Euro 2012: Golden Boot Latest Odds

As we reach the climax of Euro 2012 there is still a 4-way tie for leading goalscorer and a few other players who could yet make a late bid for glory.

Alan Dzagoev and Mario Mandzukic (both 40/1 StanJames) have both gone home with 3 goals to their name. That’s the same tally as Mario Gomez and Cristiano Ronaldo who are still in the tournament. We take a closer look at who might be the best bet.

Mario Gomez (Germany)

Best Odds: 15/8 (WilliamHill)
Goals: 3
Verdict: Has a semi-final against Italy to look forward to, assuming he makes the starting line-up. Was a shock omission for the quarter-final when Joachim Lowe decided to freshen things up. The understudies did well so Gomez is no certainty to get back in. However, if he does then there may be two more games to add goals with Germany favourites to reach the final.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Best Odds: 9/4 (Coral)
Goals: 3
Verdict: Has become the first player to ever have 30 shots in a Euro tournament after just four matches. Would already have the Golden Boot in the bag if he’d been a little luckier having struck the woodwork four times. Less fancied than Gomez because the Spanish are expected to knock Portugal out, but that could be a misjudgement.

Fernando Torres (Spain)

Best Odds: 7/1 (WilliamHill)
Goals: 2
Verdict: Scored twice against Ireland but has been used as a substitute for half Spain’s matches so far. So much depends on whether Vicente Del Bosque thinks the mercurial striker is the right choice for the clash with Portugal. If he plays he is always likely to be served up with chances but his confidence remains fragile at times.

Cesc Fabregas (Spain)

Best Odds: 20/1 (WilliamHill)
Goals: 2
Verdict: The ‘ghost striker’ alternative to Torres. Has played exactly the same number of minutes (174) as the Chelsea man and contributed the same number of goals. He found the net against Italy and Ireland and looked disgruntled to be taken off against France. Priced down because he is still essentially a midfielder getting into advanced roles.

Xabi Alonso (Spain)

Best Odds: 25/1 (Bet365)
Goals: 2
Verdict: Was a 250/1 shot before he popped up with a decisive brace against France at the weekend. Renowned more as a creator, but has chipped in with 15 goals in 100 games for La Roja. The fact he took the penalty in the quarter-final is always worth bearing in mind.

Mario Balotelli (Italy)

Best Odds: 66/1 (Skybet)
Goals: 1
Verdict: The Azzurri don’t have anyone with more than a single goal to their name so far but if anyone is going to go on a late surge it’s surely the Manchester City enigma. Is now only behind Ronaldo for shots on target (12) with plenty of efforts going high or wide as well (9). If he finds his radar then perhaps Italy will have two more matches to play.