goalscorer: The Best All-Round Market
Anytime Goalscorer (AGS) pays out if your selected player scores at any point in the 90 minutes. It doesn't matter if it's the first goal, the last goal, or the 4th goal in a 5-0 rout. One goal is enough.
This makes AGS the most popular goalscorer market: and for good reason. Odds typically range from 1.50 for elite strikers to 4.00+ for defenders and midfielders. The implied probability is much more forgiving than FGS.
📊 Top Premier League strikers score in 45 to 55% of their starts, making AGS odds of 1.80 to 2.20 frequently offer positive expected value.
For a deep dive into our current AGS picks with specific players and booking codes, see the Anytime Goalscorer weekend picks guide.
All Three Markets Compared
| Feature | First Goalscorer | Last Goalscorer | Anytime Goalscorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Odds | 4.00 to 15.00 | 4.00 to 12.00 | 1.50 to 4.00 |
| Win Probability | 8 to 20% | 8 to 18% | 30 to 55% |
| Risk Level | High | Very High | Medium |
| Best For | High-odds singles | Long shots | Accumulators, regular picks |
| Voided if Not Playing? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Own Goals Count? | No | No | No |
One critical rule across all three markets: own goals do not count. If your player's shot deflects off a defender and is credited as an own goal, your goalscorer bet loses. Bet9ja follows standard settlement rules based on official match statistics.
How to Place a Goalscorer Bet on Bet9ja
- Log in to your Bet9ja account (or register with code YOHAIG).
- Navigate to the match: Use the left sidebar or search to find your fixture.
- Click "More Markets": Goalscorer markets aren't shown on the main match page. You need to expand the full market list.
- Select your market: Choose First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, or Anytime Goalscorer.
- Pick your player: Scroll through the player list and click to add to your bet slip.
- Enter your stake: Follow bankroll management principles. For AGS accas, keep stakes at 1-2% of bankroll.
- Confirm your bet: Review and submit.
You can also use booking codes to share goalscorer selections. Load a code at a Bet9ja shop or online to pre-populate your bet slip.
Building a Goalscorer Accumulator
But that's not all. Goalscorer accumulators are where the real excitement (and risk) lies. A 3-fold AGS acca with odds of 2.00, 1.90, and 2.10 gives combined odds of 7.98: nearly 8/1 from three favourites.
The key rule: only combine Anytime Goalscorer picks in accumulators. FGS and LGS have too-low individual probabilities to survive multiplication across multiple legs.
Selection Criteria for AGS Accas
Penalty takers: Adds 10-15% extra scoring probability per match
xG above 0.60 per 90: Players consistently creating high-quality chances
Home matches: Strikers average 22% more goals at home than away
Defenders and goalkeepers: Unless it's a set-piece specialist, avoid
Players with rotation risk: Cup matches mid-week? Manager quotes about "freshening up"? Skip
Common Goalscorer Betting Mistakes
Even experienced bettors make these errors in goalscorer markets. Avoid them and you're already ahead of 90% of punters.
Betting on names, not form
A star striker who hasn't scored in 6 matches is cold regardless of reputation. Always check recent scoring form.
Ignoring the opponent's defence
A prolific scorer vs the league's best defence is a different proposition than vs the worst. Context matters.
Mixing FGS and AGS in accas
One FGS leg at 8% probability tanks your entire acca. Keep accas pure-AGS for better hit rates.
Not checking team news
Your player needs to actually play. Check confirmed lineups 1 hour before kick-off on the livescore page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between First, Last, and Anytime Goalscorer?
First Goalscorer pays only if your selected player scores the opening goal of the match. Last Goalscorer pays if they score the final goal. Anytime Goalscorer pays if the player scores at any point during the match, regardless of when.
Do goalscorer bets include extra time?
On Bet9ja, standard goalscorer markets cover 90 minutes plus added time only. Goals scored in extra time or penalty shootouts do not count unless the market specifically states 'including extra time.'
What happens if my goalscorer pick doesn't start?
If your selected player is not in the starting XI and does not enter the match as a substitute, your bet is typically voided and your stake returned. If they come on as a sub but don't score, the bet loses.
Can I combine goalscorer bets in an accumulator?
Yes. On Bet9ja, you can combine anytime goalscorer selections from different matches into an accumulator. Some restrictions apply to combining multiple goalscorer markets from the same match.
Which goalscorer market has the best value?
Anytime Goalscorer generally offers the best risk-reward balance for most bettors. First Goalscorer offers higher odds but lower probability, while Last Goalscorer is the most unpredictable due to late substitutions.
Sources
- Opta Sports: Premier League first goal timing analysis, 2024/25 season data.
- FBref / StatsBomb: Player-level first goalscorer frequency data, top 5 European leagues, 2024/25.
- Transfermarkt: Penalty award and conversion statistics by team, Premier League 2024/25.
- Premier League Official: Home vs away first goal statistics, 2020 to 2025.
- Understat: xG and goal conversion rates for top strikers, 2024/25 season.
- Bet9ja Official Rules: Goalscorer market settlement rules, Section 14, 2026.
- WhoScored: Home vs away goal splits for Premier League strikers, 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons.
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