World Cup Top Scorer Odds: Rashford's Price Slashed After Brace Against Wales
Marcus Rashford had looked set for a bit part role for England in Qatar at the World Cup when starting as a substitute in the first game against Iran. After coming off the bench to score with one of his first touches, however, the clamour for him to start has grown. He misfired against the USA but got his chance from the off against Wales and took it with both hands.
Now just 16/1 best priced (which is a boosted bet from William Hill, a bookmaker you can sign up for HERE) for the Golden Boot having been 150/1 pre-tournament, the Manchester United forward has also leapt to favouritism in the Top England Goalscorer market. We've taken a look at Rashford's Golden Boot chances here...
Top Goalscorers so far at the World Cup:
- Mbappe, Valencia, Gakpo, Rashford: 3
- Torres, Morata, Taremi, Giroud, Richarlison, Messi, Kramaric, Kudus, Geu-sung, Bruno Fernandes, Saka: 2
There won't be many football fans, or indeed just regular decent human beings, that aren't pleased to see Marcus Rashford back to his best this campaign after a wretched 18 months.
The Manchester United man has admitted that injuries and personal aspects of his life had impacted his club form for United, something that led to him losing his place in the England squad.
Thankfully, Rashford has been reborn this season under Erik ten Hag, scoring four goals in 15 appearances but more importantly looking sharp, hungry and fitter than ever.
He has played wide left, as a central striker and wide right and this versatility is one of his key strengths. Back in the England fold and back among the goals, he looks sure to keep his place in the side as the knock-out games begin against Senegal.
Kieran Trippier has been England's man for set pieces over recent years, but after Rashford's thunderbolt of a free-kick against Wales the United striker will be putting his hand up at every opportunity to have a pop from deadball situations.
This strengthens his potential Golden Boot case, however the uncertainty around his starting position and England's probable quarter-final defeat by defending champions France certainly do not.
Another negative for Rashford's chances of securing the Top Scorer gong is the sheer quality of those level with or just one goal behind him in the leaderboard.
Kylian Mbappe is the hottest property in world football right now and it would be a brave punter to back him not to score against any defence in world football.
He is the right favourite in this market and should take all the beating, but Cody Gakpo is another elite forward who has been on fire in Qatar. The Netherlands look set to go deep into the tournament and Gakpo looks another better bet than Rashford at this stage.
The list of players just one behind the leading pack with two goals to their name includes some of the world's greatest players, no-one more so than Lionel Messi.
On set piece duty and the talisman of Argentina, he is second favourite behind Mbappe at a best price of 9/1 and this looks better value in truth than the boosted 16/1 available with the same bookmaker William Hill for the England man.
Brazil's starting forward Richarlison is also just one goal back and with the favourites more than likely reaching the latter stages of the tournament, he cannot be ruled out, while Bruno Fernandes has looked sensational for Portugal and could throw his hat into the ring at 33/1 best price.
In truth the juice in Rashford's price to be World Cup Top Scorer looks to be gone (and congratulations to anyone sitting on a 150/1 ticket from before a ball was kicked by the way!) but he could be better value in the top England goalscorer list.
The good folks at BetVictor have got prices still available in-play for the England Top Goalscorer and unsurprisingly Rashford is odds-on. The man he replaced in the starting eleven Bukayo Saka is second favourite at 4/1 after his double against Iran, however this looks skinny now his minutes could be limited due to Rashford's stunning performance against Wales.
Next up come a quartet at 12/1, with captain Harry Kane (0 goals so far) joined by Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Raheem Sterling who have hit the back of the net once. Bellingham and Kane look the most assured of minutes going forward, and with this World Cup predictably bringing plenty of penalties anyone looking to have a bet at this stage will surely be leaning the way of Kane despite his blank returns from the group stages.
The Spurs man is one of the world's best goal-getters and with one or two against Senegal (England are odds-on to beat the African champions) then his price would more than half to claim the title once more of England's leading marksman at a major tournament. Rashford certainly deserves to be favourite in the form he is in, but at the current prices in both markets can be left alone with better value alternatives lurking in behind.