Want to know something brilliant about anytime goalscorer bets? Your selected player only needs to score once during 90 minutes, and you win! The beauty does lie in its simplicity.
I have been using anytime goalscorer betting as one of my go-to markets for years now, and it’s become one of the most rewarding and fun options in football betting. I always recommend this market to beginners looking to get started because, unlike first or last goalscorer bets, anytime goalscorer markets give your player the full match to find the net, regardless of other goals scored.
When you place an anytime goalscorer bet, you’re backing a specific player to score at any point during the match, excluding extra time or penalties. Take Mohamed Salah who scored in 24 different games last season – that’s exactly why he became such a popular choice among punters, I know.
What makes this market so attractive for punters like you? The odds strike a perfect balance between risk and reward. You can also create excellent multiple bets with anytime goalscorer selections – I’ve seen trebles bring odds of around 20/1!
I created this guide to help you understand everything about winning anytime goalscorer bets – from the basics right through to expert strategies that will give you an edge. Let’s improve your betting success together!
Understanding Anytime Goalscorer Bets
The anytime goalscorer market stands out as one of the most straightforward betting options in football. Before you place your first bet, let’s explore what makes this market tick and why it might be your best entry point into football betting.
What does anytime goalscorer mean?
The concept behind anytime goalscorer betting is remarkably simple: you select a specific player to score a goal at any point during the match. If your chosen player finds the net within the standard 90 minutes plus injury time, your bet wins. The beauty of this market lies in its clarity – it doesn’t matter if your player scores the first goal, the tenth goal, or a consolation goal in the final minutes.
Most bookmakers only count goals scored during regular time (90 minutes plus stoppage time), excluding extra time or penalties. Own goals never count toward anytime goalscorer bets. Simple as that!
How does it differ from first and last goalscorer bets
While first goalscorer bets require your selected player to score the opening goal of the match, and last goalscorer bets need them to score the final goal, anytime goalscorer bets give you a much wider window of opportunity.
Here are the key differences:
- Anytime goalscorer: Player scores at any point (lower risk, lower odds)
- First goalscorer: Player must score the first goal (higher risk, higher odds)
- Last goalscorer: Player must score the final goal (higher risk, higher odds)
First and last goalscorer markets typically offer larger payouts precisely because they’re harder to win. However, as many experts note, the anytime goalscorer market generally makes more sense for informed betting.
Why is this market popular among beginners
The appeal to beginners is straightforward – you have multiple chances to win throughout the entire match. Even if your team goes behind early or your player starts on the bench, your bet remains alive until the final whistle.
The anytime goalscorer market offers a perfect balance between risk and reward. The odds are reasonable while still providing exciting returns, particularly when you’ve done your research on in-form players.
This market doesn’t require complex analysis either, making it ideal for those just starting their betting journey. Want to get started? Let’s look at the key rules you need to know.
Key Rules You Must Know
Getting the rules wrong can cost you money, so I want to make sure you understand exactly how anytime goalscorer bets work before you place your first wager.
I have seen too many punters lose money simply because they didn’t understand the basic rules that bookmakers apply. Let me walk you through the essential rules that directly impact whether your bet wins, loses, or gets voided.
The player must play for the bet to count
Your chosen player must actually step onto the pitch for your bet to remain valid. If your selected player doesn’t take part at all, most bookmakers will void your bet and return your stake.
Here’s what I’ve learned from years of placing these bets – once your player steps onto the pitch, even for just a minute, your bet becomes active. A late substitution could give your player minimal time to score, yet the bet remains valid.
This is exactly why I always check team lineups before placing my bets.
Goals in extra time or own goals don’t count
Anytime goalscorer bets only cover the standard 90 minutes plus any injury/stoppage time added by the match official. Extra periods in cup matches or tournaments do not count toward these bets.
Own goals never count for anytime goalscorer bets – your player must score for their team in the correct goal. I have seen punters get confused when the only goals in a match are own goals, but “No Goalscorer” markets would win instead.
