Premier League Golden Boot Race 2025/26: Who’s Leading the Pack Early On?

The Premier League is back, and with it comes one of the most exciting side stories of the season: the race for the Golden Boot. Every year, the competition for the top scorer is as thrilling as the title chase itself, and this season is shaping up to be no different. We’re barely out of August and already the contenders are making their presence known.

What makes this year particularly intriguing is just how wide open things feel right now. Instead of one or two stars racing ahead, we’ve got a whole bunch of players making early noise. As it stands, there are 14 joint top scorers in the league with two goals apiece. Of course, not all of them are realistic candidates for the Golden Boot, but that just makes the drama more entertaining.

Still, when it comes down to it, the betting markets and fan debates are focusing on the familiar faces, plus a couple of newcomers who could shake things up. Let’s break down the current Top 10 Golden Boot favorites according to the odds—along with their early-season tallies.

1) Erling Haaland (2 goals)

No surprises here. The Norwegian machine is back to reclaim his crown. After “struggling” last year—if you can even call finishing with 27 league goals a struggle—Haaland is again the man to beat. He wasted no time reminding everyone of his threat, bagging a couple on the opening day.

• Why he’s dangerous: Haaland isn’t just a poacher; he’s the focal point of everything Manchester City does. New faces may come into Pep Guardiola’s squad, but the blueprint remains the same: find Haaland, let him finish.

• What’s new: City looks slightly tweaked tactically this year, which could mean even more service into the box. If he stays fit, he’s odds-on to clear 25 goals again.

2) Viktor Gyökeres (2 goals)

Arsenal fans are buzzing about this guy. Could he be the proper No. 9 they’ve been crying out for? The jury is still out, but he’s made an instant splash with two early goals.

• The hype: Gyökeres is physical, smart, and knows how to find space. He brings a different dimension to Arsenal’s attack.

• The concern: He started slowly in big games—look at that muted showing against Man United—but then lit up Leeds with a sharp second-half performance. Consistency is the key here.

3) Mohamed Salah (1 goal)

It feels wrong to ever count Salah out of this race. The Egyptian King already has a Golden Boot collection that would make most strikers jealous, and while Liverpool now have more options to share the goals around, Salah is still going to get chances galore.

• Why he’ll always be in the mix: Even when he’s not the sole focus, Salah racks up shots, penalties, and assists. He thrives on volume.

• Question mark: He faded a little last spring, and some wonder if his absolute peak years are just behind him. Still, writing him off is always a mistake.

4) Hugo Ekitike (2 goals)

Liverpool’s new signing has been an early headline-maker. Two goals in his first few outings have the Kop excited, but the bigger question is whether he’s the type to maintain those numbers across 38 games.

• Fun fact: He’s got one of the best names in the league—a true palindrome star!

• Outlook: He has flair and can score wonder goals, but will he consistently rack up the “easy” ones needed for the Golden Boot? That’s what separates great strikers from highlight-reel players.

5) João Pedro (2 goals)

Chelsea fans barely had time to get to know him before he started making noise. After helping the Blues win the Club World Cup—before even making a league start—Pedro carried that momentum into the Premier League.

• Early impression: A stylish forward with creativity and composure, Pedro looks like he belongs.

• Impact so far: Already off the mark against West Ham, he’s proving Chelsea’s faith wasn’t misplaced. If he stays injury-free, he’s got a shot at the 15–20 goal range.

6) Alexander Isak (0 goals)

Isak is one of those players who feels like a Golden Boot candidate but keeps leaving fans asking “what if?” He has the skillset: tall, fast, technical, and clinical on his day. But there are a couple of complications.

• Big questions: Will he even be staying put at Newcastle, or is a transfer still lurking? And if he stays, how long will it take him to find rhythm while others are already off and running?

• Potential ceiling: If everything clicks, Isak has a 20-goal season in him. But that’s a big “if.”

7) Cole Palmer (0 goals)

Chelsea’s golden boy is carrying massive expectations. Fresh off a Club World Cup win, Palmer is not only Chelsea’s playmaker but also a potential scorer.

• Upside: He’s young, confident, and technically gifted. He doesn’t shy away from big moments.

• But: At the moment, he’s more of a creator than a finisher. To really break into the Golden Boot conversation, he’ll need to start padding those goal stats soon.

8) Benjamin Šeško (0 goals)

Manchester United’s new striker is drawing inevitable comparisons to Robin van Persie, who, fun fact, was the last United player to win the Golden Boot way back in 2013.

• Optimism: He’s tall, fast, and clinical. If United’s midfield finally gets its act together, Šeško could explode.

• Reality check: He’s new to the league, and United’s attack still looks sluggish. Plus, unlike Van Persie, he didn’t just arrive off a 30-goal season. Patience required.

8) Ollie Watkins (0 goals)

Year after year, Watkins is steady. Double figures every season since 2020, a true model of consistency. But here’s the catch: he’s never cracked 20.

• Challenge: This year’s Golden Boot winner will almost certainly need 20+, maybe even 25+. That’s a mountain for someone who maxes out around 15–16.

• Verdict: He’s reliable but unlikely to lift the award. Still, if Aston Villa surprise, Watkins will be at the heart of it.

10) Richarlison (2 goals)

Now here’s a name people didn’t expect. Richarlison came flying out of the gates, scoring twice against Burnley and putting in a strong showing against Manchester City.

• Why it matters: Two weeks ago, his odds of winning the Golden Boot were sky-high. Now? He’s in the mix.

• But: Spurs have depth, with Dominic Solanke waiting in the wings. Can Richarlison lock down that starting spot all season? That’s the big question.

The Bigger Picture

So where does this leave us? Well, here are some exciting takeaways:

• It’s crowded at the top: Fourteen players have already scored two goals. That’s a lot of names, but history tells us only a handful will keep pace once autumn and winter grind in.

• The usual suspect vs. the wildcards: Haaland and Salah are the established stars, while names like Gyökeres, Ekitike, and Pedro are the intriguing challengers.

• Consistency is key: Early fireworks are great, but the Golden Boot is a marathon. Injuries, squad rotation, and form dips will thin the herd by January.

For now, the race feels wide open—and that’s exactly what fans love. Whether you’re rooting for the unstoppable Norwegian, the Arsenal newcomer, or a surprise package, one thing is guaranteed: the Golden Boot chase is going to be just as thrilling as the title fight.