2014 World Cup Betting – Five Key Contenders For The Golden Boot

World Cup Golden Boot Betting

One of the most popular World Cup betting mediums is invariably the top goalscorer market, and the challenge of predicting the winner of the Golden Boot in Brazil this year is likely to once again tempt punters in their droves.

In total 145 goals were scored in the 64 matches at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa – an average of over 2.2 per game – and it was Germany’s Thomas Müller who was awarded the Golden Boot. He was one of four players that netted five times in South Africa, but secured the prize by virtue of a higher number of assists than those that matched his goal tally.

It was another German, Miroslav Klose, that emerged as the leading scorer in the 2006 World Cup. However, while Joachim Löw’s side are generally third favourites behind Brazil and Argentina in the tournament outright betting – and likely to be the nation that will be the subject of plenty of World Cup tips – no German player figures prominently in bookies lists for the Golden Boot this time.

TV Bet takes a look at five of the key contenders for the top goalscorer accolade in Brazil…

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

The 26-year-old’s goal-scoring record for Barcelona is nothing short of phenomenal. In fact, he became the joint third-highest scorer in La Liga history earlier this month when netting a brace against Rayo Vallecano, which took his tally in the Spanish top-flight to 228 goals. The four-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored a highly respectable 13 times in 50 appearances for Argentina, but he has something to prove in Brazil this year, having failed to make an impact in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he failed to score a single goal in five matches.

Lionel Messi World Cup odds (top goalscorer market): 8/1 – Bet365

Neymar (Brazil)

The host nation are clear 3/1 favourites to win the World Cup for the sixth time this summer, and there is no doubt that Neymar is the star of the Seleção show. The 22-year-old has readily dispelled any conjecture that he would be in Lionel Messi’s shadow during his first season at Barcelona, having already weighed in with seven goals and eight assists in 17 La Liga appearances for the Catalan giants. Since making his debut for the national side in August 2010, Neymar has netted 24 times in 39 matches and there’s no doubt that there is plenty more to come.

Neymar World Cup 2014 betting (top goalscorer market): 14/1 – Sky Bet

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

CR7 reached a truly incredible landmark of 400 goals for club and country last month when netting twice during Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory against Celta Vigo. This season alone Ronaldo has already scored 34 times and provided nine assists in all competitions and, as the winner of the 2013 Ballon d’Or, he’s officially the best player on the planet right now. At the age of 29 this could be his last chance to compete in this tournament at his peak, but Portugal have been drawn in a tough-looking group and Ronaldo struggled to stamp his authority in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup odds (top goalscorer market): 14/1 – Betfred

Sergio Aguero (Argentina)

‘El Kun’ has made waves since joining Manchester City from Atletico Madrid for £38m in July 2011. Despite some niggling injury problems this season, he has netted 26 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions and is currently the third top scorer in the Premier League. The 25-year-old was part of the Argentina sides that prevailed in the 2005 and 2007 Under-20 World Cups, and was winner of both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards in the latter renewal of that tournament. Playing alongside Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, he will not be short of ammunition in Brazil.

Sergio Aguero World Cup 2014 betting (top goalscorer market): 16/1 – Bet Victor

Luis Suarez (Uruguay)

Since joining Liverpool in 2011, Luis Suarez has firmly established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in the game. He missed the start of the current Premier League season due to suspension, but has looked better than ever since returning to action, scoring 23 times and chipping in with eight assists in 21 matches in the English top-flight. The 27-year-old has netted 13 goals in 36 appearances for Uruguay, including three goals in six matches in the 2010 World Cup, in which Los Charrúas were semi-finalists. Suarez is expected to make a big impact in Brazil this summer.

Luis Suarez World Cup odds betting (top goalscorer market): 18/1 – Paddy Power