Euro 2024 top goalscorer predictions: Kane to be challenged hard by Havertz
- Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe dominate the Golden Boot betting
- Rejuvenated Romelu Lukaku could make hay with soft section to suit
- Recommended bet: Kai Havertz each-way at 33/1
Cristiano Ronaldo was crowned top goalscorer at Euro 2020, with his five goals and one assist enough to see off Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick, and the Portuguese phenomenon will be hoping to repeat the trick in what looks set to be his international swansong.
The 39-year-old is featuring at the European Championship for a record sixth time and, in what is surely his last ever major tournament, he is 12/1 with LiveScore Bet to reproduce his heroics of three years ago.
With England and France the two leading trophy candidates, it will come as no surprise to see Bayern hotshot Harry Kane and Real Madrid’s latest superstar signing Kylian Mbappe dominate the Golden Boot betting.
Other players prominent in the market include Kane’s Three Lions team-mates Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka, Mbappe’s compatriots Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann and Belgian powerhouse Romelu Lukaku.
Kane favoured over Mbappe
Having landed the Golden Boot at the World Cup two years ago, Mbappe heads the betting at 9/2 with LiveScore Bet, with Kane considered the biggest threat to his supremacy at 11/2 with LiveScore Bet.
However, Mbappe failed to score a single goal at Euro 2020 as France limped to a round-of-16 exit and he is sure to get stiff competition from Giroud and Griezmann for goals.
Kane, meanwhile, claimed top goalscorer honours at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and confidence should be soaring following his 36-goal haul in his first season in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.
Therefore, the 30-year-old should be pretty content to see the European Championships being staged in Germany and, with him also on penalty duty for an England side expected to go right to the business end, he could be a difficult man to contain.
Kane is going to receive some super service from the likes of Bellingham, Foden and Saka and topping a winnable group containing Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia would also see them rewarded with a favourable path to the semi-finals.
Lots to like about Lukaku
One player who is potentially flying under the radar is Belgium’s Lukaku, who was the leading marksman in Euro 2024 qualifying with 14 goals in just eight appearances.
A loan switch to Roma appears to have reinvigorated Lukaku, who netted 21 goals in 47 matches in all competitions this season, with seven of that total coming from 13 starts in Europa League.
That shows his liking for knockout football and suggests there are plenty of good days ahead in the 31-year-old, who is sure to get plenty of goalscoring chances with the superb Kevin De Bruyne marshalling the midfield.
A group consisting of Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine looks inviting and Lukaku, who is available at 16/1 with LiveScore Bet, has been prolific for his country, netting 83 goals in 114 caps.
Happy Havertz a danger for hosts
Coming into a major tournament on the back of a strong finish to a domestic campaign can only be a positive and that gives Kai Havertz a chance of making his presence felt for hosts Germany.
Havertz made a slow start to his Arsenal career following his £65m move from their London rivals Chelsea, but the patience shown in him by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was rewarded as he scored nine goals in his final 14 appearances and chipped in with six assists.
That upturn in form was once Arteta opted to deploy him as a centre-forward and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann also played him in that position in March’s friendly wins over France and the Netherlands.
Havertz was on the scoresheet against France, taking his tally to 15 goals from 44 caps, and if he hits the ground running as a number nine then he could outrun his 33/1 odds with LiveScore Bet.
Prediction
Havertz has certainly found his feet at club level and spurred on by home crowds at the Euros he could be worth backing at 33/1 each-way with LiveScore Bet.
