World Cup Top Goalscorer - Part I

This is always a popular market and one where big returns can be made. With each way betting allowing a return on the 1^st 3 home with most bookmakers.  We will run down a lot of the top players and break down their chances of success.

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 83 games 37 goals.  Messi is the favourite here due to his heavy scoring for Barcelona (41 in 46 games this season) -  A big plus for Argentina also is a favourable group and an easier run to the semifinal stages. Will have ample opportunities to score, however he will be playing a deeper role for Argentina, behind Higuian and Aguero.  9.00 with Williamhill.
2. Neymar (Brazil) – 48 games 31 goals.  2^nd favourite with most books and a prodigious goalscorer for his country where is he the focal point of all attacks. Seemed to start well for Barcelona but then had a stop start season where he finished way behind Messi and even below Sanchez and Pedro. Plays as the central attacker for Brazil though and looks nailed on for a place at least. 11.00 with Bet365.
3. Sergio Aguero (Argentina) -  47 games 21 goals. Will by vying with Messi and Higuain for Argentina goals but will have a lot of chances. Was on fire for Man City this year and looked unstoppable at times, scoring 28 in 34 games. Will be in frame but slight negative as goals will be shared for Argentina. 16-1 with bet365.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 110 games 49 goals. Would be a lot shorter price for sure but in a tough group and potentially a tough draw ahead also. Portugal are not at the highest level either at present. Had to qualify via playoffs and finished behind Russia. Had a phenominal season again for Madrid, scoring 51 in 47 games. He is the main man for Portugal and will likely net almost all of their goals. 16-1 with PaddyPower.
5. Fred (Brazil) 26 games 19 goals. Classic centre forward and deadly finisher. Not as high profile as some but worthy of a starting place with Brazil. Finished joint top scorer at Confed cup but lost out on minute average to Torres. Has had a quiet start for Fluminense this term with 8 in 23. Will be faced with sharing goals between Neymar, Hulk and the midfield also. Is prone to ill discipline too.   22-1 with Paddypower.
6. Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina) 36 games 21 goals.  Vastly underrated forward for me and one of the livelier outside bets for the goalscorer award. Deadly finisher and allround play is exceptional, scored only 1 less than Messi in qualifiers despite playing less games.  Scored 24 in 44 for Napoli in his debut season in Italy.  22-1 with Paddypower.
7. Luis Suarez (Uruguay) 77 games 38 goals. Suarez had an exceptional year for club and country. Finished top scorer in England with 31 goals in 37 games and topped the CONMEBOL qualifiers with 11 also. Doubts over his fitness as he recently underwent surgery, plus they are in a tough group with one of England, Uruguay and Italy leaving the contest at the group stage. 25-1 with Williamhill.
8. Diego Costa (Spain) 1 game 0 goals. Brazilian born Costa was capped by Brazil but chose to represent Spain where he has lived for 7 years. Had an exceptional year leading the line for Atletico Madrid, in which they won a deserved La Liga title. All action, powerful centre forward, clinical finisher and one of the best outside tips for the title. Scored 36 in 52 games this season. 25-1  with Williamhill.
9. Karim Benzema (France) 65 games 19 goals. Another underrated forward in my book and vital for the success of France. They have a fairly easy group and a chance at a decent run to at least quarter finals. Main man for France and a solid all round player with great finishing skills.  Scored 24 in 52 for Real Madrid this season. 33-1 with Coral.
10. Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) 29 games 9 goals. Pushed to the fore for Belgium after the injury to 1^st choice Benteke. Lukaku is a very strong, direct striker in the Drogba mould. Had a great season at Everton scoring 16 in 33 games. Belgium are fancied to top their group but the goals expectancy there will be low as many tight games expected. 33-1  with Coral
11. Robin Van Persie (Netherlands) 84 games 43 goals. Will be fresher than most as he has missed a fair chunk of English Premiership this seas. on. Still managed 18 goals in 28 games. Is a big price though to win as they have a very tough group indeed with Spain and Chile contesting and then a tough draw onwards. 33-1 with Paddypower.

So here we have the top 11 in the market and the main players in the 2014 World Cup Top Goalscorer. The majority of bookmakers offer 1/4 the odds 1.2.3 but always check 1st when placing each way bets.