Anytime goalscorer is the more forgiving version of goalscorer markets: you back a player to score at any point during the match, not specifically as the first scorer. This one difference reduces the odds compared to first goalscorer, but it increases the probability of winning — a player who scores the second, third or fourth goal of the game still counts as a winner for your bet.
Anytime scorer vs first goalscorer: the key difference
First goalscorer requires your selected player to score the very first goal of the match. Anytime scorer requires only that they score at some point in the 90 minutes. As a result, odds for the same player are typically 30–50% shorter on the anytime scorer market. A striker available at 7.0 for first scorer might be priced at 3.5–4.5 for anytime scorer. The tradeoff is straightforward: longer odds for first scorer, easier target for anytime scorer.
Odds and typical markets
For a leading Premier League striker in a home fixture against mid-table opposition, anytime scorer odds of 1.8–2.5 are common. High-scoring or penalty-taking forwards may be available at 1.5 or below in strong home fixtures. The implied probability at 2.0 is 50%, meaning the market suggests the striker scores in roughly half of matches — a reasonable estimate for prolific forwards in favourable fixtures. For less prolific players or those in difficult fixtures, odds of 4.0–8.0 are typical.
Non-starter rules for anytime scorer
As with first goalscorer, the non-starter rule is critical. Most bookmakers in Ireland will void an anytime scorer bet and return the stake if the selected player does not start the match. Some bookmakers will also void if the player fails to take any part at all. If a player comes on as a 90th-minute substitute and the match has ended, they technically played but their chance of scoring was near zero. Always check the specific bookmaker’s rules for how late substitutes are treated.
Building an anytime scorer accumulator
Anytime scorer accumulators are popular precisely because the odds, while shorter than first scorer, are still long enough to generate substantial multi-fold returns. Five anytime scorers at 2.5 each produce an accumulator price of around 97.0. The variance is high, but the market’s higher base probability relative to first scorer makes it slightly more tractable. Focus on starting forwards, penalty takers, and set-piece specialists who are likely to stay on the pitch for 90 minutes. 18+ — Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anytime scorer wins if your player scores at any point in 90 minutes. First goalscorer only wins if they score the very first goal of the match. Anytime scorer odds are shorter, but the bet is easier to win.
An anytime scorer bet wins once regardless of how many goals the player scores. If your selected player scores a hat-trick, your anytime scorer bet wins, but only once — it does not multiply.
Rules vary by bookmaker. Many Irish bookmakers void the bet if the player does not start. Some allow the bet to stand if the player takes any part in the match, including as a substitute. Check the specific terms at your bookmaker before placing.
Yes. Many bookmakers offer combined markets such as Player to Score Anytime & BTTS Yes, or Player to Score & Team to Win. These combination markets often offer better odds than the individual components separately.
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