Stuck on who to select in the most lucrative Euro 2016 betting market? Let me help you out. Before I discuss the runners and riders though, here are some tips before you make your choices.
- You don’t have to score many goals. David Villa scored 4 in 2008 and was the Top Goalscorer.
- Take the opposition into account. A team with a good striker in an easy group should look to fill his boots in the group stage and add a couple in the knockout stage.
- You don’t have to be the best player in the world to score the most goals. Euro 2004 saw Milan Baros win the Top Goalscorer award.
Favourites
Thomas Muller, Germany
Muller is living up to his reputation as a tournament footballer and has scored five goals at both of the last two World Cups. He was the third highest scorer in qualifying with 9 goals and plays for a country who are likely to make it deep into the tournament. He’s the favourite at 7/1.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
Ronaldo was one of the players who shared the Top Goalscorer award at Euro 2012 and is one of the best players in the world. The team is built around him, but Portugal tend not to score many goals regardless of whether he plays or not. They’re in a group with Hungary and Iceland however, and one of those teams could end up on the end of a Ronaldo thumping. At 8/1 a good pick, but there’s better value elsewhere.
Harry Kane, England
25 goals in the Premier League this year and England’s most reliable goal scorer since Alan Shearer. A fairly simple group awaits and England could go far in the competition. It’s his first major tournament and he’ll be looking to make a good impression. At 12/1, you could do worse.
Robert Lewandowski, Poland
A legitimate contender for this award. The most in-form striker in Europe this season and was top scorer in the qualifying stage with 13 goals. Poland are a good team and are dark horses in this tournament. He’s the main man for the Poles and will be a popular choice at 17/1.
Dark Horses
Olivier Giroud, France
Giroud is the only man in France’s front 3 guaranteed of a starting spot. An easy group awaits and with Benzema absent, Giroud will be required to score the goals. The French defence has been wiped out through injury and they’ll be reliant on the “we’ll score more than you” philosophy. Payet and Pogba will give him plenty of service and the Arsenal striker is priced at 12/1.
Alvaro Morata, Spain
Morata is the subject of intense speculation across Europe and a major tournament will be the perfect place to display his talent. Iniesta and David Silva are the conductors of the Spanish orchestra and will provide service. Spain don’t have a first choice striker, but at 18/1, Morata could make himself just that.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden
50 goals in 52 games for PSG this season says it all, but Sweden don’t have the calibre of player that the Parisians have. He’ll have to fill his boots in the group stage as the Swedes are unlikely to go deep into the knockout stages, but it’ll be tough in a group with Belgium and Italy. At 35/1, Zlatan is a good shout for an each-way bet, but is unlikely to win it outright.
Outsiders
Gareth Bale, Wales
Bale was the only Welsh player to score over 2 goals in the qualifying stage. He loves playing for Wales and the others love having him in the team. He’ll be the best player when they take to the field against England and will look to torment the defences. The three sides that Wales will face in the group all have dodgy defences and the Welshman is well priced at 40/1.
Marc Janko, Austria
Baros 2.0. Janko could easily replicate the Czech’s feats from Euro 2004 if the Austrian team is as good as is rumoured. He scored 7 goals in an unbeaten run in the qualifying stage. Don’t discount the Austrian striker at 50/1.
Mario Mandzukic, Croatia
Mandzukic is another strong contender. Croatia are one of the most underrated teams in Europe, and with his supply line consisting of Rakitic and Modric, Mandzukic won’t be short on chances. He could look to tuck in during the group stage. The Croats are likely to reach the knockout stages where he could add to his tally. Well priced at 33/1.