Euro 2020 Golden Boot: who will top the scoring charts this summer?

There have been seven different winners of the last eight European Championships and bookmakers are anticipating more variety in the delayed 2020 tournament with England and Belgium, two yet to be successful, vying for favouritism.

Seven nations are quoted at single-figure odds, highlighting the strength in depth, and locating the tournament winner can also be a useful starting point when attempting to unearth some value in the top scorer betting.

Five years ago in France, Antoine Griezmann was the Golden Boot hero with six goals from seven starts as Les Bleus finished runners-up to Portugal.

There was a six-player dead-heat in 2012 but two of those involved, Fernando Torres of Spain and Italy's Mario Balotelli, featured in the final.

Spain’s David Villa topped the scoring charts in 2008 as La Roja reigned supreme while Milan Baros was a shock winner in 2004 as the Czech Republic reached the last four.

This season’s domestic fixture pile-up means fatigue may be a factor, but it is important to focus on those representing a country with realistic trophy claims as well as boasting form in major competitions.

Here, we assess the chances of the ten leading contenders for the Euro 2020 Golden Boot.

Harry Kane
England 6-1

Hopes are high for England after their run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, but their chances depend largely on the influence of Tottenham talisman Harry Kane.

The 27-year-old clinched the World Cup Golden Boot three years ago as he fired home six of their 12 tournament goals and greater creativity in the England midfield makes him a standout candidate again.

Despite Spurs' struggles, Kane held his form well domestically to claim the Premier League Golden Boot for a third time, scoring 23 goals, but could transfer speculation impact his performances?

Already sixth on England’s all-time leading scorer list with 33 goals from 52 caps and with the Three Lions housed in a soft section with Croatia, Scotland and Czech Republic, he is rightly favourite.

Romelu Lukaku
Belgium 8-1

Things didn’t go to plan for Romelu Lukaku at Manchester United but a switch to the San Siro has sparked the Belgian into life.

Lukaku netted 30 times in 44 appearances for Inter last season as the Nerazzurri claim Serie A glory. The powerful forward is also making hay for Belgium, with 59 goals from 91 games, and is arguably better than ever.

The 27-year-old managed two goals at Euro 2016, but doubled that tally at the World Cup in Russia two years later.

With super service provided from Manchester City’s assist king Kevin De Bruyne and confidence flowing, Lukaku, who has netted 36 goals in his last 31 internationals, is sure to figure prominently with Belgium expected to go deep. He looks a great betting proposition.

Kylian Mbappe
France 9-1

Kylian Mbappe stole the show when France were crowned world champions in 2018 and he is widely regarded as the standard-bearer for football's next generation.

The 22-year-old fired in 42 goals in 47 starts for PSG last season, but he has scored just 16 times in 41 caps for France. In fact, Mbappe has managed only six goals from his last 17 international matches.

While he is prolific in Ligue 1, Mbappe has been far less dominant for his country, scoring a goal every 177 minutes.

Competition for goals with compatriots Antoine Griezmann and Karim Benzema, combined with a wider role, makes his price look skinny.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal 10-1

Cristiano Ronaldo has won almost every accolade in world football and he is still among the goals despite hitting 36 years of age.

Ronaldo has scored 102 goals in 172 international appearances, although it is worth noting that just 16 of those have come from 38 starts in major competition.

With 36 goals from 44 appearances for Juventus this season, Ronaldo clearly remains in good nick, but group games against France and Germany make it tough from the outset.

The presence of Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Andre Silva in Portugal's squad makes the competition for goals fierce and there is better value to be had.

Karim Benzema
France 16-1

Didier Deschamps threw the cat among the pigeons as far as the Golden Boot betting is concerned when he announced that Karim Benzema would be included in France's squad for the tournament.

Benzema has not played for France since 2015 in the wake of a blackmailing scandal and a very public falling out with Deschamps after the coach decided against picking him for the 2016 World Cup.

However, a sustained period of excellent scoring form for Real Madrid - 30 goals in 46 games in all competitions last season - has pushed Benzema's claims for a spot in Les Bleus squad and he was formally included in the final squad.

With 27 goals in 81 international games, Benzema has never been prolific for France but is a fascinating contender if he starts against Germany on June 15, albeit one who may have to share the goals with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

Memphis Depay
Netherlands 20-1

Only Kylian Mbappe scored more goals than Memphis Depay in Ligue 1 last season and the Dutch supporters will be hoping the lively Lyon forward can translate that form to the international scene.

Depay struck 21 times in 38 appearances for Lyon and also managed 15 goals in 22 starts in their truncated 2019-20 campaign.

But for one reason or another Depay is not scaling the same heights for his country and his 61 caps have yielded just 21 goals – an average of one every 213 minutes.

The 27-year-old has managed only two goals in his last ten international appearances and although a group featuring Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia enhances his chances, there are more convincing profiles.

Antoine Griezmann
France 20-1

Antoine Griezmann scooped this prize in 2016 with six goals, finishing three clear of his nearest pursuers, as France finished runners-up to Portugal.

It has been a disappointing campaign for Griezmann at Barcelona, where he has scored just 20 times in 51 starts, but he thrives on the big occasion and is at his best for his country.

The 30-year-old has amassed ten goals in 19 appearances in major tournaments for France and he has bagged five goals in his last ten international starts.

Punters should expect better than Griezmann has shown for his club this season but the added presence of Benzema, as well as Kylian Mbappe, in the France squad makes his price look about right.

Alvaro Morata
Spain 20-1

Being Spain’s number-one striker presents a big opportunity for Alvaro Morata, who has scored 19 goals in 38 caps as well as netting three times from four appearances at Euro 2016.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a reasonably profitable scoring campaign at Juventus with 20 goals in 44 matches despite sharing the limelight with Cristiano Ronaldo.

A changing of the guard has seen Spain’s quality dip, but Morata is their focal point and their chances may depend on his goalscoring touch. He is an interesting contender and may represent each-way value.

Timo Werner
Germany 25-1

Timo Werner moved to Chelsea from Leipzig last summer bringing a huge reputation, but he has taken time to adjust to life at Stamford Bridge, scoring just 12 goals from 51 appearances.

Werner adopts a more central role for Germany, but a lack of confidence is a big burden to carry and he has hardly been prolific for his country either.

The 25-year-old has registered 15 goals in 36 caps for Germany and failed to score in three appearances at the 2018 World Cup, despite racking up 266 minutes against Mexico, Sweden and South Korea.

He has a point to prove and it would take a great leap of faith to back him given Germany's difficult group.

Ciro Immobile
Italy 25-1

Italy’s resurgence – they are on a 23-game unbeaten run – and a rich vein of goalscoring form at Lazio ensures Ciro Immobile figures prominently in the Golden Boot betting.

But while Immobile’s haul of 25 goals in 41 appearances for Lazio this season is respected, there is little evidence to suggest he is capable of repeating those exploits for Azzurri.

The 31-year-old has managed only 11 goals in 44 caps for Italy, failing to score in any of his four starts in major competitions. He has plenty to prove on the big stage.

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