The Euro 2020 group stage is complete and the knockout stages are almost upon us, so what better time to take a look at the current race for the Golden Boot?
A number of players have scored a handful of goals already and here is who are the current favourites with bookmaker Betfred.
Cristiano Ronaldo (8/11)
The veteran Portuguese star has had a bright start to his Euro 2020 campaign having picked up five goals so far, albeit three penalties (you still have to score them).
With Portugal securing a place in the round of 16, where they will face Belgium in Seville, Ronaldo will be hoping to add one or two more goals to his tally for not only his personal benefit but in the hopes of delivering back-to-back European Championships for his side. He has two more goals than any other player in the tournament so far, so he stands a very good chance of being the Golden Boot winner.
Romelu Lukaku (6/1)
The Belgium striker has three goals to his name heading into the knockout stages and he will be hoping to add a few more as the world number one side will be looking to go all the way this tournament.
Lukaku will be relieved that Kevin De Bruyne is already fit and firing on all cylinders for the Red Devils so he will not be short of chances being created for him by the Manchester City superstar.
Karim Benzema (14/1)
After a five-year exile from the French national team, Benzema has made his return known as he scored two of France’s four goals at the tournament so far, both in their final group stage match against Portugal. He stepped up to take a penalty and converted after missing his last three spot-kicks for Les Bleus.
As France’s leading scorer and his side marked as the favourites to win the tournament, it is no surprise that Benzema is near the top of this list and he will be hungry to score a couple more against Switzerland in the round of 16.
Ciro Immobile (16/1)
The Italian forward has looked sharp in attack for the Azzurri so far and his current goal tally stands at two. He will be eager to score a few more to catch up with Ronaldo as Italy look to be one of the strongest forces in the tournament.
Roberto Mancini has them playing outstanding football with such intensity that they will be feared by most sides who have reached the knockout stages. The way they play with such grace and skill means they are never short of creating chances and Immobile will be hoping to convert a few of them when they face Austria on Saturday.
Georginio Wijnaldum (16/1)
The Dutchman is the only midfielder breaking into the bookies top five and for good reason. With three goals already this tournament, Wijnaldum’s ability to find space and convert chances is not something to be underestimated.
The Netherlands have looked sharp in their opening three games, playing some of the best attacking football in the tournament. Wijnaldum has been operating as a number ten for two matches while sitting deeper in the other and it is clear he is far better utilised by Frank De Boer just behind the forwards.
His tenacity to chase the ball out of possession, as well as his quality in possession, are crucial to the way the Oranje play and he could yet score a couple more goals before this tournament ends.
Anyone Else?
There are a few outsiders who are still in contention for this prestigious accolade. They include Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick (20/1) and Sweden’s Emil Forsberg who both have three goals so far.
Then there is the Dutch forward Memphis Depay (16/1) who has two goals to his name. The new Barcelona man will be eager to get a couple more goals for his side before he is reunited with former Oranje boss Ronald Koeman at Camp Nou.