How different bookmakers handle voids and substitutions
Most bookmakers share common approaches to void conditions, though minor differences exist. If a player doesn’t participate, the bet is void – that’s standard across the industry.
Your bet stands if your chosen player enters at any point, regardless of when goals have already been scored. I’ve had winning bets where my player came on as a late substitute and scored in injury time.
For abandoned matches, if your player has already scored before abandonment, your bet wins. If they’ve left the field without scoring, your bet loses.
Anytime goalscorer rules vs first goalscorer each way
First goalscorer each-way bets work differently from standard anytime goalscorer bets. With each-way bets, you’re placing two separate bets – one on the player to score first, another on them to score anytime.
The place terms are typically 1/3 of the odds. You can potentially win both parts of your bet if your player scores the opening goal, offering greater returns than a simple anytime goalscorer bet.
I have used these each-way bets when I’m confident about a player scoring but want some insurance if they don’t score first.
8 Expert Anytime Goalscorer Tips
Winning at anytime goalscorer betting requires more than just picking famous names. I’ve used these eight proven strategies over the years to help punters like you make smarter selections and boost your chances of success.
1. Prioritise penalty and set-piece takers
Players who take penalties have an extra route to scoring that significantly increases their goal potential. With Premier League penalties carrying a 0.78 expected goal value and conversion rates reaching 89.7% last season, these specialists offer tremendous value. Players like James Ward-Prowse stand out with their remarkable 12.7% free-kick conversion rate, making set-piece takers excellent choices regardless of their position.
I always check who’s on penalty duty before placing my bets – it can make the difference between winning and losing.
2. Focus on players with consistent scoring form
Don’t just back big names – prioritise players demonstrating actual scoring consistency. Take Ollie Watkins, who scored in 11 of 16 Premier League games in the second half of 2022-23, yet his odds remained around 2.5-3.0 to score anytime. Check recent performances over reputation every time.
3. Target weak defences and favourable matchups
Look for the defensive vulnerabilities of opposing teams. Last season, backing strikers against Leeds United proved profitable due to their leaky defence. Examine teams with high expected goals against (xGA) or those struggling with aerial threats or set-pieces.
This approach has saved me money on countless occasions when big names failed against solid defences.
4. Use xG and shot data to find hidden value
Expected Goals (xG) helps identify players underperforming their expected output. These players often represent value as they’re statistically “due” a goal. Tools like Understat and FBref provide free xG data to spot these opportunities.
5. Check player roles and average positions
Many players listed as midfielders play advanced attacking roles. Look beyond official positions – check heatmaps and average positions. Players like Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard often have longer odds despite regularly finding attacking positions.
6. Time your bets with confirmed team news
Place bets after lineup announcements to avoid wagering on benched players. Teams typically announce formations an hour before kickoff, providing a brief window where odds may not yet adjust to surprising selections.
This simple tip alone will improve your success rate dramatically.
7. Compare anytime goalscorer odds across bookies
Odds variations between bookmakers can be substantial – up to a 20% difference for the same player. Using odds comparison sites can substantially improve returns over time.
8. Build smart accumulators with low-risk picks
Combine shorter-odds selections into accumulators for potentially larger returns. A three-player accumulator could yield odds around 6.84, transforming modest individual odds into an attractive combined payout.
Follow these tips and I’m confident you’ll see your anytime goalscorer betting improve. Remember to always bet responsibly and only gamble what you can afford to lose.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Even experienced punters make crucial mistakes that can derail their anytime goalscorer betting success. I’ve seen these pitfalls cost bettors money, time and time again, so let me help you avoid them.
Betting on big names without checking form
Here’s one of the most frequent errors I see – backing famous players based purely on reputation. Just because a player is well-known doesn’t guarantee they’ll score. Many punters place wagers on star forwards without examining their recent performances or match statistics.
Check the player’s goal-scoring pattern against different clubs before placing your bet. If a player like Raheem Sterling hasn’t scored in six consecutive 90-minute appearances, he’s likely not in form and probably won’t score in the upcoming match either.
Don’t fall into this trap!
