A DEADLY striker can often make a difference in World Cup games so all eyes will be on the hitmen duelling for the Golden Boot at Qatar 2022.
The leading scorer often ends up getting his hands on the World Cup as well, with Ronaldo, Paolo Rossi and Gerd Muller scooping both prizes in 2002, 1982 and 1974.
But it’s sometimes a dark horse who emerges from nowhere to land the Golden Boot, like Colombia’s James Rodriguez in 2014 and Russian striker Oleg Salenko in 1994.
That makes it a fascinating top goalscorer betting market for punters so here’s a rundown on some of those in the frame to finish top gun in Qatar.
Harry Kane
The England captain landed the Golden Boot at the last World Cup and Highbet rate him at 71/10 to repeat the feat. A hat-trick against Panama in the group stage got Kane off to a flier in Russia and with the Three Lions up against Wales, Iran and the USA in Qatar, he stands a chance of filling his boots early on again.
Neymar
Brazil’s superstar has suffered plenty of World Cup heartache but this could be the year he makes a massive impact at the finals. The PSG star has been flying for club and country this season, netting 19 times in 23 appearances, and will be a man on a mission. He’s 63/5 with Highbet for top scorer which looks overpriced.
Messi
All eyes will be on the world’s greatest player this summer as he tries to get his hands on the biggest prize in football. He’s the fulcrum of an Argentina side who have gone 35 games unbeaten and looks more relaxed after ending his wait for international silverware at the last Copa America.
At 35, this will probably be Messi’s last World Cup and he’s as big as 14/1 with 888Sport to walk off with the Golden Ball.
Mbappe
Russia 2018 was a breakthrough campaign for the French wonderkid as he netted four times on their surge to World Cup glory. Four years on, he’s even more devastating with the PSG forward scoring 19 goals from 21 appearances this term. Highbet prices him at 42/5 to bag the Golden Boot.
Benzema
Karim Benzema won the Balon d’Or not so long ago and continues to deliver for La Liga giants Real Madrid. Like a number of other players, at thirty-four years old, this is likely to be the last time Benzema has the opportunity to do it on the big stage in international football, so he will undoubtedly want to leave his mark by winning the Golden Boot.
Long-odds Punts
Luis Suarez rolled back the years in qualifying with eight goals for Uruguay and heads to Qatar on a high after helping boyhood club Nacional win the title. The former Barcelona and Liverpool star is a whopping 139/1 at SBK for the Golden Boot.
Spain could go deep in the tournament and most of their players are at long odds as they don’t have a deadly centre forward. Winger Ferran Torres scored four in qualifying and is available at 74/1 with SBK.
Serbia have a prolific strike force in the shape of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic. With doubts over Mitrovic’s fitness, Juventus star Vlahovic might be a better long-odds punt for top scorer at 100/1 with Betway.
World Cup Golden Boot Betting Tips
Who do you think is this year's World Cup Golden Boot winner? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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