Liverpool star Suarez stands out in the Olympics top goalscorer market
Published:As a reflection of their status as 6/4 gold medal favourites and to pay homage to the conveyor belt of attacking talent at coach Mano Menezes’ disposal, Brazilian forwards dominate the Olympic Men’s top goalscorer market.
The most high-profile of the lot, Neymar, is the overall market leader at 11/2 but they also provide a joint-second favourite in Chelsea target Hulk at 8/1, the next in line with Alexandre Pato at 9/1 and another of the top eight with Leandro 16/1.
Given Spain’s recent international tournament expertise, it is no surprise to see Atletico Madrid’s Adrian Lopez feature prominently at 8/1 to enjoy another productive summer having top scored at the 2011 European Under-21 Championship.
However, much as the team themselves appear slightly underestimated at 7/1, Uruguay’s front men can be found at the most attractive prices, with Napoli’s Edinson Cavani 9/1, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez 10/1 and Palermo’s Abel Hernandez is 25/1.
Like Spain, Uruguay have proven their appetite for the grand stage by reaching the World Cup semi-finals and winning the Copa America and the coach behind both successes, Oscar Tabarez, engineers this latest campaign.
A striker shone on both occasions, Diego Forlan grabbing five at the World Cup and Suarez four in the Copa America. As the most internationally prolific of the options at their disposal this year, Suarez looks the outstanding candidate.
The Olympic Men’s top goalscorer is usually fairly established – Giuseppe Rossi in 2008, Carlos Tevez in 2004, Ivan Zamorano in 2000 and Hernan Crespo and Bebeto in 1996 – so you shouldn’t be too vulnerable to a nobody emerging to take the prize.
Another trend to glean from that list of goal-grabbers is that four hailed from South America, even though only two of the editions in question were actually won by one of the CONMEBOL entrants.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
