2014 World Cup Golden Boot – the best value bets
Germany striker Thomas Muller was the surprise winner of the Golden Boot four years ago in South Africa as he helped guide his side to third place in the competition. The Bayern Munich forward notched five goals, which saw him beat out Spain’s David Villa and the Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder to win the award. Who could provide bolt from the blue in Brazil?
At 50-1 Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is an excellent bet to scoop the award. The 26-year-old has been in prime form Carlo Ancelotti’s side this season, scoring 24 goals in all competitions. Benzema gain a huge advantage over his competitors for the award as he plays in arguably the weakest group in the tournament against Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras. With players such as Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri playing behind him, Benzema will surely get his fair share of opportunities to find the net and could be the reason for France’s surge to the latter stages of the competition.
Romelu Lukaku has had yet another impressive campaign in the Premier League this time on-loan at Everton, and he will look to take his form into his first World Cup for Belgium. The 20-year-old has notched 13 goals in the top flight this season and at 33-1 is considered just outside the top 10 candidates to be the leading marksman in Brazil. Belgium, like France, play in a favourable group which should see them progress to the second round of the tournament at least, and the striker should have plenty of chances to find the net with Eden Hazard supplying the ammunition.
England’s hopes of winning the World Cup could be slim, but if Daniel Sturridge maintains his current form they have an excellent chance of getting out of the group stages. A real outside bet at 66-1, the 24-year-old will face stern tests against Italy and Uruguay in Group D, but could cash in against Costa Rica and help Roy Hodgson’s side make a push for the second round. Sturridge has shown in his 20 strikes in the Premier League for Liverpool that he can score from all angles, and could be the reason for an unlikely success for the Three Lions in Brazil.
These three players have excellent chances to scoop the Golden Boot, but just as much rests of the form of their respective teams than it does their prowess in front of goal.
Long shot bets for the Golden Boot
Daniel Sturridge 66-1 with bet365
Karim Benzema 50-1 with Bet Victor
Romelo Lukaku 33-1 with William Hill
