World Cup Golden Boot Odds: Kylian Mbappe Edging Closer To Favorite

The soccer season has begun around the world. It's an earlier start to the year than in previous years due to the World Cup that’s set to take place in Qatar this November. As we all get set for that prestigious tournament in a few months, let's look at the early World Cup Golden Boot odds.

Sportsbook BetOnline Sportsbook has Tottenham Hotspurs Harry Kane as the early favorite to win the World Cup Golden Boot with +800 odds, but French forward Kylian Mbappe isn’t far behind Kane with odds at +850.

If you’re looking for more 2022 World Cup betting resources or odds, check out our World Cup odds and futures page or our soccer betting hub.

2022 World Cup Golden Boot Odds

Odds as of August 8 at BetOnline Sportsbook

Why Did Kylian Mbappe Gain Ground on Harry Kane?

Prior to this update, the line was +700 for Kane and +800 for Mbappe a clean 100-point gap. Now that shrunk by half to +800 and +850, respectively. So what happened for Mbappe to gain that kind of ground?

After all, Mbappe missed Paris St Germain’s opener against Clermont and Harry Kane played a full 90 minutes in Tottenham's 4-1 win over Southampton. So if either player is “in form” it's Kane. So shouldn’t he be padding his lead here?

It’s important to look at each player's current form at the international level instead of their club-level performances. Kane has two goals over England’s last six games (including friendlies), both are penalties. Mbappe has three goals over the French’s last six games, two are from open play while one is from the penalty spot.

Scoring more is already better for Mbappe, even if it’s only one more goal. But what really helps is not having to solely rely on converting from the penalty spot to get on the scoreboard. It’s what sets him apart from Kane who, at least recently, can only convert from the penalty spot. That one-dimensional production is hurting Kane's odds. 

Best Bets For World Cup Golden Boot Odds

Bet on the 2022 World Cup here

Neymar Jr. (+1200)

Brazil is goal scoring machine of late. In their last six games (including friendlies) they’ve scored 19 goals. That's an average of 3.16 per 90. Neymar has four goals in those last six games, all of the from the penalty spot.

He’s going to be the primary penalty taker for the Brazilians who will certainly create a number of penalty opportunities. Through CONMEBOL qualification, Brazil created the most penalty opportunities with six.

Neymar has hit the ground running on the season with a goal and three assists for PSG in their 5-0 win over Clermont.

Lock in a bet on Neymar Jr or any other pick for the World Cup Golden Boot over at Bovada:

Karim Benzema (+1100)

It seems that Benzema is back in the good graces of the French football association after his involvement in a scheme that tried to extort money from French teammate Mathieu Valbuena. Benzema was eventually cleared of any criminal involvement.

Since Benzema’s reinstatement into the French squad, he’s scored 10 goals in 16 appearances. The French won the World Cup in 2018 without Benzema, what can they now do with him? They’ll likely go deep into the Qatar World Cup and maybe push to become back-to-back champions since Brazil in 1962.

France has the second-best odds to win the World Cup at +600 behind favorites Brazil.

Past FIFA World Cup Golden Boot Winners

How To Bet On World Cup Golden Boot Odds

The Golden Boot is awarded every World Cup to the player who scores the most goals throughout the entire tournament. Aside from the World Cup Trophy itself, the Golden Boot is the most prestigious – and highly bet upon – award every four years.

One major strategy is to bet on the top goalscorer from a team you think will go deep in the tournament. However, there have been plenty of Golden Boot winners on teams that don’t make it that far into the World Cup.

Whoever you decide to bet on, head over to one of our top soccer sportsbooks and lock in a 2022 World Cup Golden Boot odds bet as early as possible before you miss out on the value: