World Cup 2010: France Top Goalscorer Betting Preview

KNYSNA, SOUTH AFRICA - France have been pushed out to 20/1 from 16/1 to win the World Cup, but regardless how far they progress in the tournament, a winner has to be declared in the top French goalscorer market.

Nicolas Anelka has been chalked up at the 100/30 favourite with William Hill, but punters are not going to be queuing along the high street to take the price after his recent run of lacklustre performances for his country. Anelka undoubtedly shows his best form for his club, which at the moment happens to be Chelsea. Last year`s EPL Golden Boot winner has only scored 14 times in 67 appearances for his country, and the 31-year-old has never set alight an international tournament.

Favourite-backers will be hoping that coach Raymond Domenech can coax the best out of Le Sulk, who has been playing as centre forward in a 4-3-3 formation. However as the tournament progresses Anelka may find himself relegated to the wing, as he failed to net in three recent friendlies against lowly opposition (Costa Rica, Tunisia, China).

Gunners fans in particular may be tempted to side with Thierry Henry in the market, who is a 9/2 chance with Totesport and Betfred. However Domenech travelled to Barcelona before the tournament began to warn Henry that he would not feature in the starting XI, in which case the odds look too skinny, even if Henry proves to be a super-sub.

Franck Ribery is entitled to have his backers at 6/1 with Stan James, but the Bayern Munich star has only scored three times for France before. The fact that he plays on the wing is reflected in his inflated odds, but he is lethal when he gets a sight of goal. The same goes for Chelsea player Florent Malouda, who is 11/1 with Bet 365 on the back of another brilliant season at Chelsea.

Marseille transfer target André-Pierre Gignac is possibly the most interesting contender in the market, and the Toulouse hit-man is a 15/2 (bet £20 to win £150) chance with Bet 365. Gignac scored four times in eight matches during qualifying, and the recent whispers from the France training camp suggest that he could be the second choice No. 9 for France this summer, ahead of 13/1 Djibril Cissé. He has had a poor season by his standards, but his backers will hope that he takes his scoring boots to South Africa.

Yoann Gourcuff is a starter in the XI and will take the set pieces, but he still does not make any appeal at 17/1 with Paddy Power on the back of a mixed season with former Ligue 1 champions Bordeaux.

Midfielder Mathieu Valbuena has been making waves recently, and he is a 25/1 chance in the betting. At bigger prices central defender William Gallas could tempt some bettors at 40/1.

Pessimists can back `no France goalscorer` at 50/1 with Coral, but Blue Square go evens that France score seven or more goals in the World Cup.

Top France goalscorer betting odds

World Cup Golden Boot betting odds

World Cup winner betting odds

Other football betting previews

Claim up to £750 of free bookmaker bets