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Going into any competition there are always a number of different bets that can be made. Aside from the obvious examples of betting on the eventual winner there is the opportunity to put money on who will win their groups, who will make the final and which player will be the highest goalscorer of the tournament. For Euro 2008, the top goalscorer is likely to be a close run thing.

 

According to Blue Square the accolade will be fought for between two of the brightest imports into the Premier League. Christiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres, both at 9/1, lead the way, closely followed by the German marksman Miroslav Klose at 10/1. After that the likes of Villa, van Nistelrooy, and Toni lead the chasing pack, all at 16/1.

 

Ronaldo’s place at the top of this chart bears some consideration. After the free-scoring season he has enjoyed in the Premier League it is not surprising that he is put right up there. His position at the top of the charts, however, should be tempered by the questions that remain over his big game temperament, questions that Man Utd fans will be hoping he can answer in Moscow next Wednesday.

 

One of the great advantages for Ronaldo going into the European Championships is that Portugal, like Manchester United, have a relative lack of riches when it comes to out and out goalscorers. Part of United’s strength is their pace and the changing point of their attack as their front men rotate across the park. Portugal have the possibility to play similarly, though they will obviously not have had the same time to gel and practice as United have.

 

Torres is a more conventional shot for winning the golden boot. An out and out front man, he is blessed with pace, an eye for goal, a desire to work hard and a talent in the air that belies his relatively slender frame. At the forefront of a Spanish team that has the likes of Xavi and Iniesta supplying the bullets, Torres should get the opportunity to score goals in Austria and Switzerland.

 

Klose’s position near the top of the charts is no doubt partially due to Germany being the favourites for the title. The man who topped the goalscoring table in South Korea and came pretty close when it came to the last World Cup on home soil is slightly past his best, but he is an outstanding finisher, and if the Germans can get the ball to him in space in the box then there are few people more likely to put it away.

 

For those who enjoy football betting the top goalscorer prize offers something a bit different, and more opportunities to enjoy a significant win. Forwards tend to appear from the woodwork and make an impact on the charts, particularly if it is a low scoring tournament - and there is no reason to assume that this summer’s tournament will not be mostly tight, tactical affairs. I like the possibility of Quaresma scoring a hatful this summer as defenders give him too much space when they try to cut Ronaldo out of the game. With these things, though, it’s almost impossible to predict how they’ll go.

 

Sports Betting odds courtesy of Blue Square.