FIFA World Cup 2022 is just days away and we are here with some football betting tips. One of the most popular outright bets for the World Cup is who will win the Golden Boot. Therefore, we have created a shortlist of the most prolific strikers who have the best chance to win the award. We took all group-stage matches and possible matchups in the knockout stages into consideration. So, let us get right to it!
What is the Golden Boot?
Instituted in the 1982 World Cup and originally called the golden shoe, the golden boot is essentially an award awarded to the tournament’s top goalscorer. The winners are almost always strikers, with lucrative contracts awaiting them after their wins. Harry Kane won the award in the 2018 edition after scoring a total of 6 goals. Gary Lineker did the same in 1986. Usually, teams with easy group stage matches, have more chances for goals in each match. Therefore, strikers from these countries have a good chance at being the top goal scorers. However, if they don’t progress far enough in the tournament maybe their tallies from the group stages are not enough.
So, who will win it this time around?
World Cup 2022: Top Golden Boot Candidates
Karim Benzema (France)
France is probably the most talented team in the tournament besides Brazil. Benzema is a classic No.9 who will be spearheading the attack, just as he’s been doing successfully at Real Madrid for the last few years. He netted 44 goals last season and has scored 6 already this year in 12 games. However, injuries have plagued him this season and he’s yet to perform well on the international stage. While Mbappe will also be around him, Benzema will surely get his share of goals.
Recommendation: If he’s on form then he should be in a top-3 striker for the tournament. Yet Mbappe will probably score more for France.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo hoped his second stint at Manchester United would be more memorable than the first, but things worked out differently. He’s on his way out of the club for sure, but he’s still captaining the Portuguese side and we are sure he hasn’t forgotten to score goals. Expect CR7 to take all team penalties and free kicks. He’s a frontrunner for sure. Can he use the international spotlight to prove to everyone that he still has what it takes to back up his words.
Recommendation: If Portugal can go far, then Cristiano should for sure will be part of the reason with goals scored.
Kylian Mbappe (France)
Mbappe is the undisputed leader of PSG. Even Lionel Messi has to take a bow when the French star wants to do things his way. The same can’t be said for the French national team, where Mbappe will have to be more team-oriented. We expect him to score more than 6 goals, especially if this team goes past the quarter-final stage. He’ll be taking many free kicks as well. With Nkuku now out injured, the burden of goal scoring will fall on Benzema and Mbappe.
Recommendation: Mbappe can score at will, effortlessly. Bet accordingly.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Lionel Messi will be wearing the Argentinian kit for the last time in World Cups and his teammates will do everything to help him capture the only title that has eluded him so far. He’ll be taking all set pieces, which should already bring him to the 5-goal mark. But the quality simply isn’t there and we’ll be very surprised if Argentina makes it to the final four. There simply won’t be enough games.
Recommendation: A Messi hat trick can propel him to the top of the list.
Harry Kane (England)
12 goals in 15 games. That’s Harry Kane’s output in the English Premier League (EPL) so far this season. The Tottenham striker, who is also the 2018 World Cup golden boot winner, is expected to hit the ground running in Qatar. Assuming England will make it past the quarterfinals, there’s no reason to believe that Kane won’t duplicate his output from the last time.
Recommendation: We believe that Kane will score at least 5 goals in Qatar.
Neymar (Brazil)
Raphinha. Jesus. Antony. Brazil will be showcasing one of the most potent midfielders in this world cup. Neymar, the pragmatic PSG star, is expected to spearhead the attack. While he’s not really a natural striker, it’s hard to argue with his knack for scoring goals from impossible positions. We also expect him to take all penalties and free kicks, which makes him a formidable contender.
Recommendation: Assuming he’s fully locked in, Neymar’s a strong candidate.
Memphis Depay (Holland)
The truth must be said. Memphis Depay is an impressive forward, but this Dutch team can no longer boast elite talent. That being said, we expect Memphis to come out and impress in Qatar. Group games against Qatar, Senegal, and Ecuador look like potential cakewalks and high-scoring affairs. These 3 games alone should give Memphis a great chance to pile up the goals.
Recommendation: Looking for adventure? Go with Memphis.
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