Raheem Sterling Golden Boot Betting Odds
Week three in the 2023/24 Premier League was action packed. There were sendings off, other red cards which should have been given but weren’t and a 93rd minute winning goal. That was just Liverpool’s win at Newcastle too.
But if the 10-man Reds coming from behind to win at St James’ Park was weird, even stranger things occurred in west London. Believe it or not, Chelsea won a game relatively easily.
When the entire opposition squad costs less than some unknown lad you’ve randomly bought, that’s to be expected. Any victory should not be taken for granted at a club which has more transfer buys than wins under its current ownership though.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 05: Raheem Sterling of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Stamford Bridge on October 05, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
The key man in the Blues’ 3-0 victory over Luton Town was Raheem Sterling. He scored the opening two goals, then set up Nicolas Jackson for his first for his new club (though it was only a Fantasy Football assist for Sterling, not an Opta one, just so you know). The contributions meant that the England international’s strong start to the campaign has finally been rewarded with some tangible output.
In these early days of the 2023/24 season, Sterling is among the top 10 Premier League players for all kinds of metrics like successful take-ons as well as carries, crosses and passes into the penalty area. We’re here for goals though, and the 28-year-old delivered two of them. As he’s only one off the early pace for leading scorer, could Sterling be a good each-way shout for the Golden Boot? Let’s consider the evidence, both short and long-term.
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest
Chelsea host Nottingham Forest this weekend and while Steve Cooper’s side have performed admirably in losing at Arsenal and Manchester United already this season, there are few better sides for Sterling to face when looking to maintain his good form.
In 2023/24, Forest kept a clean sheet in just two of their 19 away league matches – only Leeds and Wolves managed fewer – and their record becomes two from 21 if we tack on the start of this season.
Away to the Premier League’s established big six clubs, which Chelsea remain a member of in transfer spend if not league position, Forest took a single point last term. Granted, it was at Stamford Bridge, but the match ended 2-2, so from a Sterling goals perspective that’s still a potentially favourable outcome.
Most importantly, only four teams allowed more Opta-defined clear-cut chances on the road last season, and they were no-hopers like Everton, Leeds and Liverpool. The Blues should be able to fashion some decent opportunities on Saturday afternoon.
Sterling will be under 2/1 to score any time, and should be among the shorter prices to open the scoring. He’s been Chelsea’s top man for both options in the league since he joined the club – though the insane player turnover helps – so either looks a decent selection for the match.
Golden Boot Betting Odds
Chelsea’s number seven is a 25/1 shot to be the Premier League’s top goal scorer this season. While few people expect him to overhaul Haaland, a top three spot isn’t out of the question and would get you 6.25/1 as an each-way bet. He’s been close before. Sterling was the fourth-placed top scorer in 2019/20 thanks to the 20 goals he accumulated. The season before he was joint-sixth, with 17, while 12 months prior to that he finished fifth with 18.
There’s an obvious problem here – 2023 Chelsea are not Centurion-era Manchester City, clearly. But they have a top manager at the helm and no tiring European football to worry about, which should leave Sterling a little fresher when some of his rivals droop in the new year.
And the times they are a-changing.
Of the players who bagged more goals than Sterling in any of the three aforementioned seasons, only Mohamed Salah and Danny Ings (no, really) are still plying their trade in the Premier League.
Haaland might be the clear 4/11 favourite, but Raheem should have little to fear from the two players between himself and the Norwegian in the market. Salah (11/1) provides more assists than goals these days while Darwin Nunez (20/1) must deliver far more frequently to prove his erratic days are behind him.
Sterling’s Golden Boot quest might kick on with the match against Nottingham Forest too. If you think he stands a chance of being among the top scorers in May, now is probably the time to have a flutter.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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