Why now’s the time to back Everton man for Golden Boot glory

In four seasons in the Premier League Romelu Lukaku has failed to reach the 20 goals mark. However this time round, he looks primed to do just that and could be the value to top the scoring charts in the process.

With a goal in each of his last two games for the Toffees, he is coming in to a bit of form, with his seasonal tally standing at seven.

The Belgian is five strikes behind Leicester hot-shot Jamie Vardy in the race for the Golden Boot, but that is reflected in the 12/1 on offer for the Merseyside-based man in comparison to the 11/4 on offer for Vardy.

It could however be worth taking the bigger price on the powerhouse surpassing the Foxes man come the end of the season, and it is advisable to do it now, before the odds get any shorter.

With Sergio Aguero missing a chunk of the season through injury, it looks primed for someone like Lukaku or Vardy to come from slightly left-field to top the leaderboard.

The period between now and the New Year could be the making of the former Chelsea man, with a number of games coming up that will have him rubbing his hands with glee.

Matches against Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Norwich, Leicester and Newcastle are all fixtures where the striker will be expected to cause trouble in the penalty area.

That run could bring ample opportunity for the Everton attackers to add to their ‘Goals For’ column, with five of that sextet of teams amongst the leakiest seven defences in the Premier League.

In fact, a trip to St James’ Park on December 26 could provide Lukaku a perfect late Christmas present, with the Toon the most generous of his English opponents throughout his career.

Five goals in six games against the north east outfit is the best return ratio than against any other team on these shores.

Before that game, he has plenty of chances to surpass double figures before we head into 2016.

Bottom club Villa are known for leakiness on the road, shipping an average of more than two goals per game away from Villa Park.

Subsequent opponents Bournemouth have conceded three or more in a quarter of their Premier League fixtures to date, and with injuries decimating the Cherries squad Lukaku and Co could have a field day.

Even Leicester, for all their success this term, have seen Kasper Schmeichel picking the ball out of the back of his net on 20 occasions, more than any other side in top 14 of the division.

Roberto Martinez’s men can be expected to bag plenty of goals between now and Christmas if the records of their opponents are to be believed, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Lukaku will be at the centre of things.

Deliver the goals we expect, and that 12/1 won’t be around for much longer, making a punt now look all the more tempting.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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