Who Will Win The World Cup 2018 Golden Boot?
Over 300 goals were scored last World Cup for an average of 2.7 per game over 112 games. James Rodriguez scored six, Thomas Muller scored five, and eight others scored three goals or more. With all the scoring, it’s hard to stand out but James and Muller did.
We look at the five best bets to lead the World Cup in scoring complete with betting odds. All odds courtesy of Sports Interaction.
- Odds to be Top Goal Scorer: +900
- Odds to win Player of the Tournament: +680
Tied with Messi as the odds-on favourite, Neymar Jr. is a “safer” bet as Brazil has an easier path to the Finals and he has less competition on the squad for goal-scoring duties. The 26-year-old talisman was injured during the last World Cup and watched helplessly as his team was embarrassed by the Germans.
Neymar Jr. is still shaking off the cobwebs but has scored six goals in his last 12 games with the team. Thanks to a change in coaching, the Brazilians now have a more fluid style of play that benefits Neymar’s versatile abilities. This won’t be the same sluggish Brazilians from 2014.
Brazil is the favourite (+408) win the tournament and Neymar Jr. will be leading the charge. If they make it all the way, he has seven apps to produce six goals, which is usually good enough to lead the tournament.
- Odds to be Top Goal Scorer: +1100
- Odds to win Player of the Tournament: +1400
The French forward broke out in a big way in 2016 by leading Euro 2016 with six goals and scoring eight in total in 15 apps. This included a pair of goals against Germany as the home team made it all the way to the Finals. They’re among the favourites (+565) to win the World Cup and should at least make it deep.
France boasts a squad filled with prolific scorers. Joining Griezmann is Paris star forward Kylian Mbappe and Premier League assassin Olivier Giroud. The colourful Paul Pogba will also be a threat from the midfield. But Griezmann will be the team’s primary triggerman.
Griezmann may not have the technical prowess of a Messi or Ronaldo but his incredible work-rate and ability to be effective from almost any position: on the attack, set-pieces, or penalties, makes him a solid bet to be among the tournament’s top goal-scorers.
- Odds to be Top Goal Scorer: +1600
- Odds to win Player of the Tournament: +300
Belgium (+1100) has graduated from a dark horse to a legitimate cup contender and Lukaku is a huge reason why. Along with fellow stars Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, Lukaku leads a Belgian outfit that will be scoring a lot of goals, especially in a relatively soft group.
Lukaku has been scoring goals at an alarming rate. He already has 34 goals in just 68 apps and he’s only just 25. This includes 11 goals in 10 caps during the qualifiers and multiple-goal games against Mexico and Saudi Arabia during the friendlies.
The Belgians are poised to make at least the quarterfinals barring any upsets and that’s more than enough games for Lukaku to score five goals, good enough to at least tie for the lead. Hazard (+3800) will also be a goal-scoring threat but with their current 3-4-2-1 formation, Lukaku is the more likely scorer.
- Odds to be Top Goal Scorer: +6100
- Odds to win Player of the Tournament: +4700
Last tournament’s Golden Boot winner is a relative longshot simply for the fact no leading scorer has repeated in World Cup history although players like Thomas Muller and Miroslav Klose managed to score the exact same amount in consecutive tournaments.
James took home the Boot in 2014 with six goals and could’ve scored more if Colombia made it further than the quarters. They could repeat their finish from that period and are in a group with no elite defensive teams. James’s biggest challenger is his own teammate, Radamel Falcao (+4600).
The 26-year-old struggled to make an impact with Real Madrid but is killing it with Bayern Munich. In his last 22 international apps, he’s scored eight goals and hasn’t scored in 2018 though Falcao has four goals in just seven apps dating back to 2017. But if it’s a coin flip between both, take James at a better payout.
- Odds to be Top Goal Scorer: +6300
- Odds to win Player of the Tournament: +7700
For four consecutive World Cups, a German has finished in the top three in goal-scoring thanks to Germany finishing no worst than third-place since 2002. Die Mannschaft scores at a consistent pace and Thomas Muller (+2800) is the favourite German to lead the tourney in scoring but forgotten son Reus is a sleeper.
Reus will be making his World Cup debut after being injured in the last two. His selection came with much controversy as it came at the expense of Leroy Sane. Reus hasn’t scored an international goal since March 2015 and has only made three apps in the last three years.
