PL Top Goalscorer 2012-13 Tip

One of the biggest betting mysteries out there at the moment is how can Robin Van Persie not be favourite to end the 2012-13 season as the Premier League’s top scorer? The high profile Manchester United recruit led the pack last season in an inferior Arsenal team with an astounding 30 goals. He is a best price 9/1 (Coral) to do it all over again at Old Trafford.

The bookies have decided that Sergio Aguero is a slightly better prospect at 8/1 (BetVictor), presumably just because he plays for the reigning champions. He scored 23 in 2011-12 while Wayne Rooney (8/1 Ladbrokes) chased RVP home with a final total of 27. Fernando Torres, 6 league goals for Chelsea last time, is just one point behind the Dutch star at 10/1 (PaddyPower).

Perhaps there is a school of thought that Rooney will be the main goal beneficiary in Sir Alex Ferguson’s explosive new partnership. I don’t see that at all. The Englishman tends to go through periods in most seasons when he doesn’t really find the net. As part of a front two, he is also the one liable to drop deeper and deeper.

Compare that to Van Persie who has been lethal for 18 months solidly now. As well as 30 successful league strikes in 2011-12, he also contributed a remarkable 18 from the turn of the year in the 2010-11 campaign. He finished just two goals off the pace in that Golden Boot race despite missing half the season through injury.

And that’s the other thing. The former Gunner, so often blighted by knocks a few years ago, has barely missed a match for a year and a half. All things considered we would be foolish not to back the obvious option on this occasion.