THE Golden Glove betting heat can be a profitable one if you can crack who will reach the final or the semi-finals at the very least.
Formerly the Lev Yashin Award, it's given to the best keeper in the tournament, according to the FIFA Technical Study Group based on their performance throughout the final competition.
Fairly obviously, that will mean the shot-stopper of the country who goes far in the tournament and you only need to look at the past winners for that.
In four of the last six World Cups, the Golden Glove was awarded to the keeper of the winning team – that was Fabien Barthez (1998), Gianluigi Buffon (2006), Iker Casillas (2010) and Manuel Neuer (2014) The exceptions were Oliver Kahn (2002) and Thibaut Courtois in 2018 when Belgium only reached the semi-finals.
So it's no surprise to see the market headed by Brazil's Alisson at 9/2, followed by Courtois at 5/1, Neuer and Spain's Unai Simon at 6/1, Hugo Lloris at 13/2 and Argentina's Emiliano Martínez at 7/1. England's Jordan Pickford is 16/1.
Golden Glove Contenders
Alisson
With Brazil being many people's idea of the eventual winner, it's no surprise at all the Liverpool keeper is also a favourite to win this award. He's obviously well used to the pressure of playing in big games and was part of a Brazil team that only conceded five goals in 17 games in the qualifiers.
Courtois
Surely the last chance for Belgium's much-vaunted so-called Golden Generation to shine. Although the Real Madrid keeper is arguably the best keeper in the world as confirmed by his Champions League Final display, he may be let down by a nation who are notorious bottlers. And no keeper has won the award twice.
Neuer
At 36, this could be a last World Cup for past winner Neuer, who has also had his fair share of injuries. As dependable as ever with Bayern Munich, he will part of a young Germany team going to the finals. As always, much will depend on how they perform and how far they go, but the original sweeper keeper will expect his nation to challenge.
Simon
The Atheltic Bilbao keeper is expected to get the nod to be Spain's No.1 and will be a big part of a country expected to challenge to add to their 2010 triumph. Will get an early indication of how he and his nation will get on when they face Neuer and Germany in the group stages.
Martinez
Argentina are favoured by plenty to win the World Cup this year and the Aston Villa keeper could be a good bet here. A Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina won the Copa America and with this set to be probably his final hurrah at the World Cup, who would bet against him going out with a bang?
BETS:
Martinez is a big price to win this at 7/1 and he's playing in front of a mean defence too. Argentina have a good chance of reaching the semi-finals at least and that would put him firmly in contention.
As an outsider, try Kasper Schmeichel at 33/1. Denmark are tipped as the dark horse here and reached the semi-finals at the Euros. With Schmeichel 36 now, he could gain the sentimental vote as one of football's nice guys, He's worth an each-way punt.
World Cup Golden Glove Betting Tips
Who do you think is this year's World Cup Golden Glove winner? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Freelance Scottish Football journalist for all newspapers. Former Racing Post Scottish Football Correspondent and long-suffering Aberdeen fan.