It’s unclear if Reus even starts for Germany’s 4-2-3-1 lineup but if the team struggles to score early, they could switch things up and Reus could be beneficiary.
One thing the World Cup promises is unexpected heroes and the controversial Reus could rise on the biggest stage and be the top goal-scorer for the Germans, who are favourites (+409) to repeat.
FIFA World Cup 2018 Broadcast in Canada
Most fans who watch the World Cup don’t know a lot about soccer but they know enough to follow the biggest stars and goal-scoring heroes. Canadian coverage is on CTV, RDS, and TSN. Similarly, online sportsbooks serve Canadians looking to bet by offering 24-7 service.
| Date | Broadcast | Start Time (ET) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 14 | Russia vs. Saudi Arabia | 10am | TSN/CTV |
| Thursday, June 14 | Highlight Show | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Thursday, June 14 | Match Of The Day | 11pm | TSN2 |
| Friday, June 15 | Egypt vs. Uruguay | 7am | TSN |
| Friday, June 15 | Morocco vs. Iran | 10:30am | TSN |
| Friday, June 15 | Portugal vs. Spain | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Friday, June 15 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Friday, June 15 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN2 |
| Saturday, June 16 | France vs. Australia | 5:30am | TSN/CTV |
| Saturday, June 16 | Argentina vs. Iceland | 8:30am | TSN/CTV |
| Saturday, June 16 | Peru vs. Denmark | 11:30am | TSN/CTV |
| Saturday, June 16 | Croatia vs. Nigeria | 2:30pm | TSN/CTV |
| Saturday, June 16 | Highlight Show | 5:30pm | TSN |
| Saturday, June 16 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN2 |
| Sunday, June 17 | Costa Rica vs. Serbia | 7am | TSN/CTV |
| Sunday, June 17 | Germany vs. Mexico | 10:30am | TSN/CTV |
| Sunday, June 17 | Brazil vs. Switzerland | 1:30pm | TSN/CTV |
| Sunday, June 17 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Sunday, June 17 | Match Of The Day | 6pm | TSN2 |
| Monday, June 18 | Sweden vs. Korea Republic | 7am | TSN |
| Monday, June 18 | Belgium vs. Panama | 10:30am | TSN |
| Monday, June 18 | Tunisia vs. England | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Monday, June 18 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Monday, June 18 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Tuesday, June 19 | Colombia vs. Japan | 7am | TSN |
| Tuesday, June 19 | Poland vs. Senegal | 10:30am | TSN |
| Tuesday, June 19 | Russia vs. Egypt | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Tuesday, June 19 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Tuesday, June 19 | Match Of The Day | 8:30pm | TSN |
| Wednesday, June 20 | Portugal vs. Morocco | 7am | TSN |
| Wednesday, June 20 | Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia | 10:30am | TSN |
| Wednesday, June 20 | Iran vs. Spain | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Wednesday, June 20 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Wednesday, June 20 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Thursday, June 21 | Denmark vs. Australia | 7am | TSN |
| Thursday, June 21 | France vs. Peru | 10:30am | TSN |
| Thursday, June 21 | Argentina vs. Croatia | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Thursday, June 21 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Thursday, June 21 | Match Of The Day | 11:30pm | TSN |
| Friday, June 22 | Brazil vs. Costa Rica | 7am | TSN |
| Friday, June 22 | Nigeria vs. Iceland | 10:30am | TSN |
| Friday, June 22 | Serbia vs. Switerland | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Friday, June 22 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Friday, June 22 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Saturday, June 23 | Belgium vs. Tunisia | 7am | TSN/CTV |
| Saturday, June 23 | Korea Republic vs. Mexico | 10:30am | TSN/CTV |
| Saturday, June 23 | Germany vs. Sweden | 1:30pm | TSN/CTV |
| Saturday, June 23 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Saturday, June 23 | Match Of The Day | 6pm | TSN2 |
| Sunday, June 24 | England vs. Panama | 7am | TSN/CTV |
| Sunday, June 24 | Japan vs. Senegal | 10:30am | TSN/CTV |
| Sunday, June 24 | Poland vs. Colombia | 1:30pm | TSN/CTV |
| Sunday, June 24 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Sunday, June 24 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Monday, June 25 | Uruguay vs. Russia | 9:30am | TSN |
