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World Cup 2010: From Lionel Messi To Wayne Rooney, Who Are The Favourites To Win The Golden Boot In South Africa?
Titanbet give the low-down on the players most likely to be top scorer...
08-Jun-2010 2:55:00 PM
By Alex Dimond
With the World Cup now just three days away, the pressure on the players is only growing as fans' anticipation reaches fever pitch.
While all 736 players involved in this summer's fabled tournament will have their eyes on lifting the trophy come July 11 at Soccer City in Johannesburg, a select few will also have their eyes on another, more individual prize.
The Golden Boot, awarded to the top scorer at each World Cup tournament, has a storied history of its own — and proves a fertile ground for fans to put their money where their mouth is and show how well they know the beautiful game. But which player will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Just Fontaine (1958), Eusebio (1966) and Gerd Muller (1970) to win the prize this time?
Why he can do it:
He's scored goals for fun for Valencia over the last few seasons, and at international level he has notched a phenomenal 37 in just 57 caps. Spain are expected to go far (a major advantage) and, equally significantly, have an easy opening group where he could well fill his boots — something past winners have invariably done.
Titan Bet odds: 8.50
Why he can do it:
The current Ballon d'Or holder, the diminuitive Barcelona forward has been in scintillating form for the last two seasons. Although that form hasn't always translated to internationals, Messi will be keen to prove his critics wrong in South Africa. Argentina's team may not be the most organised, but has plenty of goals in it.
Titan Bet odds: 10.00
Why he can do it:
Likely to be the main goalscoring threat of a nation with the potential to reach the semi-finals, at least, and is coming off the back of his finest domestic season of goalscoring. Has 25 goals to his name from 60 international caps, and has scored with regularity at an international tournament before – four at Euro 2004 when aged just 18.
Titan Bet odds: 11.50
Luis FABIANO | Brazil
Why he can do it:
The main striker of a nation most fans expect to reach the final, which should give him numerous opportunities to get his name on the scoresheet. 25 goals in 36 international games is a formidable record, but a difficult group (with Portugal and Ivory Coast) might nullify his early opportunities to get ahead in the standings.
Titan Bet odds: 12.74
Fernando TORRES | spain
Why he can do it:
For the same reasons that his likely strike partner, Villa, also has a great chance. But the Liverpool man has struggled with injuries in the run-up to the tournament, which might hamper his goalscoring — especially if he is rested in the easier games of Group H. But in the Premier League he has shown a happy knack for scoring against the biggest and best sides.
Titan Bet odds: 13.00
Robin van Persie
Netherlands
Titan Bet odds: 14.70
Why he can do it: Injured for much of the domestic campaign, the Dutchman should be fully rested and raring to go this summer. Likely to take his fair share of set-pieces while operating at the tip of a creative Dutch side, he shouldn't struggle for goalscoring chances.
Why he can do it: The world's most expensive player, Ronaldo will take both penalties and free-kicks for a Portuguese side that has the potential to go far. But his recent performances for the national side have not yielded goals. Has he been saving them up?
Gonzalo Higuain
Argentina
Titan Bet odds: 18.62
Why he can do it: A solid performer for Real Madrid last season, Higuain has won over an initially sceptical Diego Maradona and now looks set to lead the line ahead of Messi in South Africa. Doesn't have the flair of his team-mate, but might be the one given the most chances to demonstrate his clinical finishing inside the box — and he adds a valuable aerial threat too.
Why he can do it: No one knows exactly how Diego Maradona (perhaps not even the man himself) will deploy his variety of attacking options over the next month. But if the Atletico Madrid man gets a regular run of games, he has already shown this season his ability to score in braces against the very best opposition (scoring twice in barely 20 minutes against Chelsea in the Champions League).
Didier Drogba
Ivory Coast
Titan Bet odds: 21.00
Why he can do it: His country's talisman, Drogba will be given the ball at any and ever opportunity as the Elephants look to play their way out of a very tough group. One African country is likely to go far in the first World Cup on their continent — why can't the Chelsea man score the goals that see Ivory Coast become that team?
While all 736 players involved in this summer's fabled tournament will have their eyes on lifting the trophy come July 11 at Soccer City in Johannesburg, a select few will also have their eyes on another, more individual prize.
The Golden Boot, awarded to the top scorer at each World Cup tournament, has a storied history of its own — and proves a fertile ground for fans to put their money where their mouth is and show how well they know the beautiful game. But which player will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Just Fontaine (1958), Eusebio (1966) and Gerd Muller (1970) to win the prize this time?
The favourite five
David VILLA | Spain
Why he can do it: He's scored goals for fun for Valencia over the last few seasons, and at international level he has notched a phenomenal 37 in just 57 caps. Spain are expected to go far (a major advantage) and, equally significantly, have an easy opening group where he could well fill his boots — something past winners have invariably done.
Titan Bet odds: 8.50
Lionel MESSI | Argentina
Why he can do it: The current Ballon d'Or holder, the diminuitive Barcelona forward has been in scintillating form for the last two seasons. Although that form hasn't always translated to internationals, Messi will be keen to prove his critics wrong in South Africa. Argentina's team may not be the most organised, but has plenty of goals in it.
