Why Man United ace Ibrahimovic is overpriced for Prem Golden Boot
Published:
Along with wine and Dad jokes, you can now add Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the list of things which definitely get better with age.
The veteran striker enjoyed his best season yet in front of goal in 2015-16, and has netted 10 goals in his last nine Manchester United games in all competitions. So how is he still 5/1 to be the top Premier League goalscorer this season?
While the 38 goals Ibra netted in Ligue 1 for Paris Saint-Germain last season was the biggest haul of his career – and 17 more than nearest challenger Alexandre Lacazette -, finishing top of the pile was hardly a new experience.
Having now been top league goalscorer in four of the previous five seasons, first with AC Milan and then PSG, the sensational Swede has now netted 152 goals in his last 170 games.
And just in case you had any questions over his fitness, he played 51 times for the French champions last season – the most of any campaign in his career. Oh, and he scored 50 times.
That’s 17 goals more than the two favourites for this season’s Golden Boot – Alexis Sanchez and Diego Costa – managed combined in 2015-16.
With Ibrahimovic now netting seven times in his last six Premier League games, and enjoying excellent service from the superb duo of Paul Pogba and Wayne Rooney, there’s every reason to believe he’ll keep scoring at this rate.
So, what of his challengers for the top scorer crown?
Well, yellow-card hoover (and 5/4) Diego Costa is on good form, but endured a real barren spell last season with just four goals in 14 Prem games. His discipline also remains an issue, with the combative Chelsea man already banned for their Boxing Day fixture.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez has seen his figures massaged by a hat-trick against a dismal West Ham United side, and 4/1 Sergio Aguero is collecting one ban card after another – missing four league games already through suspension.
It also looks a bridge too far for Harry Kane, who heads into Tottenham’s clash with Burnley on just seven goals so far.
That all means the 5/1 for Ibrahimovic to bring home the Golden Boot is a massively generous price – and one we’d recommend backing before our traders take another look at his sensational stats.
Man United are next in action against Sunderland on Boxing Day, with 2/9 for the hosts to enjoy victory at Old Trafford.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
