Sturridge the best bet as top-scorer race takes shape

There are 10 players in the Premier League who have already netted four goals, but Daniel Sturridge has carved out a lead at the top of the rankings with seven in eight games so far.

Despite this prolific start Sturridge is not favourite to finish the year as top scorer and his odds of 6/1 look disarmingly generous.

Ahead of the England international in the betting are Robin van Persie at 4/1 and Sergio Aguero at 5/1, with his team-mate Luis Suarez also available at 6/1.

Van Persie and Aguero are set to be Sturridge’s main competition, with all three finding the net this weekend, but the Liverpool player is the best bet of the trio to top the charts.

Of the three, Sturridge is the man with fewest concerns about rotation, as he has neither substantial competition for his place or European football to worry about.

Aguero will rotate with Stevan Jovetic, Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo in Manchester City’s line-up and with Manuel Pellegrini set to focus on the Champions League, the Argentine could be saved for European action.

Van Persie is unlikely to be rotated by David Moyes, but has already had injury problems this season and a full campaign at home and abroad could take its toll.

It is also true that this Manchester United side does not yet look the equal of either the team they put out last season, or that of Arsenal’s during the Dutchman’s final year at the Emirates, which might restrict his scoring opportunities.

In a Liverpool team with few distractions, supplied by Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Victor Moses, Sturridge’s well is unlikely to run dry, and his early form has pointed to that.

The 24-year-old has scored in all but one of Liverpool’s league games, following on from the ten goals in 14 games he bagged for the Reds at the end of last season.

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

Bet Now. New customers can bet £10 and get £30 in free bets