Robin Van Persie 7-1
Van Persie was in stunning form last season helping Arsenal claim 3rd place and guarantee Champions league football at the Emirates. His incredible 37 goals along with 17 assists means that Van Persie contributed to 54 goals in 48 appearances last season. The Dutch front man is set to lead the line for Holland this summer and is a strong contender for the golden boot.
Karim Benzema 8-1
Benzema had his most successful campaign in his whole career last season helping Real Madrid clinch their first title in four years. Benzema netted 32 goals in 52 appearances along with 15 assists. As a lot of the favourites are playing in group b, Benzema has a real chance to take the golden boot this year and with France on a 21 game unbeaten streak he would be my top pick for the competition.
Mario Gomez 10-1
Gomez was in lethal goal scoring form last season netting 41 times in 52 appearances. Only Lionel Messi scored more than him in the Champions last season as Mario scored 13 times in 14 games. Germany sit as second favourites for the competition and they will be relying heavily on Mario to provide the goal threat.
Fernando Torres 12-1
Torres has been uninspiring since his mega money move from Liverpool during last year’s January transfer window. In recent weeks his performances have picked up and we are starting to see the Torres that struck fear into defenders across Europe. Spain are favourites for the tournament and to qualify easily from their group so I’d expect Torres to play a big part in their success this summer. At 12-1, Torres would be my second choice for top scorer this summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo 15-1
Ronaldo has enjoyed his best campaign last season scoring 60 goals in 55 games helping Real Madrid lift the title. Ronaldo has scored over 100 goals in just three seasons at Madrid and is the only La Liga player in history to score 40 league goals in two seasons. Portugal sit in the ‘group of death’ and many expect Germany and Holland to qualify. Ronaldo will need to be on top of his game if Portugal are to make it through the toughest group of the competition.
Robert Lewandowski 15-1
Lewandowski has also enjoyed his most successful season notching 30 goals in 46 appearances. Robert was pivotal in Dortmund’s season as they retained the Bundesliga title. Playing for the host nation and being drawn in the easiest group gives Lewandowski a real chance to get ahead of the more ‘well known’ players for the golden boot this summer. Even if Poland progress though, he may still only play three games so at the same price as Ronaldo I’d steer well clear.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar 17-1
Huntelaar was in unbelievable form last season scoring 48 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions. Having netted 12 times in qualifying, Huntelaar has a right to be disappointed as Van Persie only managed six goals. Due to Holland’s midfield options chances to start may be limited for Huntelaar or else you’d expect much shorter odds for the Dutchman. Although he has proven he can score at all levels, I’d stick to Van Persie as Bert van Marwijk has stated that Huntelaar will be starting on the bench against Denmark.
Fernando Llorente 17-1
Llorente has been a key member of Athletic Bilbao for many years now and last season the striker managed 29 goals in 53 appearances. Due to the strength of Spain’s squad Llorente has only made 20 appearances but has scored 7 goals for his country. Similar to Huntelaar, I’d expect to see Torres as the lone striker for Spain as the two teams play in a similar way which would Llorente limited to appearances off the bench. Here is another player I’d steer well clear of.
Miroslav Klose 18-1
Klose scored 13 league goals in 25 appearances for Lazio this season. He started the season in blistering form but an injury in December ruled him out for seven weeks and stuttered his success. Klose loves tournaments and is the only player to have scored five or more goals in consecutive World cups. Along with this he remains the only player to have scored at least four in three different tournaments. Reports are suggesting that Klose may well start on Saturday over Gomez so he may well be a good bet. He thrives on tournaments and I’d be tempted with a bet on Klose as an outsider for the golden boot.
Mario Balotelli 25-1
Balotelli has netted 13 goals in 23 league games for Manchester City this season and at times shown real potential. This tournament is a real chance for Balotelli to live up to his own high estimations of himself as he claims he is the second best footballer on the planet. Team-mates and fans know that Balotelli has the ability to help Italy qualify it’s just a question of what is going through his head on the day. Personally, I can’t see him scoring many as Italy are in a hard group and he has the potential to self destruct whenever he enters the field.
Source: DSG
