08 January 2019, by: Leonard Solms

BUNDESLIGA GOLDEN BOOT RACE WIDE OPEN

With just three goals separating first from eighth midway through the season, the Bundesliga top scorers’ race is too close to call. Fortunately for punters, this means there is an opportunity to win big for anyone who can predict the outcome.

Robert Lewandowski is rated as the clear favourite, but in this case, the odds are somewhat deceiving. Bayern have not been at their fearsome best this season and the defending champions currently sit six points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund. Likewise, last season’s top scorer trails joint leaders Luka Jović and Paco Alcácer by two goals in the race for the Kicker Torjägerkanone.

At the time of writing, Alcácer is rated as the second favourite. His is an interesting case. Having only joined Borussia Dortmund from Barcelona late in August, he has lit up the Bundesliga with 12 goals from as many appearances. Astonishingly, only five of those have been starts. The Spaniard’s chances of finishing the season as top scorer may depend on whether Lucien Favre continues to use him as a supersub or decides to start counting on him regularly from the offset.

??Germany – Bundesliga Top Scorers
.
1: Luka Jovic (FRA) – 12⚽
2: Paco Alcacer (BVB) – 12⚽
3: Marco Reus (BVB) – 11⚽
4: Timo Werner (RBL) – 11⚽
5: Robert Lewandowski (BAY) – 10⚽ pic.twitter.com/C4wB8l76mI

— Sports Umbrella 24 (@SportsUmb24) December 24, 2018

Eintracht Frankfurt starlet Jović is the third favourite for the top scorers’ prize and currently leads the race alongside Alcácer. The 21-year-old’s 12 goals have come in 15 appearances — 11 of which have been starts. The Serbian frontman looks a real contender for top spot, but his lack of experience may ultimately derail him.

Marco Reus and Timo Werner — two established international footballers — sit level on 11 goals and cannot be counted out. Below Lewandowski, Sébastien Haller, Thorgan Hazard and Alassane Pléa all sit level on nine goals. Perhaps if you’re feeling really brave, even they could possibly be worth a punt.

BET: Bundesliga Top Goalscorer

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Leonard Solms

Leonard Solms is a sports journalist who features regularly on various local and international platforms including ESPN, New Frame, FARPost, Tagged Online and Careers Magazine, as well as this one. He enjoys the occasional bet and the most important tip he can give you is to bet within your means.