THE RACE FOR THE GOLDEN BOOT
David Villa is the favourite with every bookmaker to win the Golden Boot and his goalscoring record for Spain is excellent, finding the net 37 times in 57 games. LIONEL MESSI is next best at 10/1 with Paddy Power and if Argentina are to do well he has to have a decent chance of winning the Golden Boot. He’s been top scorer in the Champions League for the last two seasons and if he starts to find his feet in the group stages, the 28/1 with William Hill about Argentina winning the tournament and him topping the charts could be very good value.
England will rely heavily on Wayne Rooney if they are to progress to the semi-finals for the first time since 1990, but they have never been prolific scorers in big tournaments. He will surely be the top scorer for the Three Lions, but I wouldn’t be interested in backing him at 11/1. However, Paddy Power are offering a nice concession in England’s opening group game to refund all bets if Rooney scores at any time.
MIROSLAV KLOSE won the Golden Boot at the last tournament and even though he hasn’t been in form for Bayern Munich, he does step up at international level. He would become the first player to win back-to-back Golden Boots, but I think he is overpriced at 33/1 with William Hill.
POINTERS…
Lionel Messi to win the Golden Boot at 10/1 with Paddy Power
Lionel Messi / Argentina double at 28/1 with William Hill
Miroslav Klose to win the Golden Boot at 33/1 with William Hill e/w