One of the most keenly anticipated side bets for the Premier League season is who will finish top goalscorer and take home the prized Golden Boot. For the last two seasons, the honour has gone to Tottenham’s Harry Kane. The English talisman is again one of the hot favourites to make it three years in a row.
Now, is the best time to have a closer look at this market. The transfer window is finally firmly closed. With a few games played it is easier to reasonably evaluate how well new strikers are settling into their clubs.
Last year, Harry Kane netted 29 times in the Premier League just managing to see off Romelu Lukaku who then played for Everton. After his £75 million move to Manchester United, the Belgian has four goals and is currently favourite to be top goalscorer. If you were to bet now at redbet, Lukaku is priced 3.50 just ahead of Harry Kane at 4.20. Take your pick if you’re up for it!
Big clubs dominate the top goalscorer betting
Finding outside bets in this market is tricky as the top clubs tend to dominate. Simply, big clubs create more chances for their frontmen to latch onto than the others.
Defending Champions, Chelsea have found in Alvaro Morata a clinical finisher and a player eager to cement his reputation ahead of next years World Cup. The Spaniard found it difficult to start games at star-studded Real Madrid but has adapted quickly to the Premier League. So far, he has scored three times already, all coming from headers. This prowess in front of goal has led to his odds being slashed from 12.00 to 9.00.
Arsenal will be hoping new frontman Alexandre Lacazette (12.00) goes on to form a great partnership with want-away star Alexis Sanchez (34.00). The reason Sanchez is so highly-priced is that the Chilean may get his wish to move in January. If he doesn’t move, the next big question is whether he will recapture last season’s appetite whilst playing for the Gunners - Sanchez scored 24 league goals last season.
Manchester City will again be relying on Argentine striker Sergio Aguero (8.50) to find the back of the net. The canny striker also has Gabriel Jesus (7.50) to help out up front - The Brazilian has scored three this season. Both are hoping to get on the end of many of Kevin de Bruyne’s tantalising pinpoint cross.
Many at Liverpool believe that Sadio Mane (20.00) is the man to fill the void left when Luiz Sanchez moved to Barcelona. Mane is definitely a real talent but will miss the next three games through suspension. Mane’s rash challenge on goalkeeper Ederson (Man City) resulted in a straight red for the striker from Senegal.
Brazilian, Roberto Firmino (26.00) is the next best priced Reds player. However, manager Jurgen Klopp sees him more as a creator and crafty instigator of counter-attacks, vital to his high tempo style of play.
Outside chances for the Golden Boot
For top goalscorer bets, it is best to avoid players who are injury prone or strikers whose temperament may lead to them getting sent off regularly. Strikers in teams that struggle to create enough chances and consistently score are difficult to back as well.
However, clinical strikers will always score their fair share are also worth a mention. Come rain or shine, Jamie Vardy (Leicester) priced at 31.00 will keep on scoring regularly for Leicester this season. Wayne Rooney (41.00) hopes to find his goalscoring groove at boyhood club, Everton.
Javier Hernandez (41.00) is a natural goal poacher who will look to get on the end of Andy Carroll's (101.00) knock downs. If Andy Carroll stays fit for the majority of the season, these two may form quite the lethal partnership for West Ham.
New Crystal Palace manager, Roy Hodgson needs to get Christian Benteke (51.00) firing again to start an immediate revival at the club. Josh King (81.00) and Jermaine Defoe (67.00) are key to getting Bournemouth going this season.
No matter who wins the Golden Boot, it is safe to say the Premier League will provide plenty of goals this season. Most of the strikers mentioned will “fill their boots” with goals but only one will walk away with the Golden Boot!