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Who will be SWC 2018's Golden Boot winner?

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Lionel Messi (Getty Images)
Lionel Messi (Getty Images)

Cape Town - Who will walk away with the Golden Boot at this year's Soccer World Cup? The competition is fierce!

The Golden Boot is awarded to the player with the most goals at the end of the World Cup campaign. There are two previous winner’s involved in this year’s World Cup - Colombia's James Rodriguez who won it in 2014 and Germany's Thomas Muller was the winner in 2010.

Who will win it at the 2018 World Cup?

Lionel Messi | Odds - 9.00 | 44 goals this season

After the way Argentina qualified for the World Cup, it will be an uphill battle for this team to gel. His Golden Boot success relies on the performance of this team mates and whether they can handle the pressure. The real question is whether Messi has the grit to drag Argentina once more through the tournament.

Neymar JR | Odds - 9.75 | 27 goals this season

After missing half the season for PSG, Neymar will make his return to football just in time for the World Cup. He will be rested and ready to make a big impact. With the quality of Gabriel Jesus, Willian and Coutinho in the attack, we should expect goals, goals and more goals. If Neymar wins the Golden Boot, and helps Brazil win the trophy, he could make a surprise entry for the Ballon d'Or.

Antoine Griezmann | Odds - 11.25 | 29 goals this season

Griezmann scored a number of goals in a defensive Atletico Madrid team so it is only natural that the goals will roll in when playing for France. Griezmann has also shown that he can step up in important tournaments, having scored six goals in the Euro 2016 when France lost in the final, and having scored a brace in the Europa League final against Marseille.

Cristiano Ronaldo | Odds - 13.25 | 43 goals this season

After a miserable start to the 2017/18 season, Ronaldo came into his own and he cannot stop scoring. Portugal have some quality midfielders such as Adrien Silva, Bernardo Silva and William Carvalho, who can create numerous opportunities for him. Winning the World Cup will certainly mean that the Ballon d'Or will be given to Ronaldo, and what more incentive does he need to score goals?

Timo Werner | Odds - 14.00 | 40 goals in two seasons

Will we see a Germany Golden Boot winner for the third time in four tournaments. If we are, it is likely to be RB Salzburg striker Timo Werner. Werner also has an outstanding record for his country. Including three at last summer’s Confederations Cup.

Gabriel De Jesus | Odds - 14.50 | 19 goals this season

Brazil’s manager, Tite, has made it clear that Gabriel Jesus is his first choice centre forward by every one of Brazil’s last nine matches. If he can stay fit throughout the campaign, he has a great chance of bagging a number of goals. His quality and talented teammates, like Coutinho, Neymar and Douglas Costa supplying him, makes him an attractive option.

Harry Kane | Odds - 15.25 | 43 goals this season

England have struggled to establish themselves in an International knockout tournament. The English midfield looks to lack a sense of creativity and will rely heavily on Harry Kane. The group stage has all the potential to be a goal-fest or a complete disaster.

Romelu Lukaku | Odds - 15.75 | 27 goals this season

Belgium qualified comfortably for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with Lukaku being their top goal scorer in the qualifiers. He should have endless opportunity to score ahead of  the likes of Hazard, De Bruyne and Mertens.

Diego Costa | Odds - 23.00 | 7 goals this season

Many consider Spain to be the dark horses for the 2018 World Cup and if they have any chance, Costa will need to be at his best. With the likes of David Silva, Lucas Vazquez and Thiago Alcântara, he will without a doubt have the chances. The question will be whether he will take them.

Edinson Cavani | Odds - 24.00 | 40 goals this season

Why would Cavani be the darkhorse for the Golden Boot? The answer to that would be the group stage - Uruguay are in Group A along with Russia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Uruguay are expected to top the group with Cavani scoring for fun.

BET on the Golden Boot winner at BET.co.za!

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