2018 World Cup Betting Prediction: Top Goal Scorer

Posted by Henry Watkins on Monday,June 11, 2018 11:23, EDT in

We are now just a matter of days away from the start of Russia 2018, and while much of the money being wagered at the moment is on the group stage, there are plenty of other 2018 World Cup Betting options to take a look at. One that is always fun to try and predict is the top goal scorer in the tournament. More often than not, the magic number to win the Golden Boot is 6, as that has been the mark set in 7 of the last 10 World Cups.

There are a couple of things to consider when trying to figure out who will hit the net most often this time around. Ideally, you want a player who plays for a team that is likely to go deep, and you should also be looking at the group stage odds. Look for a top team playing in a lesser group, as that may mean a lot of goals. Let’s look at some of the most likely top scorers at the 2018 World Cup.

2018 World Cup Betting Prediction: Top Goal Scorer

Neymar

  • Country: Brazil
  • Club: PSG
  • International Appearances: 85
  • Goals: 55

The Brazilian often gets overlooked as the best player in the world, but he is right up there with Messi and Ronaldo. Neymar has just recently returned from injury but has scored twice for Brazil in the two games that he has played in since his return. The Brazilians have what looks to be a rather easy group, which means that the goals may come thick and fast. Neymar will get his, but he may share the scoring with another player who will appear on this list.

Lionel Messi

  • Country: Argentina
  • Club: FC Barcelona
  • International Appearances: 124
  • Goals: 64

Argentina plays in a tougher group where goals may be a little more difficult to come by. That said, when the South Americans do score, you have to imagine that Messi is going to be involved. Argentina is favored to go deep in this tournament, but I am not so sure that they are going to light things up offensively.

see Messi as more of a provider on this team, and if the top scorer in the tournament is to come from this group, I think it is more likely to be Sergio Aguero.

Antoine Griezmann

  • Country: France
  • Club: Atletico Madrid
  • International Appearances: 54
  • Goals: 20

France is another team that is expected to make a deep run in this tournament, although they are a moody lot who all too often play down to the level of their opponent.

Antoine Griezmann is among the 2018 World Cup Betting favorites to become the Top Scorer.

That said, they have a lot of talented players in the attacking side of the football, and it is Griezmann who is sure to be among the goals that the French score. I am not that convinced that he will be the top scorer in this squad, though, as I like Kylian Mbappe to lead the way for France.

Gabriel Jesus

  • Country: Brazil
  • Club: Manchester City
  • International Appearances: 16
  • Goals: 9

If you need any convincing that the Brazilians are loaded with firepower, look no further than the fact that the bookies have two of them in among the 2018 World Cup Betting favorites to win the Golden Boot. As good as Brazil have been in the World Cup, it is worth noting that they have only had the Golden Boot winner once since 1966. Yes, they score a lot of goals, but they tend to spread them out among several different players.

I am going outside of these 4 to find the top goal scorer in the 2018 World Cup. I think the Germans are the most dangerous team in the tournament, and I believe that Timo Werner will land atop the scoring list, no matter what the 2018 World Cup Betting Odds might say about it!

Last 12 World Cup Top Scorers

  • 2014: James Rodríguez (6)
  • 2010: Diego Forlan, Wesley Sneijder, David Villa, Thomas Muller (5)
  • 2006: Miroslav Klose (5)
  • 2002: Ronaldo (8)
  • 1998: Davor Suker (6)
  • 1994: Hristo Stoichkov, Oleg Salenko (6)
  • 1990: Salvatore Schillaci (6)
  • 1986: Gary Lineker (6)
  • 1982: Paolo Rossi (6)
  • 1978: Mario Kempes (6)
  • 1974: Grzegorz Lato (7)
  • 1970: Gerd Muller (10)