Written by Bradley Gibbs.
We’re still very early on in the 2025/26 Premier League season, though the race for the Golden Boot may be over already, with Man City’s Erling Haaland starting the campaign in red-hot form, scoring six goals, establishing a comfortable lead ahead of the chasing pack.
Of course, things can change. Haaland could pick up a knock, which would give others a genuine chance to catch up, but if the Norwegians remain fit, he’s going to be very hard to outscore, as the early betting market suggests. Right now, he’s as short as 4/7 to finish the campaign as the leading scorer.
However, all is not lost if you’re looking for a decent top-scorer bet. With most firms offering four places, and with Haaland being such a short-priced favourite, there may just be some each-way value on offer. In fact, I think there definitely is.
Here are three big-priced players worth following each-way in the top-scorer betting:
Hugo Ekitike @ 25/1 (each way, 4 places)
French forward Hugo Ekitike is currently six games into his first ever Premier League campaign having joined Liverpool in the summer, but despite lacking experience, it’s already clear to see that he has the tools to be a success in front of goal on British shores, scoring three times already.
Playing for a team that will dominate nearly every single game, the fast, physical and direct forward is not going to be starved of chances, that’s for sure, and based on what we’ve already seen from him, and what he showed in the Bundesliga last season, he should have no problem satisfying his rather clear appetite for goals.
Last season Liverpool created more than any other team in the league, producing a league-high xG total of 82.2. A similar team effort this time around should see the 23-year-old thrive.
Jean-Philippe Mateta @ 50/1 (each way, 4 places)
Jean-Phillippe Mateta had a hugely fruitful campaign for Crystal Palace last season, and I see no reason why the striker cannot deliver something similar (or better) this term. I also see no real reason as to why he should be as big 50/1 in the betting here.
Sure, the sale of Eberechi Eze means that the Eagles lost some creativity, but Ismailla Sarr has the quality to provide Mateta with chances, as do the likes of marauding full back Daniel Munoz and tricky winger/forward Yeremy Pino. Mateta is also adept at scoring from set plays, so don’t expect his rate of goals to drop this season.
After all, Oliver Glasner’s men have started well, creating plenty over the first six games, delivering the third-highest amount of expected goals in the league, which has allowed the Frenchman, who finished last season as the seventh best player in the league for expected goals, to get off to a decent start, scoring twice.
He bagged 14 during the previous campaign, and it won’t take much more for him to position himself highly on the top-scorer list this season.
Evanilson @ 100/1 (each way, 4 places)
At 100/1, I can’t ignore Bournemouth’s Evanilson. We know that under Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth are going to have lots of games where they create an awful lot, we saw this plenty last season and we’ve already seen no shortage of evidence of it already this season.
Evanilson scored ten goals in the league last season, which for a striker is a fair effort without being amazing. To get into the top four in the scorer standings, he’ll need to improve on that, but I really wouldn’t bet against him doing that, especially as he now very much looks like the Cherries’ regular focal point.
Last term, the Brazilian forward, who has already taken the fifth-most shots in the league this term, ranked as the ninth best Premier League player in terms of expected goals per 90, and with that first-season effort under his belt, I can see the 25-year-old scoring plenty this time around.
If you’re interested in betting on one of the bigger-priced top-scorer candidates, then be sure to check out the best odds from the list of best football betting sites at FIRST.
