Dive into the fierce Champions League top scorer battle. Haaland, Kane, and Mbappe lead, with surprises from Lewandowski, Alvarez, and dark horses. Check betting odds and player insights.
As we approach Matchday five of the Champions League group stage, premier betting sites present diverse markets for betting enthusiasts. Notably, one market centres on the tournament’s top scorer.
This season marks the absence of long-standing goal chart dominators, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, a trend since 2003. Currently, no player has established a significant lead in the scoring charts, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive race.
Now, let’s delve into the potential contenders and their corresponding odds for this prestigious accolade.
Haaland and Kane Lead the Charge
Haaland and Kane emerge as the primary contenders for the top scorer title. Haaland, last season’s leading goal-scorer with 12 goals, played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s historic tournament victory.
Leading by four goals over the second-placed Mohamed Salah, Haaland is the 5/4 favourite to secure this season’s top scorer position. Currently, he shares the joint-second spot with four goals, making him a formidable bet.
Harry Kane follows closely at 9/4, motivated by the opportunity to clinch the Champions League. Leaving Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern Munich, Kane has already made an impactful start with four goals to his credit.
Mbappe and Morata Positioned in Betting Rankings
Regarded as one of the current best players globally, Kylian Mbappe holds the third spot in the market at 9/1 on football betting sites. This distant standing is attributed to Mbappe’s limited impact in the competition, finding the net only twice so far.
Additionally, uncertainties surround Paris Saint-Germain’s longevity in the Champions League due to a challenging group draw, casting doubt on their advancement.
On the other hand, Alvaro Morata shares the top scorer position after four group games, securing an 11/1 position. The Atletico Madrid frontman has impressed since returning to the Spanish capital during the summer.
Lewandowski and Alvarez: Dark Horse Contenders
Robert Lewandowski, the top scorer in the 2019/20 Champions League with 15 goals for Bayern Munich, now aged 35 and playing for Barcelona, remains a formidable striker in Europe. Despite his fearsome reputation, he has scored only once in the current competition, positioning him as a dark horse at 20/1 with BetMGM.
Julian Alvarez, also at 20/1, presents another dark horse possibility. The Argentine, a skilled footballer, plays second fiddle to Haaland at Manchester City in goal-scoring. Although Alvarez has netted three times thus far, securing the top spot remains a challenging endeavour.
Hojlund’s Brilliance and Griezmann’s Quality Evident
Rasmus Hojlund, awaiting his inaugural goal for Manchester United in the Premier League, has flourished in European competition. The former Atalanta striker boasts five goals in the group stage, a feat unmatched by any other player.
Despite this, Hojlund remains a 25/1 underdog with Spreadex to claim the title of the Champions League’s most prolific player, largely attributed to Manchester United’s current position at the bottom of their group, jeopardizing their progression.
Contrastingly, Antoine Griezmann is making a mark with Atletico Madrid, scoring four goals to date. Despite his notable performance, it’s somewhat surprising that he’s priced at 25/1, possibly owing to the fact that the Frenchman doesn’t play as a conventional striker.
Real Madrid Duo: Current Outsiders in Champions League Scoring
Traditionally accustomed to having top scorers in the Champions League, Real Madrid witnessed Cristiano Ronaldo achieve this feat six times during his tenure at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, followed by Karim Benzema in 2021/22.
Jude Bellingham (25/1) and Vinicius Junior (33/1) emerge as the primary contenders for Real Madrid, yet they are not favored by betting apps. Bellingham, despite a remarkable start in Spain, faces challenges as a midfielder to reach double figures in European goals.
Vinicius, a key player for Madrid, lags three points behind Hojlund and Morata, making him a contender with ground to cover in the race for the top spot.