World Cup 2010 Top Goalscorer betting

There is no higher aspiration for a goalscorer than to win the coveted Golden Boot in football`s biggest competition. This summer, in South Africa, the world`s greatest players will shoot it out as they look to lead their country to World Cup success.

Spain`s David Villa is favourite to land the award at 8/1 (bet £10 to win £80 profit). The Barcelona striker has always found the net at every level and he will have as many chances to continue doing so this year as his side are favourites and look like progressing a long way.

Villa will be competing with team-mate  Fernando Torres of Liverpool, who is priced at 14/1. Both players scored in Spain`s 6-0 win over Poland in their last friendly before the tournament and it is safe to assume both will be among the leaders come the end of the competition.

While Spain can boast some impressive firepower, they are not the only ones. Brazil`s Luis Fabiano, winner of the golden boot at the confederations cup last year, has hit a superb 25 goals in 37 caps, and is 14/1 to complete a very impressive personal double this summer. Others worth mentioning for the five-time winners include Kaka and Robinho, who are available at 40/1 and 33/1 respectively.

Lionel Messi needs no introduction after the season he enjoyed with Barcelona and the current Ballon d`Or holder is priced at 10/1. His goalscoring ability is beyond doubt, but his side have been distinctly underwhelming, as has the 22 year-old`s form for his country at times. Argentina will be counting on him to perform as he does for his club in South Africa if they are to lift the trophy for a third time.

The dependence on Messi does not, however, mean Diego Maradona`s side lack firepower. In Gonzalo Higuian and Diego Milito the Argentines have two of the world`s very best, priced at 20/1 (with William Hill) and 33/1 respectively, to say nothing of Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero, at 40/1 and 60/1, also with William Hill.

England`s answer to Messi is surely Wayne Rooney. The United striker has had a breakthrough season playing as a lone forward and his scoring record has seen him installed as third-favourite to win the Golden Boot at 11/1 with Paddy Power. Many expect him to be partnered, however, by Peter Crouch, and the Spurs man looks good value as an each-way bet at 40/1 having scored more than a goal every two games at international level.

Other players worth noting are Cristiano Ronaldo, Miroslav Klose and Robin Van Persie. Ronaldo is the world`s most expensive player and maybe the only one in the world to rival Messi. He is generally 18/1 for the Golden Boot but Portugal have not convinced of late and in a very tough group they could face an early exit. Klose, winner of the award in 2006, is 33/1 while Van Persie is the focal point of a dangerous Netherlands attack, available at 12/1.

Spain are favourites to win the World Cup this season and the European Champions are no longer than 4/1, followed closely by Brazil at 9/2. The tournament gets under-way on Friday as hosts South Africa face Mexico in Johannesburg.

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