World Cup top goalscorer predictions: Time for some Dutch courage

- Kane and Mbappe lead the way in top scorer betting 
- Soft section for the Netherlands represents opportunity for Dutch stars
- Recommended bet: Cody Gakpo each-way at 66/1

Winning the Golden Boot at a World Cup is one of the biggest things a player can achieve in their career and there are some big names set to battle it out for the accolade in Qatar this winter.

Harry Kane was the last to win the award, scoring six times as England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and he is among the frontrunners to come out on top in the next month or so.

Kane and Mbappe head top goalscorer market

Kane leads the way in the top scorer market at 7/1 with LiveScore Bet after his heroics in Russia four years ago and Tottenham's main man is also enjoying an outstanding Premier League campaign, having scored 12 times in 15 matches.

But it is worth noting England are not in the easiest of sections in Qatar with Iran a tough nut to crack and Wales and the USA both likely to put up fights against the Three Lions.

Kane's closest competitor in the race to be top scorer, according to the odds, is France sensation Kylian Mbappe, whose club form is also hard to ignore.

Mbappe signed off before the World Cup with a goal in Paris Saint-Germain's 5-0 mauling of Auxerre, taking his Ligue 1 tally to 12 goals this season, while he is also top scorer in the Champions League this campaign with seven strikes.

Mbappe was named young player of the tournament when France lifted the trophy four years ago and is worth keeping an eye on again.

Messi looks to bow out with strong performance for Argentina

For Lionel Messi, this will be his final ever World Cup and he will be determined to make it one to remember for in-form Argentina.

The Albiceleste have a plethora of options up top, from Julian Alvarez to Lautaro Martinez, but Messi is still their main man and shone brightest at the 2021 Copa America, in which he was named player of the tournament.

He is 10/1 with LiveScore Bet to be top scorer at the Qatar World Cup and, while it would be no surprise for him to set the tournament alight, he has evolved into more of a creator than goalscorer during his time with PSG, and there are better bets elsewhere.

Favourable group makes Dutch starlet intriguing

The group stage can often play a key role in the race for the Golden Boot and few teams have softer sections on paper than the Netherlands.

In Group A, the Dutch will open against defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal, who could be tricky to navigate, but then they face Ecuador and tournament hosts Qatar.

Both sides could have a tough time of it against the Netherlands, whose best chance of goals looks to be Memphis Depay, on offer at 22/1 with LiveScore Bet in the top goalscorer betting.

But Depay has been out of favour for club side Barcelona and a better bet at a much bigger price is Cody Gakpo at 66/1 with LiveScore Bet.

Gakpo has scored nine goals and laid on 12 assists in the Dutch Eredivisie this season and has netted in two of his last three games for the Netherlands.

Prediction

For those after a solid bet, Mbappe is worth going for at 8/1 but there is each-way value in backing Gakpo at a huge 66/1 with LiveScore Bet.