Team to Score First Betting Market Explained
Monagas SC
Carabobo FC
Atlético Paso
Eldense
Tottenham
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Rijnsburgse Boys
Roda
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MVV
Den Bosch
Eemdijk
OJC RosmalenFirst Team to Score Meaning
The Team to Score First betting market, or “First Team to Score,” is arguably among the most popular options for soccer bettors — with this, you’re betting on which team will net the first goal in a game/match!
Strictly speaking, you only have to pick between one of two competing teams, and if your chosen team scores first in the game, the bet is a winner.
But what happens if a match bores a draw (ends 0-0)? Well, a goalless draw is considered a losing bet; simply put, no one scored, so no one wins.
What’s more, your bet would lose if the other team scores first. So, what are the must-knows when considering this market and what soccer tips could you use to edge this to your favour? I answer this and more below!
Best Bookmakers for the 1st Team to Score Market
Now that you’re all caught up on first team to score meaning, we’ve some good news for South African (Mzansi) bettors — we’ve run the numbers and these three bookmakers, by and large, offer the best odds for the market:
- Experienced bookmaker
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- Legit SA bookie
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- Excellent variety of gaming sections
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How is the First Team to Score Used in Sports Betting?
As I have shown, the “First Team to Score” market is a popular option for many sports bettors, especially in soccer, and perhaps its simple concept is part of the reason. After all, you only have to bet on the team you believe will score the first goal in a match.
Be that as it may, I have drawn up a few scenarios of how the market would fit your everyday bet types. Let’s have a look:
As a Single Bet
Let’s have at it: I’d say this is the simplest/most straightforward bet type to utilise the team to score first market.
Simply put, the standalone bet will see you either back Team A or Team B to score first. If the team you’ve selected nets the first goal, you win the bet. However, should the opposition score first, your bet loses.
I must also point out that own goals don’t count towards the first team to score market. In such a scenario, the next goal scored by either team would be the decider, the one that ultimately settles the bet.
As a Part of a Built Bet
Commonly referred to as a “bet builder” or “same-game multi/parlay,” this bet type allows you to combine multiple selections from the same into a single bet — and yes, first team to score can be one of those selections.
For example, we could build a bet with the following entries:
- Team A to score first
- Over 2.5 total goal to be netted in the match
- Both teams to score (BTTS)
As illustrated the team to score first market can be perfectly integrated into your bet builder, especially if you’re after (potentially) higher odds. That said, all selections must be correct for your bet to win.
As a Market in an ACCA Bet
Another likely implementation would be as part of an ACCA (Accumulator) bet! As you’d have it, an accumulator bet allows you to combine multiple selections from different games into one bet — as opposed to the bet builder which focuses on a single game/match.
Ideally, we could include first team to score in an ACCA alongside other markets, as you can see below:
- Team B to score first
- Match result (1×2)
- Total goals, e.g., over 3.5
In like fashion, every selection in your ACCA must win for the entire bet to pay off; yes the risk increases marginally, but it also significantly boosts your potential winnings.
As a Profit Boost for Further Bets in the Same Match
Lastly, we can use the team to score first market/bet as a gateway to unlock more benefits.
Here’s how — while it’s not so common, some bookmakers offer bonuses where if you correctly predict the first team to score, you’d receive, say, a profit boost (or bonus/enhanced odds) on subsequent bets placed on the same match.
By and large, I reckon this is a valuable way to maximise your winnings, and I highly advise taking advantage of such offers when available.
First Team to Score Betting Tips
Betting on the team to score first can be an exciting and potentially profitable market. However, you’d need an effective strategy to approach this right. Here are some tested/verified tips worth keeping in mind:
Tip 1: Analyse the teams’ recent performance
Among the key considerations, I’d say look into the teams’ recent performance/form, as this will inform how they’re likely to perform.
For example, the goals each team has netted in their recent matches, notwithstanding their capabilities in creating goal-scoring chances. After all, if they have solid offensive power, including a strong forward line (and a star striker) they’re likely to dominate the match and be the team to score first.
Head-to-head records will also prove vital as this is where to get info on how they performed against each other historically, including the teams’ scoring tendencies.
Tip 2: Consider their defensive play (strengths/weaknesses)
Secondly, I’d wager that a team’s defensive capabilities are just as vital as their offensive ones, so here we’re looking for patterns. For example, how many goals does each team concede and are they vulnerable early in matches?
Or how does their play change as the game progresses — do they tighten up at the back? Questions such as these can help gauge potential strengths/weaknesses in a team’s playing style.
For instance, a team employing a high defensive line might be susceptible to quick counter-attacks. We could also extend our research to injuries/suspensions, such as whether key defenders are missing on either team, as this could influence their ability to keep a clean sheet early on.
Tip 3: Factor in match context (e.g., home advantage) and external factors
Lastly, it’s worth keeping the bigger picture in mind, i.e., the context of the match itself. After all, there are some undeniable truths, such as teams playing at home often start stronger.
This is true for many reasons. For example, they can be fueled by the crowd (their supporters) to perform, which can materialise in early goals, especially if the opposing team struggles with away matches.
In tandem, pay close attention to even other external factors, such as the weather conditions, as heavy rains or strong winds can influence the flow or direction of the match making it harder for teams to score.
FAQ
What is the first team to score bet?
It’s a bet type where you predict which team will net the first goal in a match/game. For example, in soccer, you’d choose between Team A or Team B, and if the selection you’re backing scores first, you win the bet.
Does the team that scores first usually win?
Admittedly, scoring first gives a team an advantage, but it doesn’t guarantee a win. After all, comebacks are always possible, and the remaining time in the match can play a part in the final outcome.
What is first team in football?
This is the main squad a club/team fields in its competitions. Ideally, it’s composed of the best players. Besides the first team, there are also the reserve, youth, academy teams, etc., depending on a club’s structure.
How to play away team to score?
Here, you’d bet on the away team to score (at any point of the match), regardless of whether they’re the first to score or win. Typically, you get this in a “yes/no” format and if the team scores at least one goal, your bet wins.
