The World Cup Golden Boot favourites change with every game – and betting trends prove that.
Data from Entain reveals that as the tournament has progressed, fans have bet on different attackers for the award. Some of the big favourites to become top scorer before a ball was kicked have been dropping off the list with every matchday, as betters favour more in-form players.
So who's looking like taking home that gong?
Before the tournament
The 2018 Golden Boot winner, sure enough, was fans' favourite to retain his award before the tournament began.
Harry Kane was the punters' pick, especially given his form for Tottenham going into Qatar. Second-favourite according to bets placed was Lionel Messi. Honestly, the UK weren't going for dark horses, were they?
Third on the list? Kylian Mbappe. We get the idea.
Group stage: Matchday 1
So despite getting two assists, Kane didn't actually score in the first match against Iran in a game in which England scored six. Incredibly, the Three Lions skipper dropped out of the top three for bets placed on the Golden Boot, as Lionel Messi jumped up the top spot.
That's somewhat surprising given that Argentina lost their first game but Messi must have done enough to convince betters. After Messi, England's two-goal hero of that opening game, Bukayo Saka, was the second-most bet-on player to scoop the Golden Boot.
Kylian Mbappe was third on the list.
Group stage: Matchday 2
It was perhaps a surprise to even see Richarlison start the World Cup in the No.9 spot but following two strikes in Brazil's opening fixture against Serbia, he became the favourite for those betting for the Golden Boot.
More bets were placed on the Tottenham striker than anyone else during the second matchday – Mbappe, meanwhile jumped into second spot for that award. Olivier Giroud, after two goals against Australia, became third-favourite at this stage.
Group stage: Matchday 3
All about Mbappe from this point. The France ace was unstoppable against Denmark during Matchday 2 so when France rested him for Matchday 3, he became the overwhelming favourite for the Golden Boot ahead of a Poland clash in the next round.
Richarlison was still a big option for many betting on the gong, while Cody Gakpo – after three goals in three games – jumped into third.
Last-16
Another two goals for Mbappe – you won't be surprised to see that the PSG forward became the overwhelming favourite for the Golden Boot by this point.
Again, more bets for the gong went on Mbappe than anyone else at this point in the competition. After a sumptuous performance against Australia, though, Lionel Messi jumped into second.
Richarlison couldn't be written off, either. He became third favourite at this point.
