Betting Special: Morgan odds on for Women's World Cup Golden Ball as USA knock out England

USA striker Alex Morgan is 4/5 (1.80) favourite to win the Golden Ball award at the Women's World Cup.

The prize is given to the best player in the tournament. Unlike the Golden Boot, which has a set criterion of goals and assists to decide the winner, here a shortlist is drawn up by the FIFA technical committee and votes are cast by selected members of the media.

Morgan has leading claims to the award after scoring her sixth goal of the competition in the 2-1 semi-final win over England as well as providing three assists.

That victory in Lyon has ensured that Jill Ellis' side will contest the World Cup final for the third consecutive tournament and for the fifth time in just eight editions.

Getty Images

Of the seven previous seven Golden Ball winners, four were also the top scorer, or joint top scorer for the World Cup in question (Sun Wen and Sissi tied with seven goals in 1999), but it's not always the case that leading the scoring charts guarantees this award too.

While Morgan is the joint-highest scorer in France, the fact that five of her goals came against Thailand in a 13-0 win on matchday one could open the door to another candidate scooping the prize.

Megan Rapinoe has garnered significant media attention for her on field performances as well as her comments off it throughout the competition, including a spat with US President Donald Trump.

Goal

The 33-year-old winger was an unused substitute in Lyon but having scored five goals, a stellar showing in the final could see Rapinoe surpass her teammate in the Golden Ball standings. USA's designated penalty taker is available to back at 5/2 (3.50) with 888Sport.

Rose Lavelle has two goals to her name and despite an eye-catching display against England the midfielder looks a little short in the betting at 6/1 (7.0).

The shortest price non-American player is Netherlands midfielder Sherida Spitse with striker Vivianne Miedema, who has scored three times in France so far, priced at 9/1 (10.0).

There has never been a Golden Ball winner that didn't contest the World Cup final, but Ellen White is 11/1 (12.0) to buck that trend after spearheading England's run to the third-place play-off with six goals.

Get the latest Women's World Cup odds with 888Sport888Sport