EPL: Defender Anytime Goalscorer Betting Strategy

Five Defenders To Include In Your Goalscoring Bets

While although those who operate at the sharper end of the pitch will garner the most attention, the Premier League is not all about those who play in the attacking third and with goals coming from all departments, it would be unfair to not shine light on those who play further back.

Because even though a defender’s primary role is to stop the ball breaching their own net, they can also be charged with getting forward from time to time and any team that can call on non-attack minded players to score, is one that will earn a decent amount of success across the season.

Success that can come in the form of winning the Premier League itself, earning a place in the Champions League by virtue of a top-four finish or even by simply by avoiding relegation to the EFL Championship.

Which means with plenty of articles being crafted on just who are the deadliest marksmen in the English game today, it is now to time to highlight five defenders that you should consider in your goalscoring bets.

Why Bet On A Defender?

When it comes to an anytime or first goalscorer bet, the logical choice would be to choose someone such as Harry Kane or Mohamed Salah and with these two forwards often among the goals for Tottenham and Liverpool respectively, it is usually a quickfire way to betting probability.

However, a selection of this ilk, is not one that will generate the biggest value in terms of odds and for those who like to be rather bold with their betting choices, backing a defender to find the net is perhaps as bold as they come.

That’s because, those who are less likely to score in the Premier League, will come with far greater odds attached to them and if you can sniff out the right target, then a bundle of riches could soon be making its way to you.

The Famous Five

Trent Alexander-Arnold

One of the more obvious choices when it comes to defender betting selections, is that of Trent Alexander-Arnold and although his favourite position for Liverpool is at right-back, he can be considered a de-facto midfielder.

Such are the England international’s surging runs down the wing, that he often finds himself far more advanced than those who have been selected in midfield by manager Jurgen Klopp and as a consequence he often finds himself in attacking positions.

While not only is he somebody who likes to surge forward, but he is also adept at taking free-kicks and when given the opportunity, he is known to put any opposition Premier League goalkeeper through their paces.

 Harry Maguire

While the first defender on our list is somebody who offers a threat from out wide or by striking a dead ball, our next selection is somebody who knows how to rattle home a set-piece delivery from close range.

The man in question is Harry Maguire and although he would have wowed pundits and punters alike over the course of the summer, as England made it to the final of the UEFA European Championships, it is his goalscoring prowess for Manchester United which should not be forgotten.

The former Leicester City defender can often be found causing mischief for defenders of the opposite team and with a centre-back usually being handed the highest odds in terms of the first goalscorer market, backing Maguire to find the net is something that constitutes great value.

Marcos Alonso

While although the Chelsea left-back is not a guaranteed starter under manager Thomas Tuchel, he does pose a considerable goalscoring threat when on the field and because of this, he is another defender who is worth their weight in goals.

As someone who possesses a magical left foot, the Spaniard is perhaps best known for his free-kick taking abilities and if one is awarded in and around the 18-year box, then a shot on target is something that is likely to follow.

Of course, it is not just striking a dead ball that Alonso is rather adept at and with bursting forward runs also listed as one of his key attributes, he can often be found roaming in the final third of the playing field. Which means the chances of him scoring, is often much higher than other defenders.

Reece James

When it comes to English right-backs, it is fair to say this position is currently well stocked and one of the men who is looking to make that position his own within Gareth Southgate’s national team setup is Reece James.

Operating on the opposite side of the field to Chelsea teammate Marcos Alonso, James is another defender who likes to get forward and with his manager giving him the exact license to do so, he is not one to turn down an attacking opportunity.

To the point where James has already found the scoresheet this season and after laying on a goal for the returning Romelu Lukaku against Arsenal, the former Wigan loanee then doubled Chelsea’s advantage at the Emirates.

Lewis Dunk

Although the lesser known of the five men on our list, that does not make Lewis Dunk any less of a threat in the opposition’s box and just like Harry Maguire above, this Brighton defender loves nothing more than getting his head on the ball at both ends of the pitch.

A point that is backed up by the fact that he scored on five separate occasions last season and although Dunk has yet to slam an effort home this time around, you get the feeling it will only be a matter of time before he is on the scoresheet.

Then again, if it is not to be Dunk, then there is no reason why his Brighton teammate Shane Duffy cannot get in on the action either and although he had a tough time at Celtic last season, the defender has already managed to open his account for the 2021/22 Premier League campaign.