Rooney Still A Key Player

In our team by team analysis we have focused on goal scorers and their per90 minute production. The logic being the higher the number of goals per90, the more prolific the player.

To narrow down potential Golden Boot candidates we have set three filters:

• More than 3 shots per game
• More than 0.5 goals per 90 (more recent club season)
• More than 0.4 goals per 90 (internationals only)

There are eight players who pass the qualifying criteria and all have claims to be top scorer in Brazil.

Domestic Heavyweights
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Luis Suarez have all enjoyed prolific campaigns for their clubs. All four average around one goal per 90, however Sergio Aguero stands out at international level.

The Man City striker averages 0.70 goals per 90 for Argentina. Given the same amount of playing time, he is more likely to score than Lionel Messi.

It is a surprising conclusion and one worth exploiting with Messi 8/1 (Betfred) for the Golden Boot and Aguero almost double the price at 14/1 (Stan James).

Domestic Struggles
Wayne Rooney and Mario Balotelli can match Ronaldo and Messi in terms of international goals per90 but have struggled domestically.

Manchester United and AC Milan have endured poor campaigns and this will have impacted on their statistics.

Much of the talk during England’s World Cup build up has surrounded Wayne Rooney and whether he deserves to be part of the starting XI. The debate will rumble on, but his goals per 90 at international level is up with the best.

Dark Horses
Edin Dzeko has been a super-sub for Manchester City at times this season but is a guaranteed starter for Bosnia & Herzegovina. His domestic and international goal scoring record is excellent and at 66/1 (Betfred) he could turn out to be a cracking top goalscorer bet. 

A similar argument can be made for Klass Jan Huntelaar (100/1 Coral) but will he get enough game time for the Netherlands?