Brazil 2014: Golden Boot Contenders Mark April 2, 2014 Uncategorized 3 Comments Goals win you football games. For obvious reasons, from having better players around him to playing more games in the tournament knockout stages, the Golden Boot favourites will tend to play for the higher-rated teams. However, playing for one of the top teams does not always mean that the strikers will score goals. For example, 2010 World Cup champions Spain have created a tactical system that does not employ a pure striker, instead playing many attacking midfield players such as Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro. However, they have two strikers in Alvaro Negredo and Diego Costa coming off strong seasons for their club sides, and a more concrete striker may make the Spanish team even more deadly. Because of this, Coral are backing Negredo at 25/1 to win the Golden Boot, however, there are no doubts that Negredo’s Brazil hopes will need to come off the back of a strong finish to the season for his club side Manchester City. In the 2010 World Cup, Germany’s Thomas Müller won the Golden Boot with five goals. This was quite a shock result as he was only 20 years old at the time; the previous golden boots had been won by more established players in Miroslav Klose (2006- 5 goals) and Brazil’s Ronaldo (2002- 8 goals.) For the 2014 World Cup, the Golden Boot favourites are amongst the very best players in the world. Golden Boot- The Favourites Lionel Messi, Argentina, 9/1: With no introduction needed, the world’s best player can destroy teams by himself. A couple of big games could see him out of sight in the goalscoring charts before everyone else begins. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, 14/1: The Real Madrid goal scoring machine will be his side’s primary attacking force. When on form, he can score almost at will and win games on his own. Neymar, Brazil, 14/1: Messi’s fellow FC Barcelona attacker Neymar will hope that the advantage of playing on home turf and being the main attacking force for Brazil will see him score bucketloads. Good Value Bets Luis Suárez, Uruguay, 18/1: Suárez has been in fantastic form for his club Liverpool this season, leading the Premier League golden boot race. Deadly on his day, 18/1 could be a steal if he is on form. Romelu Lukaku, Belgium, 33/1: If Lukaku can match his form for Everton, he could score many goals in a team full of talented creative players.