As we approach Christmas, we approach the mid-way point in Europe’s top competitions. The talk around top scorers is often dominated by who is most in form, or who is currently the best in the world, but actually, it may come down to how far they get in the tournament. The more games, the more opportunities for goals.
The front-runners of Mbappé, Kane and Haaland
We can get a good estimate on the likely outcome by using odds – this is where the Razed Casino sign up bonus comes in handy. Currently, the top scorers in the Champions League are on six goals: Varga, Osimhen and Ishak. But, given that none of these clubs stand a good chance of getting very far, it’s the players just behind on five goals a piece who are favourites.
Kane – 33/10
Bayern have been dominant in the group stage, and their place on the favourable blue-path side of the knockout bracket gives Kane additional scoring runway. His 1.45 goals per 90 shows elite efficiency, and, while their next game is against Arsenal (competition favourites), he has quite the track record of scoring at the Emirates…
Haaland – 7/2
Manchester City are getting back to their old selves, in part because Erling Haaland is carrying them domestically. In Europe, he has a similar output to Kane (1.32 goals per 90) keeping him firmly among the favourites. City sit on the opposite half of the bracket of course, meaning they are likely to face stronger early opponents and aren’t odds-on to make it to the final.
Mbappé – 11/4 (current Razed favourite)
Mbappé is also up there with Kane and Haaland as he’s also scored five so far, but his frequency of scoring (1.28 g/90) and Real Madrid’s strong early-season European form make these odds quite logical. Plus, he won the recent Golden Shoe. Madrid’s bracket path, positioned away from City and Bayern until very late, boosts his chances, even if they aren’t in the best of form.
Rashford and Yamal are chasing the pack
Just behind these three are another set of contenders in Marcus Rashford (16/1) and Lautaro Martínez (16/1), who both got four goals so far. Their odds reflect high ceilings but also the variability in their teams’ performances. It will all come down to whether Manchester United or Inter can make go on a run of form in Europe.
Of course, we have to mention Lamine Yamal at 24/1. The Barcelona prodigy may not have got off the ground yet with goals so far, but he’s one of the best. If Barcelona can put in a good performance at Stamford Bridge, they stand every chance of going far.
Just behind these are names like Bukayo Saka (2 goals), Mohamed Salah and Robert Lewandowski who are in the 29/1 to 34/1 range. Only Saka has really made a start with scoring, and so he becomes an interesting choice for those looking for a dark horse, much like Mao Shang Wong is in the recent Newcastle race at Razed Race betting.
Still wide open
Mbappé, Kane and Haaland on five goals already making it look as if it’s a three-horse race. And between Madrid, City and Bayern, at least one is likely to get to the final (though they didn’t last season). If last season is anything to go by, Arsenal and PSG could go far, which could open it up to an outsider winning Europe’s top goalscorer record. And as for Europe’s Golden Boot award for all goals, it seems clear that this year is likely Haaland’s.
