World Cup Top Goalscorer Betting Update

Gonzalo Higuain`s hat-trick against South Korea today sees the Real Madrid striker installed as the 2/1 favourite on Betfair to win the coveted Golden Boot as this year`s World Cup in South Africa. Higuain was outscored only by Lionel Messi in La Liga last season and his side look good enough to go a long way in the tournament.

He is followed in the betting by Germany`s Miroslav Klose. Klose scored in the 4-0 win over Australia in the Germans` opening game and is a world class international goalscorer, with 49 in 97 caps. He is 12/1 with Paddy Power and 11/1 elsewhere to win the award for the second consecutive tournament after scoring five in his home country four years ago.

Diego Forlan scored twice as Uruguay beat South Africa 3-0 and the Atletico Madrid striker is generally available at 12/1 for the Golden ~Boot. However, his side look unlikely to go too far in the competition and he may have few chances to add to his total.

One player who will not have that as a concern is David Villa. Signed prior to the tournament by Barcelona, Villa has been prolific everywhere he has ever played and is Spain`s main goalscorer. Despite their shock defeat to Switzerland on Wednesday, they will go a long way and will create chance after chance for Villa, who is a best-priced 14/1 with Sky Bet.

At the same price is Ballon d`Or winner Lionel Messi. The pretender to Diego Maradona`s throne has been given more freedom than he previously had for the national team and will hope to recreate the mind-blowing form he showed this season at Barcelona. He is surrounded by talented players but has so far failed to score in his first two matches, however, and has a lot to do to catch up with team-mate Higuain.

Sky Bet offer 16/1 on Wayne Rooney, on whom England`s World Cup hopes rest. Rooney looked dangerous against the USA alongside his favoured partner, Emile Heskey, and England`s remaining group games should provide ample opportunities for the Manchester United man.

An interesting outsider is surely Brazil`s Robinho. Robinho has scored three times in his country`s last three games and is playing for one of the best sides in the tournament. At 66/1 with Sky Bet, he looks excellent each-way value.

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