As the Premier League gets underway for the 2024/25 season, the buzz around who will clinch the top scorer title is already resonating across the football community.
The Golden Boot is a coveted honour, one that immortalises the player in Premier League history.
As teams strengthen their squads and fans dust off their jerseys, a group of elite strikers are prepping to lead the charge in the goal-scoring saga that lies ahead.
The previous seasons have seen a crop of incredible goal scorers who have showcased a level of consistency and finesse that sets them apart.
These players have a proven track record, with the ability to find the back of the net under almost any circumstance.
So just who is in the running for the title in the Premier League 2024/25 season and who will be the top scorer when it all ends next May?
Undoubtedly, Manchester City’s darling, Erling Haaland, is a top contender, but are there any surprises among the usual contenders?
Top Scorer Odds
It should come as no surprise that Erling Haaland is top of the betting markets again.
But bookmakers do pay out each-way to four places so if you back a player and they finish in the top four overall, you could get some money back on your bet which is worth considering for a longer odds outsider who could get close.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | 4/7 |
| Mohamed Salah | 8/1 |
| Alexander Isak | 12/1 |
| Ollie Watkins | 16/1 |
| Darwin Nunez | 18/1 |
| Cole Palmer | 20/1 |
| Dominic Solanke | 20/1 |
| Ivan Toney | 20/1 |
| Bukayo Saka | 25/1 |
| Son Heung-Min | 25/1 |
| Kai Havertz | 28/1 |
| Rasmus Hojlund | 28/1 |
| Christopher Nkunku | 33/1 |
| Cody Gakpo | 33/1 |
| Jean-Philippe Mateta | 33/1 |
| Nicolas Jackson | 33/1 |
| Phil Foden | 33/1 |
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Erling Haaland – 4/7 (Manchester City)
Erling Haaland joined Manchester City FC from Borussia Dortmund in July 2022. He signed a five-year deal that keeps him at the club until the summer of 2027.
It should be noted that his contract with City includes a special €200 million buyout clause that could allow him to transfer to FC Barcelona or Real Madrid in 2024.
However, rumours are that Man City is keen to give Haaland a new contract which will remove the release clause. Watch this space!
Since joining, he has been instrumental in Manchester City’s quest for success. His performances in both the Premier League and the Champions League have been crucial for the team’s ambitions.
As of August 22nd, 2024, Haaland has made 67 appearances for Manchester City in the Premier League, scoring 64 goals.
Additionally, as of last season, he holds the record for the most goals scored by a player in a single Premier League season with 36 goals (2022/23).
He’s won the Golden Boot in the last two seasons, and with his current form, it’ll take a miracle to knock him off the top spot.
Mohamed Salah – 8/1 (Liverpool)
Mo Salah, has had a remarkable career with Liverpool FC since joining the club in the summer of 2017.
He’s recognised as one of the world’s best forwards and has significantly contributed to Liverpool’s success over the years.
In his debut season (2017-2018), Salah set a new Premier League record by scoring 32 goals in a 38-game season. He also helped Liverpool reach the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final.
He formed a formidable attacking trio with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané, and played a key role in Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League title successes in the following seasons.
As of August 2024, Salah has made 251 appearances for Liverpool in the Premier League, scoring 156 goals.
He won his first Golden Boot in 2017–18, was joint top scorer the following season and earned his hat-trick of titles in the 2021-22 season along with Son Heung-min. Both scored 23 goals in 35 appearances.
There’s a long way to go this season, but Salah is a master of his craft, and anything is possible.
Alexander Isak – 12/1 (Newcastle United)
Alexander Isak joined Newcastle United from Real Sociedad on 26th August 2022.
Despite his young age, he brought significant experience from top football divisions in Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain.
Alexander Isak’s chances of winning the Golden Boot in the Premier League for the 2024/25 season hinge on several factors, including his goal-scoring record over the past couple of seasons, his development as a player, and the overall performance of Newcastle United.
Isak had a solid debut season for Newcastle United after his move from Real Sociedad. Despite some injury setbacks, he managed to score 10 goals in 22 Premier League appearances.
Building on his first season, Isak improved his consistency and fitness, becoming a key player for Newcastle. He scored 14 goals in 31 league appearances, making him Newcastle’s top scorer.
If he can maintain full fitness throughout the season, his chances of competing for the Golden Boot will significantly improve.
He could realistically aim for 18-22 goals this season, which would put him in contention, though probably not as the outright favourite unless he exceeds expectations.
Ollie Watkins – 20/1 (Aston Villa)
Ollie Watkins currently plays as a forward for Aston Villa and the England national team.
He has emerged as one of the Premier League’s top strikers, particularly under the management of Unai Emery at Aston Villa.
Last season, he continued his fine form, becoming even more consistent under Emery. He netted 19 goals in 37 league appearances, establishing himself as one of the top English forwards in the league.
Watkins’ ability to play both centrally and on the wings allows him to exploit different defensive setups, but he primarily thrives as a central striker where he can finish off moves or make runs behind the defence.
Like Isak, Watkins faces stiff competition from top strikers in the Premier League. To win the Golden Boot, he will need to maintain his consistency but his chances could be enhanced if he becomes the regular penalty taker for Villa.
The Dark Horses
Amidst the usual suspects, there are those who lurk in the shadows, ready to surprise.
They might not have the same level of scrutiny or expectations but possess the talent and the circumstance to rise above the rest.
Their journey towards the Golden Boot is laden with challenges, namely beating goal-scoring machines like Haaland, but the potential reward is monumental.
This season, there are two potential contenders…
Darwin Nunez – 18/1 (Liverpool)
Darwin Núñez is a dynamic and powerful forward who has shown flashes of brilliance since joining Liverpool.
He had a mixed debut season at Liverpool after his big-money move from Benfica, scoring 9 goals in 29 Premier League appearances, which was a decent return considering it was his first season in England.
Núñez improved in his second season, becoming more integrated into Liverpool’s attack. He scored 11 goals in 36 league appearances, showing better chemistry with teammates like Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz.
He has shown improvement in his finishing, but his conversion rate still needs to be more clinical if he is to challenge for the Golden Boot.
Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer is a young and talented forward who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2023.
After moving to Chelsea, Palmer found more regular playing time under Mauricio Pochettino. In the 2023/2024 season, he scored 22 goals in 33 Premier League appearances.
At Chelsea, Palmer is often deployed as an attacking midfielder or winger. However, if Pochettino develops him into a more direct goal threat, his goal-scoring numbers could improve.
How To Become A Top Scorer
The tactics employed by teams play a crucial role in determining the top goalscorer.
Teams that adopt an attacking philosophy provide a fertile ground for their strikers to flourish.
The setup, the formation, and the support from midfield are essential components that foster goal-scoring opportunities.
The more conducive the environment, the higher the likelihood of a player topping the goal charts.
A striker placed in a well-oiled attacking machinery stands a better chance. It’s a symbiotic relationship; the team benefits from the goals, and the player inches closer to the Golden Boot.
Players who have won the Golden Boot in the past have often been central to a team’s strategy.
And if everyone, including the manager, has created plays that revolve around you, then your chances of becoming a top scorer are even greater.
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