What is Next Goal Scorer? Next Goal Scorer Explained in 2 minutes
Mike Goodpaster Last Verified
08/09/2026
A next goal scorer bet is a wager on which player will score the very next goal in a live soccer match. Unlike pre-match scorer markets, this bet is placed while the game is already in progress and resets every time a new goal goes in. This page walks you through how the market works, a real Premier League example with the math, strategies worth knowing, and the most common beginner mistakes.
What does Next Goal Scorer mean?
When you place a next goal scorer bet, you are picking a specific player to score the next goal in the current match - not just any goal during the game, but literally the one that comes next. The market closes the moment a goal is scored and then reopens with fresh odds for the following goal.
This is a live betting market, meaning it is only available once a match has kicked off. It is closely related to the pre-match "first goal scorer" market but is distinctly different because the odds update in real time based on the game situation, score, and momentum.
Real-life example
Imagine Manchester City are hosting Arsenal in the Premier League. The match is 25 minutes in and scoreless. You open the live betting menu and see Erling Haaland listed at +200 to score the next goal (American odds, meaning a $100 bet returns $200 in profit plus your $100 stake back, so a total payout of $300).
You place a $50 bet on Haaland at +200. In the 31st minute, Haaland heads in a corner and the goal stands. Your bet wins. The sportsbook calculates your payout: $50 stake multiplied by 2.0 in profit, giving you $100 in profit plus your original $50 back - a total return of $150.
If Arsenal had scored the next goal, or if the half ended without a goal and you had not cashed out, your $50 stake would be lost. No refund is given simply because the match remained goalless for a period.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
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- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
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Find out more on bet365's website
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
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- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
Next goal scorer betting strategies & tips
Because the next goal scorer market moves in real time, preparation and timing matter more here than in almost any other soccer market. The tips below are practical and aimed at beginners who want to approach this bet with a clear head rather than a gut feeling.
⏱️ Watch the match before you bet
The single biggest edge in this market comes from watching the game live. You can spot which striker is finding space, which team is winning set pieces, and whether a substitution has shifted the momentum - none of which shows up in the raw odds yet. Most US sportsbooks allow you to follow live stats in-app even if the broadcast is not available to you.
📊 Target the dominant team during spells of pressure
When one team is pinning the other back and creating chances every few minutes, their forwards' next goal scorer odds will still reflect the pre-pressure price. Odds compilers can be slow to shorten prices during sustained attacks, which is when the market can offer genuine value. Acting quickly is key because these windows close fast.
🔍 Focus on set-piece specialists after a foul in a dangerous area
Fouls in shooting range or on the flanks lead to corners and free kicks, and tall centre-backs or target strikers often drift into odds that underestimate their set-piece threat. Check the match stats for corners won before you bet - a team that has already won six corners is more likely to win more. This pattern is repeatable enough to build a watch list of players who overperform on dead balls.
💰 Use free bets to explore the market without full risk
The next goal scorer market can feel fast and unpredictable when you are new to it. Using free bets to place your first few wagers lets you learn how odds shift in real time without risking real money from your own pocket. Once you understand how quickly prices move, you can commit your own stake with more confidence.
🧠 Respect the bookmaker margin on this market
Individual player markets carry a higher bookmaker margin (the cut the sportsbook keeps) than match result bets. Add up all the implied probabilities for every listed player and you will find they exceed 100% - the difference is the house edge. Picking selectively rather than betting every goal means you are not grinding away your bankroll against unfavorable math.
📋 Know the substitution schedule for both teams
A striker who enters as a substitute in the 60th minute with fresh legs against tired defenders represents a different risk-reward calculation than a starter who has already run 60 minutes. Managers in European soccer often follow predictable patterns - knowing a coach tends to bring on a target man late can point you toward value before the substitution happens.
When does the Next Goal Scorer bet win?
Your bet wins if the player you chose scores the very next goal in the match after your wager was accepted. It does not matter whether the goal comes from open play, a penalty, or a free kick - as long as your player is officially credited with the goal, the bet settles in your favour. Own goals are typically excluded from settlement and most sportsbooks will void the bet and return your stake if the next goal is an own goal.
If any other player scores the next goal - whether from your team, the opposition, or a substitute - your bet loses. The market does not consider assists, shots on target, or near-misses. Extra time and stoppage time goals within normal regulation do count, but policies on goals scored during penalty shootouts vary by sportsbook, so it is worth checking the rules before you place your bet.
Mistakes to avoid when betting Next Goal Scorer
This market is fast-moving and unforgiving of impulsive decisions. Beginners who understand these common errors before they happen save themselves a lot of unnecessary losses.
⚠️ Betting purely on the biggest name in the lineup
Star strikers attract attention and short odds, but the market prices them accordingly. Backing a household name at -150 (you risk $150 to win $100) on every goal is a losing strategy over time because even the best forwards only score in a fraction of the windows you bet on. The price needs to reflect actual probability, not reputation.
🚫 Ignoring the current score and game context
A team that is already 3-0 up with 15 minutes left may park the bus and stop pressing forward. Backing their striker as next goal scorer in that situation ignores the tactical reality. Always factor in the score, the minute of the game, and whether each team has a reason to attack.
💸 Chasing losses by increasing your stake after each missed bet
If you backed three players in a row who did not score next, the temptation is to bet bigger on the fourth pick to recover the losses. This is called chasing, and it is one of the fastest ways to empty a bankroll. Each goal window is an independent event - a losing streak gives you no information about what comes next.
