How to Increase Your Chances of Success in the Anytime Goalscorer Market

Source: ESPN FC via Twitter

Players in Form

It almost sounds too obvious but it's amazing how many times you see short prices available on strikers who are going through a barren run. The majority of forwards are confidence players and will score in sequences. Jamie Vardy netted in 11 consecutive matches amid his side's unexpected title-winning run whilst statistics such as "scored in each of his last five games" tend to be a staple of pre-match previews. Strikers who find the net, particularly after a lean spell, are suddenly shooting from anywhere, getting into the right positions and playing without fear. Antoine Griezmann had an inconsistent first half of the season but scored seven goals in just two matches at the end of February 2018 and with Atletico Madrid now 12/1 in the La Liga betting and chasing down Barcelona at the top of the table, his side are hitting form at just the right time and Griezmann, although a short price, is the kind of player who is always popular in the anytime goalscorer market.

Home/Away Bias

Some players find it easier to score in front of their own fans. Others, particularly those plying their trade for struggling teams, tend to fire more frequently on their travels. Robert Lewandowski is a high-profile example of the kind of player who is almost certain to strike at the Allianz Arena and recently broke Jupp Heyncke's record of scoring in 11 consecutive home matches. A player may have netted 16 times during the regular season but if he's only scored three of those on the road, it may be best to keep your powder dry until his side are back on home soil.

Source: Bayern and Germany via Twitter

Don't Discount a Goalscoring Defender

The bookmakers will always position strikers at the top of the market but finding a goalscoring centre-back is one way of guaranteeing greater returns. Some managers take a pragmatic approach to the game often ensuring their side are extremely dangerous from set-piece situations. This should always be factored in. Aden Flint of Bristol City and Gareth McCauley of West Brom are two examples of players who have a knack of causing havoc in the oppositions penalty box. Flint netted 14 times for the Robins during their promotion-winning season of 2014-15 and was commonly priced at around 8/1 to score during the 90 minutes. McCauley scored six times for his club last season but also has nine goals to his name for Northern Ireland.

Finding a goalscorer in-form that has managed to evade the bookmakers is the ideal scenario and can result in huge profits. Forwards are creatures of habit and they are also hugely competitive. If they score once, they are likely to repeat the trick the following week. It is a great way of betting and for those who consider these factors and play accordingly, it can be a market which delivers on a regular basis.