Al Hain-Cole thinks the Liverpool striker’s productive partnership with Daniel Sturridge will give him the edge to finish top scorer over his isolated Manchester United counterpart
Despite scooping the Premier League’s Golden Boot award for each of the past two seasons, Robin van Persie’s form so far this campaign suggests he may struggle to make it a hat-trick.
While still have the Manchester United striker down as joint 9/2 (5.50) favourite to finish as top scorer, his lack of service in the last few fixtures have lent weight to rumours of his unhappiness with new manager David Moyes’ methods.
The Netherlands international has often looked isolated and frustrated under the new regime, with his only league goals from open play coming on the first day of the season, and while he is capable of creating opportunities for himself, this will probably not be enough to see him outscore the top flight‘s other elite attackers.
Having already equalled van Persie’s tally of three goals within the space of just two matches since returning from suspension, Luis Suarez offers far better value for those same 9/2 (5.50) odds.
In fact, despite missing nine Premier League games through suspension, the Uruguayan’s return of 13 league goals this calendar year leaves him trailing the former Arsenal striker by just a single strike, and his position at the hub of a creative Liverpool attack means he is worth backing now before his price drops any lower.
Suarez’s record of 19 goals in his last 22 games for Brendan Rodgers’ side is mirrored by that of team-mate Daniel Sturridge, and the pair’s promising partnership will only help each other add to that tally.
Considering the England striker currently boasts an unparalleled six goals to his name in seven games, odds of 7/1 (8.00) seem extremely generous on him finishing top of the pile come the end of the season, and could well be worth a smaller stake.
Nobody has scored more Premier League goals in 2013 than Christian Benteke, and while injury interrupted his prolific start to the season, he is now expected to return to fitness ahead of schedule and add to the four goals he has already plundered in just five games.
With the big Belgian set to return soon after the international break, odds of 20/1 (21.00) offer tantalising value for those after a longer shot.
Compatriot Romelu Lukaku has already hit the back of the net four times in just three appearances for loan club Everton, and having scored 17 times in just 20 starts during a similar spell at West Brom last year, he also represents a temping proposition at 14/1 (15.00).
With plenty of creativity behind them, Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud 9/1 (10.00) and Sergio Aguero 13/2 (7.50) are sure to be among the goals, but considering the two combined only just matched Suarez’s tally last season, it may be asking a bit much for them to outdo him this campaign.
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Al Hain-Cole is an experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.
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