Euro 2012 Golden boot
It’s already clear to football fans who is most likely to be heading the goal scoring charts at Poland/Ukraine 2012.
The usual leading nations are going to get the furthest, with more games, wins and, inevitably, goals. Of course, it will become clearer when the groups are drawn and the fixtures are out. If a team has easier opposition then there is a higher chance of victory and, as such, goals. Add to that the form of teams, players and their sides approach to games (are they an attacking side?).
Golden Boot betting
It’s hard to look past the man who has not been outscored in the past two major international tournaments. David Villa scored four goals at Euro 2008 to win the Golden Boot and five goals to be joint top scorer in South Africa for the World Cup. 70 caps and 44 goals in international football is an outstanding achievement, as of course are the two top scoring tournament achievements, and, with Spain expected to go all the way again, he’s got the games to score the goals.
His strike partner Fernando Torres has many of the same attributes, and likely the same opportunity come 2012, yet nearly 20 less international goals. His form for the past two years now in internationals and club football has been nowhere near the standard expected, and the Liverpool player struggles with injury continuously.
Two men who have yet to explode onto an international tournament like expected are Ronaldo and Rooney, the best players and goal scorers of their nations. Neither has played as expected on the biggest stage. Ronaldo’s Portugal are not assured of qualification, but if there the team will be strongest in attack. There are few players betters. Rooney will be looking to score for the first time in at a major international competition since Euro 2004. Both will lead their attacks, both can inspire their teams to victory and both have the quality to hit form and goals in Poland and Ukraine.
Euro 2012 Golden Boot odds
Top scorer in qualifying so far Klass-Jan Huntelaar, already hitting 8 goals, scored once from the bench in South Africa, but has been given more opportunity so far and could start to achieve the potential he clearly has.
The resurgent nations Italy and France have two players who didn’t even make their World Cup squads that could take nicely to the platform. Mario Balotelli is still a player with plenty of potential, and could use the competition to really announce himself, whilst Karim Benzema looks finally to have a manager who backs him in Laurent Blanc.
Outside bets? Lukas Podolski plays wide for Germany, yet the team attacks and the he averages a goal every two games. Robbie Keane will lead the line for Republic of Ireland, who will play with tempo and no fear. Him and Spurs teammate Roman Pavlyuchenko have the ability to score goals, but none of the spotlight of world stars. The latter two especially will be big prices, and worth an each way bet.