Ignoring team lineups and late changes
Team news can dramatically alter betting outcomes, yet many punters fail to wait for confirmed lineups. Official formations are typically announced one hour before kickoff on team social media accounts. Bookmakers may not have enough time to adjust odds accordingly, creating valuable opportunities for attentive bettors.
Always confirm your player is starting rather than being benched, as this could mean minimal playing time through a late substitution. Betting without checking lineups can cost you dearly.
Overvaluing players with occasional hat-tricks
Don’t be overly influenced by players who occasionally score multiple goals in a single match. Focus on consistent scorers across multiple games. Anytime goalscorer bets pay out only once, regardless of how many goals your selected player scores.
A player who scores in many different matches is more valuable than one who occasionally nets hat-tricks but goes goalless in most games.
Forgetting to check prediction stats
Many punters neglect to analyse important statistics beyond basic goal tallies. Consider examining metrics like expected goals (xG), shooting accuracy, and performance against specific defensive setups.
Players whose expected goals exceed their actual output may represent value, as they’re creating chances but experiencing bad luck. Some players might be overperforming their xG, suggesting their scoring rate might soon decline.
I always tell my readers – do your research properly and these mistakes will become a thing of the past.
Anytime Goalscorer Betting – The Conclusion
Anytime goalscorer betting offers a perfect entry point for beginners while still providing excitement for experienced punters. I have shown you how this market strikes an ideal balance between accessibility and reward potential. Unlike more complex betting options, these wagers remain active throughout the entire match, giving your selected player ample opportunity to find the net.
Successful anytime goalscorer betting requires strategic thinking rather than simply backing the biggest names. Players who take penalties or set-pieces deserve special attention because they have additional scoring opportunities. Consistently checking team lineups before placing bets can save you from wasting money on benched players.
Look beyond reputation and focus on form, matchups, and statistical indicators like expected goals. Bookmakers often set odds based on player popularity rather than actual scoring probability, creating valuable opportunities for informed punters like you.
Don’t forget to compare odds across different bookmakers. Even small percentage differences can significantly impact your returns over time. Whether you prefer single bets or building accumulators with reliable scorers, this market rewards thorough research and patience.
I have put together this guide to help you improve your betting success. Start small, track your results, and refine your approach as you gain experience. Anytime goalscorer betting might seem straightforward, but mastering it requires both knowledge and discipline.
My commitment is to you and ensuring you make more money from your betting. I enjoy talking to my readers, and I am always looking for ways to improve my guides. Fancy a chat about your anytime goalscorer experiences? Why not send me an email?
Take a look at my other football betting guides and I am confident you will improve your betting when you follow my advice. Happy betting!
Anytime Goalscorer FAQs
Q1. What is an anytime goalscorer bet? An anytime goalscorer bet is a wager on a specific player to score a goal at any point during a football match within the regular 90 minutes plus injury time. If the selected player scores, the bet wins, regardless of when the goal is scored or how many other goals are scored in the match.
Q2. How can I improve my chances of winning anytime goalscorer bets? To improve your chances, focus on players with consistent scoring form, prioritise penalty and set-piece takers, analyse team matchups, and use expected goals (xG) data. Always check team lineups before placing bets and compare odds across different bookmakers to find the best value.
Q3. Do goals scored in extra time count for anytime goalscorer bets? No, goals scored in extra time do not count for anytime goalscorer bets. These bets only cover the standard 90 minutes of play plus any added injury time. Additionally, own goals are not counted for this type of bet.
Q4. How does an anytime goalscorer bet differ from a first goalscorer bet? An anytime goalscorer bet wins if the selected player scores at any point during the match, while a first goalscorer bet only wins if the chosen player scores the opening goal of the game. Anytime goalscorer bets generally have lower odds but a higher chance of winning compared to first goalscorer bets.
Q5. Is it better to bet on famous players for anytime goalscorer bets? Not necessarily. It’s more important to bet on players in good form rather than relying solely on a player’s reputation. Always check recent performances, goal-scoring patterns, and current form before placing your bet, as even famous players can go through goal droughts.
