Domestic football returns this weekend after the first international break of the season and over the next four weeks, cup and European competitions will enter the fray as the 2024/25 season begins to take shape.
The first goalscorer predictions market is one of real interest this weekend across Europe's best leagues as several players are preparing to take on teams that they have quite the history against. Check out our insights and predictions below.
First goalscorer predictions this weekend
Romelu Lukaku to score first for Napoli vs Cagliari (4/1)
Romelu Lukaku has developed a reputation throughout his career for being a flat-track bully. In essence, this means that he is very good at dominating weaker opponents and Cagliari are a side that he has enjoyed great success against in the past.
The Belgian has scored five goals against Cagliari in his last six appearances against them and he got off the mark for Napoli on his debut last time out, so there shouldn't be any rustiness to get over. He should get his first start for the club this weekend and he will be delighted about who the opponents are.
Hot tip: Romelu Lukau to score 2+ goals – It wouldn't be unusual for Lukaku to score twice this weekend. He scored a brace against Cagliari for Roma last season and will be keen to show his new fans what he still has in his locker.
Mo Salah to score first for Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest (100/30)
Mo Salah has started the new Premier League season looking as sharp as he ever has done. The Egyptian may well be embarking on his final season for Liverpool and he has started it like a man who wants to make it a memorable one, scoring three goals and providing three assists in the opening three matches.
Salah has form when it comes to scoring against Nottingham Forest, netting twice in his three previous appearances against them.
Hot tip: Liverpool to win to nil – An early Salah strike usually settles the nerves at Anfield and it could lead them to their fourth win to nil in four matches. They are yet to concede a goal in the Premier League this season and kept a clean sheet against Forest in both matches against them last season.
Bukayo Saka to score first for Arsenal vs Tottenham (11/2)
Bukayo Saka used to be criticised for his lack of goals against Tottenham but he well and truly silenced those critics last season when he scored in both North London Derbies. The England winger has become a bigger goal threat in each season since his debut and has one goal and three assists so far this campaign.
Hot tip: Bukayo Saka to score a penalty – Don't be surprised if Saka's goal on Sunday comes from the penalty spot. There has been a penalty awarded in four of the last five matches between Arsenal and Tottenham.
Robert Andrich to score first for Bayer Leverkusen vs Hoffenheim (18/1)
Robert Andrich is far from Bayer Leverkusen's most likely goalscorer but it is difficult to ignore his record against Hoffenheim. Andrich has only scored six league goals across the last two seasons but his two of those have come against Saturday's opponents.
What's more, the German midfielder has scored Leverkusen's first goal in two of their last three matches against Hoffenheim so this is a fixture that has been good to him in recent times.
Hot tip: Over 3.5 goals – Given this is Bayer Leverkusen, it is highly unlikely that Andrich will be the only goalscorer on Saturday. Ten goals have been scored in their first two league matches this season and they only know how to play one way.
Robert Lewandowski to score first for Barcelona vs Girona (4/1)
Robert Lewandowski is usually a good option when it comes to first goalscorer predictions but he is a particularly compelling option this weekend. The big Pole scored in both matches against Girona last season and has scored four goals in four league appearances so far this season.
Hot tip: Over 3.5 goals – Although Girona's squad looks very different from the one that finished inside La Liga's top four last season, they are still a free-spirited team that look to attack at every opportunity. Both matches last season between these two teams produced six goals so it's fair to expect another classic this weekend.
Best first goalscorer acca price
- Romelu Lukaku to score first for Napoli vs Cagliari
- Mo Salah to score first for Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest
- Bukayo Saka to score first for Arsenal vs Tottenham
- Robert Andrich to score first for Bayer Leverkusen vs Hoffenheim
- Robert Lewandowski to score first for Barcelona vs Girona
- 13,378/1 – £10 returns £133,790 including stake.
Andy is tipster who has been calling Golf tournaments for several years across many different platforms. He has covered all tournaments from the Asian Tour to the Masters.
