The Quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup is set to kick off in a matter of hours. The teams still involved have all played 4 games. There is one player that has stood above the rest when it comes to goal-scoring. France’s Kylian Mbappe has separated himself by 2 goals. His tally is at 5 while 9 players are tied for second with 3 goals. 

We’ll preview the top 3 players in contention and give their odds to win the Golden Boot

The France Star is in Minus Money

Sometimes 5 goals is good enough to win the Golden Boot in the World Cup. Kylian Mbappe achieved such a fate in the Round of 16 in this year’s tournament. Mbappe scored in his team’s first game, twice in the second, and then added another two against Poland in the Round of 16. If he’s able to score another, he will put himself in a good position to have a sole position of the Golden Boot by the tournament’s end. 

Mbappe has found himself in minus money with at least a couple of teams set to play 3 more games. This is rather unprecedented in recent World Cup history. France’s next opponent will be England. They’ll take on their European rivals on December 10 at 2 PM EST from Al Bayt Stadium.

Can Richarlison Get in the Mix?

Brazil forward, Richarlison, scored what was perhaps the goal of the tournament when he found the left corner of the goal on a bicycle kick against Serbia. He’s added two others in this tournament, bringing his goal count to 3. Brazil is currently the favorite to win the World Cup, increasing the likelihood of Richarlison playing 3 more games. He’ll have to add at least one to his tally when his team takes on Croatia at 10 AM EST on December 9th.

Richarlison has the second-best odds to win the Golden Boot, yet they’re way longer than Mbappe’s. The Brazil forward will be hoping that England is able to upset France, thus eliminating Mbappe from the tournament. You can be sure that most of Richarlison’s thoughts are towards his team’s quarterfinal match and not what may be happening elsewhere.

What Can Messi do for an Encore?

Lionel Messi announced a couple of months ago that this would be his last World Cup. At 35, we could probably take his word for it. Messi has scored 3 goals so far in this tournament including what was his first World Cup knockout stage goal ever in his team’s win over Australia. Messi is a man on a mission right now, and that mission is to deliver his country a World Cup.

Messi has the third-best odds in most NY sportsbooks of winning the Golden Boot. He’s not close with Mbappe but is just behind Richarlison. It will take some all-time great magic for him to win this award, but if there is one thing we know for sure, it’s to not count him out.

2022 World Cup Golden Boot Best Odds

Kylian Mbappe-167 (BetRivers)
Richarlison+900 (BetRivers)
Lionel Messi+1400 (BetRivers)

Longshots

There are some names outside of the top 3 to keep your eye on. Portugal’s 21-year-old forward, Goncalo Ramos, netted a hat trick in his side’s Round of 16 match against Switzerland. He became the first player in this year’s tournament to score 3 goals in a single game after starting in place of Cristiano Ronaldo. They were his only three goals of the tournament but look for him to try to continue his stellar play in the quarterfinals. Ramos has +2300 odds to win the Golden Boot.

France’s Olivier Giroud is another guy with 3 goals. Giroud is France’s all-time leading goalscorer and is always a threat to score for his national side. The problem with betting on Giroud is that he plays alongside Mbappe. If Giroud is adding goals it means Mbappe probably is as well. Giroud can score with ease but his +3000 odds still don’t make him a good bet to win the Golden Boot.

Cody Gakpo has shown the ability to score consistently during this World Cup. The Dutch star is one of the better longshot picks having scored in each of his team’s first 3 games. Gakpo’s long odds are partly due to the fact that his team isn’t expected to win it all. If he leaves the tournament in the quarters he won’t have a chance but at +5000 he’s not a bad pick.

At this point, it’s Kylian Mbappe’s award to lose. For others looking to get in on the mix, they’ll be hoping to see England deliver a knockout blow to France in tomorrow’s matchup.

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