🎲 Not checking the cash-out option when your player is one-on-one with the goalkeeper
Some sportsbooks offer a cash out feature on live markets, which lets you take a guaranteed return before the goal is scored or missed. If your selected player is clean through on goal and the cash-out value has spiked, taking the offer can lock in profit rather than leaving everything to chance.
📉 Overlapping too many next goal scorer bets simultaneously
Placing bets on three or four different players for the same goal might seem like hedging, but unless you have covered the market efficiently it usually guarantees a net loss. The math only works in very specific combinations. For most beginners, one clear selection per goal window is a more disciplined approach.
Is Next Goal Scorer betting available at top US sportsbooks?
This market is available at most major US sportsbooks that carry live soccer, though the selection of players listed and the speed of market updates varies between operators. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, and Fanatics all typically offer next goal scorer as part of their live soccer menus for high-profile matches like the Premier League, Champions League, and MLS.
Coverage tends to be deepest on the biggest European leagues and international tournaments. For lower-division or regional soccer, the market may be absent or limited to fewer players. It is worth checking which operators in your state offer the widest range of live soccer markets before you decide where to open an account.
Is Next Goal Scorer available for live betting?
Yes - next goal scorer is exclusively a live betting market. It does not exist as a pre-match option because it refers specifically to the goal that comes next in an ongoing game. The odds update constantly based on possession, shots, player positions, and how recently the last goal was scored. This is also the case with the anytime correct score, so if you like this style of live betting, here's the breakdown: anytime correct score explained.
Using live streaming through your sportsbook, where available, gives you the clearest picture of what is actually happening on the pitch. Bettors who rely solely on delayed TV broadcasts or text commentary are often working from information that is 30 to 60 seconds behind the current odds - a significant disadvantage in a market that moves this quickly.
Next Goal Scorer pros and cons
Every bet market has trade-offs, and next goal scorer is no exception. The excitement of a real-time decision is balanced against a higher bookmaker edge and the random nature of when and how goals happen in soccer.
- Refreshes after every goal - multiple chances per match
- Real-time odds can offer value during fast spells of play
- Own goals typically voided and stake returned
- Works well alongside live streaming for informed betting
- Higher bookmaker margin than standard match markets
- Market moves very fast - easy to make impulsive decisions
- Player credit can be disputed on deflected or shared goals
Related terms and similar bets
Understanding where next goal scorer fits among similar markets helps you choose the right bet for your situation. The terms below are the ones you are most likely to encounter alongside this market in any sportsbook's soccer betting menu.
🎯 First Goal Scorer
The first goal scorer market is the pre-match equivalent of next goal scorer - you pick who opens the scoring before a ball has been kicked. Because it is placed before kick-off, the odds reflect starting lineups, team form, and historical data rather than live momentum. Learn more about the first goal scorer bet.
🏆 Last Goal Scorer
Instead of predicting the next goal, you are betting on the player who scores the final goal of the match. This is typically a pre-match market settled at full time, and it carries its own strategic considerations because a team's late substitutes or defensive players occasionally grab the decisive late goal. Read more about the last goal scorer bet.
🔄 Anytime Goalscorer
The anytime goalscorer market simply asks you to pick a player who scores at least once during the match - it does not matter whether that goal is first, last, or anywhere in between. This is a more forgiving market for backing a striker who might need until the second half to find the net. Explore how the anytime goalscorer bet works.
💡 Winning Goalscorer
The winning goalscorer market combines goal scoring with match outcome - you are backing a player to score the goal that ultimately proves to be the match-winner. It is a trickier market to settle because the winning goal can only be determined at full time, not the moment it goes in. Find out more about the winning goalscorer bet and how it differs.
📚 Hat-Trick
A hat-trick bet is a wager on a specific player scoring three goals in a single match. Odds are typically long because hat-tricks are rare, but they can be an interesting speculative play alongside a next goal scorer bet when a striker is already on two goals and pressing for a third. See how the hat-trick bet is structured and what it pays.
Final thoughts
Next goal scorer is one of the most dynamic live betting markets in soccer - it resets with every goal, keeps you engaged throughout the match, and rewards bettors who watch the game carefully rather than betting blind. Comparing how quickly different sportsbooks update their odds and which soccer betting sites cover the widest range of players is a sensible first step before you commit your stake.
Like any bet where the bookmaker builds in a margin, this market will not pay you fairly in the long run if you bet randomly. Choose your spots, stick to a stake you are comfortable losing, and treat each goal window as its own decision rather than part of a running chase.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
+9
- 20+ sports available for wagering
- Pre-match and in-play betting
- Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds
Bet $10 Get $365 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose
Find out more on bet365's website
- Over 20 sports
- Extensive betting markets
- Live betting feature
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days
+7
- Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
- Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
- Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds
FAQs
Common questions from beginners about Next Goal Scorer.
What happens to my next goal scorer bet if the match ends without another goal?
If no further goal is scored after your bet is placed, your stake is lost. The market requires a goal to settle - a draw or a game that stays at the same score for the remainder of regulation time means your selection cannot win. Always factor in the possibility that no more goals may come, especially late in a close game.
Does a penalty count for next goal scorer?
Yes, penalties count as goals for next goal scorer purposes and are credited to the player who takes the spot kick. If your selected player wins and converts a penalty, the bet settles in your favour just as if the goal had come from open play. The method of scoring does not affect the outcome.
What happens if there is an own goal?
Most sportsbooks treat own goals as null events for next goal scorer markets. If the next goal that goes in is credited as an own goal, the majority of operators will void your bet and return your original stake. You should check the specific rules of the sportsbook you are using before placing the bet, as settlement policies can differ slightly between operators.
