StaffThe return of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League might still be a little time away, but that has not stopped people from looking ahead to what may be when the action does return.
The tournament will enter the knockout stages in February, with the first set of fixtures scheduled to take place on the 13th and 14th, as well as the 20th and 21st. The second leg of each tie will take place in March (5th, 6th, 12th and 13th), which will decide which teams will progress from the Round of 16 and play in the quarterfinals.
A number of quality ties have already been scheduled, with the following being created from the draw:
- Copenhagen vs Manchester City
- RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid
- PSG vs Real Sociedad
- Lazio vs Bayern Munich
- PSV vs Borussia Dortmund
- Inter vs Atletico Madrid
- Porto vs Arsenal
- Napoli vs Barcelona
The ties that have been made have provided plenty of stories and intrigue that fans are getting excited about, with some even taking a look at how certain players could perform in them. Specifically, the strikers for each club who have a proven track record when it comes to scoring goals.
The Golden Boot Race
Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé are among the front-runners in the current odds for the UCL 23/24 Golden Boot Award, according to the 32red sports betting site that UK punters have been able to trust and use for football wagering.
The Man City forward has been made the main favorite to win the award at evens, with Bayern Munich’s and PSG’s hitmen priced at 9/4 and 6/1, respectively. Alvaro Morata is priced at 11/1, thus perhaps highlighting the gap between the three main contenders and those that follow behind.
Haaland and Morata both currently sit on five goals apiece following the Group Stage of the competition. Kane is a goal behind on four, whereas Mbappé is on three. While the current figures will have had an influence on the odds, it is also possible to consider the opponents they will each face in the Round of 16.
Will Haaland be the 23/24 UCL Golden Boot winner?
Manchester City have been handed a somewhat friendly tie on paper, although Copenhagen are deserving of their place in the knockout stages. The Danes will make life difficult for the current holders, as they were able to get positive results against Manchester United, Galatasaray, and Bayern.
However, Haaland will be fancying himself to put the ball in the back of the net with as much confidence as the bookies appear to have in him. He could extend his tally over the two games, and then have the opportunity to add more in the next stage of the competition as they are expected to progress.
If he does add more to his tally, then the pressure will be on the likes of Kane, Mbappé and Morata if they are to try and be the Golden Boot winners. Kane will face a tricky task as Bayern face Lazio in the next stage, while PSG’s encounter against Real Sociedad could give the Frenchman a number of potential challenges on the pitch when they meet. Morata may find it difficult to keep up with the Norwegian as his Atletico side will take on Inter in the next stage.
Could anyone else be a dark horse for the award?
Aside from those that have been made the leading favorites to win the UCL 2023/24 Golden Boot Award, some may feel that there could be a dark horse that could do well during the knockout stages.
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham may feel he has a chance as he currently sits on four goals, as does Porto’s Evanilson and Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus. Both Brazilians will square off against each other in the next round, though, so it is unlikely one of the pairing will be in the hunt come the end of the season. The same might be said for Liepzig’s Loïs Openda, who sits on four and faces Bellingham’s Madrid in the next stage
With how competitive and magical the UEFA Champions League can be, and the format of two legs being used for each stage aside from the final, there is every chance that there could be an unforeseen player winning the award.
However, with the same opportunities available to Haaland, it would not be a shock if he added the award to his collection for the second time after winning it when part of the Dortmund team in 2020/21 with 10 goals.
