2006 World Cup Golden Boot Betting Tips
It is only when reviewing the complete list of contenders for top goalscorer in the 2006 World Cup that you realise just how many great strikers are out there. This makes it even more tricky to tip potential Golden Boot winners.
How Many Goals Are Needed
Below are the golden boot winners for the last six World Cup finals along with number of goals scored and where their team finished in the competition.| Year | Player | Team | Goals | Finished |
| 1982 | Paolo Rossi | Italy | 6 | Semi Finals |
| 1986 | Gary Lineker | England | 6 | Quarter Finals |
| 1990 | Salvatore Schillaci | Italy | 6 | Semi Finals |
| 1994 | Oleg Salenko = Hristo Stoichkov = |
Russia Bulgaria |
6 6 |
First Round Semi Finals |
| 1998 | Davor Suker | Croatia | 6 | Semi Finals |
| 2002 | Ronaldo | Brazil | 8 | Winners |
So the golden boot winner needs to score at least six goals and ideally reach the semi-finals, although an exceptional scoring streak in earlier rounds can do it also. For example, Oleg Salenko's five goal haul against Cameroon.
The Real Top Goalscorer Contenders
ADRIANO (BRAZIL) :
Brazil are, of course, favourites for the competition
and will need to go the distance to come in with a shout of the Golden Boot as they have no easy games in their Group. While
Ronaldo is favourite for top goalscorer, he hasn't exactly been on fire for Real Madrid this season. Adriano, by contrast,
has scored plenty for Inter and is likely to be Brazil's main scorer.
BEST ODDS ON ADRIANO (BRAZIL) :
12/1 at Bet365
| +1300 at InterTops
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY (HOLLAND) :
Van Nistelrooy got a hatful for Holland in qualifying and was banging them in for fun at Manchester United (until his clash with Fergie) this season. He's a guaranteed starter for Holland these days and should contribute plenty at the World Cup, despite failing to score in their opening match.
BEST BETTING ON VAN NISTELROOY (HOLLAND) : 25/1 at Bet365 | +2500 at Bet365
ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO (UKRAINE) :
A definite each way bet. Shevchenko is class and the Ukraine have Tunisia and Saudi Arabia in their Group, which should mean plenty of goals for the AC Milan forward. Might still win it even if Ukraine get beaten in the second round.
BEST ODDS ON SHEVCHENKO (UKRAINE) : 40/1 at Ladbrokes | +400 at BetWWTS
PEDRO PAULETA (PORTUGAL) :
Pauleta got 11 goals in qualifying - the most of any European. He's also on cracking form this season at Paris St-Germain. As Angola and Iran are in Portugal's World Cup group and are defensively very poor, Pauleta could be a great bet for the golden boot. Particularly as an each way choice.
BETTING ON PAULETA (PORTUGAL) : 16/1 at Bet365 | +2500 at BetWWTS
They Flatter To Deceive
Lots of pundits are looking at the likes of Henry as potential Golden Boot winners. However, Henry is often inconsistent in major tournaments and France just aren't the force they once were.View All Top Goalscorer Contenders »