| Monday, June 25 | Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt | 9:30am | TSN2 |
| Monday, June 25 | Iran vs. Portugal | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Monday, June 25 | Spain vs. Morocco | 1:30pm | TSN2 |
| Monday, June 25 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN/TSN2 |
| Monday, June 25 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Tuesday, June 26 | Denmark vs. France | 9:30am | TSN |
| Tuesday, June 26 | Australia vs. Peru | 9:30am | TSN2 |
| Tuesday, June 26 | Nigeria vs. Argentina | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Tuesday, June 26 | Iceland vs. Croatia | 1:30pm | TSN2 |
| Tuesday, June 26 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN/TSN2 |
| Tuesday, June 26 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Wednesday, June 27 | Korea Republic vs. Germany | 9:30am | TSN |
| Wednesday, June 27 | Mexico vs. Sweden | 9:30am | TSN2 |
| Wednesday, June 27 | Serbia vs. Brazil | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Wednesday, June 27 | Switzerland vs. Costa Rica | 1:30pm | TSN2 |
| Wednesday, June 27 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN/TSN2 |
| Wednesday, June 27 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Thursday, June 28 | Senegal vs. Colombia | 9:30am | TSN |
| Thursday, June 28 | Japan vs. Poland | 9:30am | TSN2 |
| Thursday, June 28 | England vs. Belgium | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Thursday, June 28 | Panama vs. Tunisia | 1:30pm | TSN2 |
| Thursday, June 28 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN/TSN2 |
| Thursday, June 28 | Match Of The Day | 11:30pm | TSN2 |
| Saturday, June 30 | 1C vs. 2D | 9:30am | TSN/CTV |
| Saturday, June 30 | 1A vs. 2B | 1:30pm | TSN/CTV |
| Saturday, June 30 | Highlight Show | 11:30pm | TSN2 |
| Sunday July 1 | Match Of The Day | Midnight | TSN2 |
| Sunday, July 1 | 1B vs. 2A | 9:30am | TSN/CTV |
| Sunday, July 1 | 1D vs. 2C | 1:30pm | TSN/CTV |
| Sunday, July 1 | Highlight Show | 9pm | TSN |
| Sunday, July 1 | Match Of The Day | 9:30pm | TSN |
| Monday, July 2 | 1E vs. 2F | 9:30am | TSN |
| Monday, July 2 | 1G vs. 2H | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Monday, July 2 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Monday, July 2 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Tuesday, July 3 | 1F vs. 2E | 9:30am | TSN |
| Tuesday, July 3 | 1H vs. 2G | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Tuesday, July 3 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Tuesday, July 3 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Wednesday, July 4 | Match Of The Day | 3pm | TSN |
| Wednesday, July 4 | Match Of The Day | 10pm | TSN |
| Thursday, July 5 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN2 |
| Friday, July 6 | Quarterfinal 1 | 9:30am | TSN |
| Friday, July 6 | Quarterfinal #2 | 1:30pm | TSN |
| Friday, July 6 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Friday, July 6 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Saturday, July 7 | Quarterfinal 3 | 9:30am | TSN/CTV |
| Saturday, July 7 | Quarterfinal 4 | 1:30pm | TSN/CTV |
| Saturday, July 7 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Saturday, July 7 | Match Of The Day | 5pm | TSN2 |
| Sunday, July 8 | Match Of The Day | 4pm | TSN |
| Sunday, July 8 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Monday, July 9 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Tuesday, July 10 | Semifinal 1 | 1pm | TSN/CTV |
| Tuesday, July 10 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Tuesday, July 10 | Match Of The Day | 8pm | TSN |
| Wednesday, July 11 | Semifinal 2 | 1pm | TSN/CTV |
| Wednesday, July 11 | Highlight Show | 4:30pm | TSN |
| Wednesday, July 11 | Match Of The Day | 9:30pm | TSN |
| Thursday, July 12 | Match Of The Day | 3pm | TSN |
| Friday, July 13 | Match Of The Day | 3pm | TSN |
| Saturday, July 14 | 3rd Place Match | 9:30am | TSN/CTV |
| Saturday, July 14 | Highlight Show | 12:30pm | TSN |
| Saturday, July 14 | Match Of The Day | 4pm | TSN |
| Sunday, July 15 | Final | 10am | TSN/CTV |
| Sunday, July 15 | Highlight Show | 2pm | TSN |
| Sunday, July 15 | Match Of The Day | 7:30pm | TSN |
Category : Soccer News
