First Team to Score Tips Today: Best Football Predictions

Our first team to score tips focus on which side is most likely to find the net first. The selection can land even if that team does not go on to win, so the key is assessing how each side starts and creates early chances.

Below, explore our latest first-team-to-score predictions, compare the available football odds and read the reasoning behind each selection.

Today’s first team to score predictions

Our first goal predictions cover upcoming fixtures across domestic leagues and cup competitions. Review the selected team, confidence rating and current price before kick-off.

What does the First Team to Score market mean?

A First Team to Score bet predicts which side will score the first goal of the match. It does not require you to predict the final result, the number of goals or which player will score.

For example, if you select the away team to score first, your bet wins if it gets the opening goal, even if the home side later wins the match. Some bookmakers also offer a “No Goal” selection for a 0-0 result; options and settlement rules can vary.

How we generate first team to score tips

Our SmartBet model assesses match data and available odds to identify potential value in the first-goal market. The analysis looks at how teams create and concede chances early in matches, alongside wider factors that may affect the opening stages.

• Early scoring and conceding: How often each team scores or allows the first goal, with attention to recent matches.
• First-half performance: Whether a side starts quickly, creates chances early or tends to grow into the game.
• Attacking and defensive data: Chance quality, shot patterns and how effectively teams limit opponents.
• Home and away trends: How a team’s starts differ depending on where it plays.
• Team news and match context: Player availability, likely line-ups and tactical factors that could shape the opening period.
• Price comparison: Whether the available odds offer value against the model’s estimated probabilities.

These indicators can help assess who might score first, but they cannot guarantee the opening goal. A deflection, penalty or individual error can quickly change a match, so consider the full context rather than relying on one trend.

What to check before using first-goal tips

Separate scoring first from winning

A team can score the opening goal and still lose or draw. If you want to predict the match result as well, compare your view with the Double Chance market or other match-result options.

Look beyond full-time results

A team’s overall record does not always show how it starts matches. Check first-half goals, the timing of goals scored and conceded, and whether the side creates chances early or mainly threatens after the break. Our first-half predictions offer another way to assess the opening period.

Check the market rules

Before betting, check whether “No Goal” is available and how the bookmaker settles an own goal or an abandoned match. Rules can differ between operators, so make sure the market covers the outcome you intend to back.

Using first team to score tips in accumulators

First-team-to-score selections can be included in football accumulators, but they depend on predicting the opening goal correctly. Adding more legs increases the combined odds and the number of ways the bet can lose. Build an acca around selections you can justify at the available prices, and explore our football accumulator tips for ideas across other markets.

Compare other football betting markets

If you have a view on how a match will develop after the opening goal, consider related markets too. Over/Under goals predictions focus on the total score, while corner tips assess attacking pressure and set-piece opportunities. You can browse more selections on our football predictions page.

Compare football betting sites and offers

Bookmakers may offer different prices and market availability for first-team-to-score bets. Compare our best football betting sites, and check the latest betting offers and free bets. Check promotion terms to see whether this market qualifies.

First Team to Score tips FAQs

What are First Team to Score tips?

First Team to Score tips predict which side will score the opening goal of a match. The selection is settled on the first goal, regardless of which team wins or how many goals are scored afterwards. Some bookmakers also offer a “No Goal” option for matches that finish 0-0, so check the market choices before betting.

Does the team that scores first usually win?

Scoring first gives a team an early lead, but it does not guarantee victory. The opponent may equalise or score again, and some teams are more effective when chasing a game. When assessing first-goal predictions, consider both teams’ early scoring patterns and how they respond after going ahead or falling behind.

What happens if a match finishes 0-0?

If a match ends without a goal, settlement depends on the market options offered by the bookmaker. Some First Team to Score markets include “No Goal” as a separate selection, while other rules may treat bets differently. Check the operator’s terms to see whether a team selection loses, is voided or can be settled through a no-goal option.

Do own goals count in First Team to Score bets?

Own-goal settlement can depend on the bookmaker’s rules and how the goal is officially credited. The market generally concerns which team is awarded the first goal, but operators may apply different terms to own goals. Check the specific rules before betting, particularly if an own goal is the first score in the match.

Are first team to score tips suitable for accumulators?

First-team-to-score tips can be included in accumulators, but each selection requires you to identify the side that scores the opening goal. This is different from backing a team to win, since a correct first-goal pick can still lose the match. Consider the added uncertainty and avoid adding legs simply to increase the potential return.