Titan Bet odds: 10.00
Wayne ROONEY | England
Why he can do it: Likely to be the main goalscoring threat of a nation with the potential to reach the semi-finals, at least, and is coming off the back of his finest domestic season of goalscoring. Has 25 goals to his name from 60 international caps, and has scored with regularity at an international tournament before – four at Euro 2004 when aged just 18.
Titan Bet odds: 11.50
Luis FABIANO | Brazil
Why he can do it: The main striker of a nation most fans expect to reach the final, which should give him numerous opportunities to get his name on the scoresheet. 25 goals in 36 international games is a formidable record, but a difficult group (with Portugal and Ivory Coast) might nullify his early opportunities to get ahead in the standings.
Titan Bet odds: 12.74
Fernando TORRES | spain
Why he can do it: For the same reasons that his likely strike partner, Villa, also has a great chance. But the Liverpool man has struggled with injuries in the run-up to the tournament, which might hamper his goalscoring — especially if he is rested in the easier games of Group H. But in the Premier League he has shown a happy knack for scoring against the biggest and best sides.
Titan Bet odds: 13.00
The value bets
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Recent Golden Boot winners
2006: Miroslav Klose 5 (Germany) 2002: Ronaldo 8 (Brazil) 1998: Davor Suker 6 (Croatia) 1994: Oleg Salenko 6 (Russia) Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria) 1990: Salvatore Schillaci 6 (Italy) |
Robin van Persie Netherlands
Titan Bet odds: 14.70
Why he can do it: Injured for much of the domestic campaign, the Dutchman should be fully rested and raring to go this summer. Likely to take his fair share of set-pieces while operating at the tip of a creative Dutch side, he shouldn't struggle for goalscoring chances.
Cristiano Ronaldo Why he can do it: The world's most expensive player, Ronaldo will take both penalties and free-kicks for a Portuguese side that has the potential to go far. But his recent performances for the national side have not yielded goals. Has he been saving them up?
Gonzalo Higuain Argentina
Titan Bet odds: 18.62
Why he can do it: A solid performer for Real Madrid last season, Higuain has won over an initially sceptical Diego Maradona and now looks set to lead the line ahead of Messi in South Africa. Doesn't have the flair of his team-mate, but might be the one given the most chances to demonstrate his clinical finishing inside the box — and he adds a valuable aerial threat too.
Sergio Aguero Why he can do it: No one knows exactly how Diego Maradona (perhaps not even the man himself) will deploy his variety of attacking options over the next month. But if the Atletico Madrid man gets a regular run of games, he has already shown this season his ability to score in braces against the very best opposition (scoring twice in barely 20 minutes against Chelsea in the Champions League).
Didier DrogbaIvory Coast
Titan Bet odds: 21.00
Why he can do it: His country's talisman, Drogba will be given the ball at any and ever opportunity as the Elephants look to play their way out of a very tough group. One African country is likely to go far in the first World Cup on their continent — why can't the Chelsea man score the goals that see Ivory Coast become that team?
The worthwhile flutters
Miroslav Klose (Germany): (26.00) He's done it before — and even though he is struggling for form it's hard to argue why he can't he do it again. Scoring goals in World Cups is something the Bayern Munich man does very well.
Nilmar (Brazil): (26.00) Showed his trickery against England in last year's friendly. Plays in an area in which many defences will struggle to pick him up, and could use that to his advantage as opponents focus too much of their attention on Fabiano.
Diego Forlan (Uruguay): (51.00) La Liga's most prolific scorer in recent times, with Ajax's Luis Suarez keeping opposition defenders occupied Forlan should get plenty of chances from anywhere within 30 yards, and has the quality to take more than a few of them.
Frank Lampard (England): (51.00) Coming off another stellar goalscoring campaign from midfield for Chelsea, the Three Lions' penalty taker will test opposition goalkeepers early and often with the erratic Jabulani ball. Had the most shots at the 2006 tournament (although infamously didn't score), and could well match that again. Five goals won the boot last season, he could easily notch that with a good shooting display.
Titan Bet are giving away an incredible $100 million to the fan who can correctly predict all 64 games in the World Cup. There is a guaranteed $1 million up for grabs for the fan who comes closest!
Odds correct at time of publication. Predictions are based on current form and information and cannot be guaranteed. Goal.com encourages all readers who bet to do so sensibly.
Become a fan of Goal.com India's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
Nilmar (Brazil): (26.00) Showed his trickery against England in last year's friendly. Plays in an area in which many defences will struggle to pick him up, and could use that to his advantage as opponents focus too much of their attention on Fabiano.
Diego Forlan (Uruguay): (51.00) La Liga's most prolific scorer in recent times, with Ajax's Luis Suarez keeping opposition defenders occupied Forlan should get plenty of chances from anywhere within 30 yards, and has the quality to take more than a few of them.
Frank Lampard (England): (51.00) Coming off another stellar goalscoring campaign from midfield for Chelsea, the Three Lions' penalty taker will test opposition goalkeepers early and often with the erratic Jabulani ball. Had the most shots at the 2006 tournament (although infamously didn't score), and could well match that again. Five goals won the boot last season, he could easily notch that with a good shooting display.
Titan Bet are giving away an incredible $100 million to the fan who can correctly predict all 64 games in the World Cup. There is a guaranteed $1 million up for grabs for the fan who comes closest!
Odds correct at time of publication. Predictions are based on current form and information and cannot be guaranteed. Goal.com encourages all readers who bet to do so sensibly.
Become a fan of Goal.com India's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
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