Fancy a flutter on this year’s World Cup? Alongside wagering on who will walk away world champions, one of the most popular wagers each year is on the World Cup top scorer betting market. Things are already hotting up here, with plenty of world-class talent giving the bookies a tricky time in predicting the favourite.
Here’s a look at some of our standouts for top World Cup goalscorer.
They’ve all totted up a jawdropping number of goals and points for their league teams this season – but can they convert their league prowess into goals in Rio this year? If you want to have a punt on the outcome, take a look at the Complete Betting website for the latest odds, World Cup news and online betting deals – and good luck!
Cristiano Ronaldo – 14/1
He’s walked away with the Balloon D’or twice, and scored 45 goals this season (so far). While no one’s doubting that fact that Ronaldo is one of the world’s top goal-getters, the bookies aren’t so sure the same can be said for his national team. Portugal are 33/1 outsiders at the minute, so Ronaldo’s Golden Boot odds look a little slim at 14/1 – not so much his goalscoring prowess in question here as his team’s ability to stay in the competition long enough for him to hit the back of the net enough.
Thomas Muller – 25/1
After scoring five goals in South Africa at the last World Cup, German attacker Thomas Muller currently joint holds the Golden Boot. He’s certainly a major goal threat, having managed to bag six goals in his last nine international games. His odds have shortened lately, making him a strong outsider favourite.
Luis Suarez – 18/1
Who would bet against Luis Suarez after the season he’s had for Livepool? Unsurprisingly the Uruguayan is the Premier League’s top Golden Boot contender according to the bookies which is quite some feat considering that Uruguay aren’t among the favourites to win the competition. Suarez is the sort of player who thrives in the limelight and is perfectly capable of making a huge impression even when playing in an unfancied team.
Neymar – 10/1
The Brazilian who’s sure to shine in Rio, he may not bag as many goals as his teammate Messi for Barca but his goal tally for his national team is an impressive one. In his past 46 games for Brazil he’s notched up 27 goals, and his odds have just shortened to put him ahead of Ronaldo in the bookies’ favourites table.
Diego Costa – 25/1
Fellow Brazilian Diego Costa could have been a Golden Boot rival to Neymar, but he’s decided to don a Spanish shirt rather than play for Brazil this year. The striker, who’s made a name for himself with La Liga-toppers Atletico Madrid, has scored 27 goals in his 32 games this season, and could pack them in if he’s given a central striking position by Spain’s manager in Rio.
Lionel Messi – 7/1
Well, no Golden Boot list would be complete without the world’s greatest footballer would it? Far and away the bookies’ favourite, with odds currently sitting at around 7/1, he’s sure to reach the back of the net like no other at this year’s World Cup. But remember, it’s Argentina he’ll be playing for here, not Barca, and last time around he did struggle to pack in the goals for his national team.
However, the bookies still give him the shortest odds, surely down to the fact that Argentina are on the up at the minute. Looking back at Messi’s track record with the new-look Argentina, since 2012 he’s scored 18 goals in 16 games – that’s a record you just can’t argue with, and his odds look seriously appealing as a result.