World Cup Golden Boot Betting

World Cup betting will sweep the world when the action begins on the 11th June. The coaches are putting the final touches to their squads and we are getting ready for the start of the action in this once every four years footballing extravaganza. We are going to focus on the players who will be the stars of the show; the goal scorers. Players like Rooney, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are likely to dominate the headlines and the goal scoring charts. I always have a bet on the top goalscorer for the World Cup and am happy to give you some more World Cup info to help you decide which player or players to bet on.

My tips for the Golden Boot winner are, (note all betting odds used in this football article are from bwin.com)

Lionel Messi – 7/1 & Gonzalo Higuain 18/1 – ARGENTINA

Messi has had an incredible season with La Liga champions Barcelona with 47 goals in all competitions. He goes into the World Cup with a renewed public opinion that he is not only the best player in the world but thought of in a similar vein to Maradona and Pele and is quite rightly the favourite to take the Golden Boot back to Argentina. If Argentina does well in the competition under Diego Maradona, then Messi will surely have a great chance at scoring lots of goals and thus making a success of any wagers on him. At 7/1 I think this is a good bet.

Higuain has burst onto the scene at Real Madrid and looks every bit a quality player. With Messi alongside him he should get chances to score.

David Villa 8/1 & Fernando Torres 12/1 – SPAIN

As Euro 2008 champion’s expectations are high for Spain. Their young forwards Torres and Villa have another two years success and experience under their belt and will be disappointed with anything less than a semi-final place this summer. Both players are under intense scrutiny with massive transfers potentially in the offing for both players. Torres has endured a tough season at Liverpool but his goal scoring ability has never been in question. Villa is a top player who could well be the star of the World Cup in what is an extremely talented Spanish side. A bet on either player to win the golden boot award is not foolish.

Wayne Rooney – 15/2 – ENGLAND

England relies heavily on Rooney and he has shown temperament frailties in the past. In the pressure cooker environment of the World Cup Rooney will be goaded by opponents and this could affect his composure at key moments. If England win the World Cup or come close expect Rooney to be very much in the frame for the golden boot. England’s poor performances since the 1990 semi-final appearance lends me to think playing down Rooney’s chances for this award is sensible, but I have never hoped I am wrong more in my life! Other England players who often score are Frank Lampard at 100/1, Steven Gerrard at 80/1 and Peter Crouch at 70/1. Crouch always does well against lower quality international sides and could grab four or five goals in the group stages if he plays in the matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 16/1 – PORTUGAL

Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to score lots of goals from midfield and is reaching an incredible peak in his career. Clearly one of the best midfielders in the world this strong and agile player strikes fear into every opponent. If Portugal do well Ronaldo will score goals. At 16/1 I am tempted to back Ronaldo as his goal scoring pedigree at every level he has played at is totally proven and Portugal will look to Ronaldo for goals and leadership. And it does not take a genius to realise how motivated he will be for the World Cup.

It is a scary thought for any team. Hopefully Messi, Ronaldo et al will reward our faith in them and produce some amazing football this summer at the 2010 World Cup.

By Malcolm Clarke