Chase for the Golden Boot

As the Premier League enters the final month, the race for the Golden Boot is heating up.

With as many as four players in the running to claim the award come the end of the season, we take a look at each of their chances at covering themselves in some personal glory. 

[tps_title]Charlie Austin (QPR) – 17 goals[/tps_title]

The one bright spot in an otherwise poor campaign for the Hoops is the form of Charlie Austin. He has shown he can play at this level, scoring a respectable 15 times for the struggling side, including goals home and away against Arsenal.

The goals have dried up for Austin since the turn of the year, with just five in his last 14 appearances.

What he has left: Liverpool (A), Man City (A), Newcastle (H), Leicester (A)

Chances: Highly unlikely given the tough run of games Rangers have, but should be proud to still be in contention at this stage of the season.

[tps_title]Diego Costa (Chelsea) 19 goals[/tps_title]

Intriguing battle between the league’s joint top scorers, Kane went top of the charts with a hat-trick against Leicester City on Saturday then Costa responded 24 hours later against Hull City to move level with the Englishman.

Costa has put a recent drought behind him to score two in two, while it’s five in three for Kane.

What Costa has left: Leicester (A), Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (H), West Brom (A), Sunderland (H)

Chances: There was a time when it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Diego Costa would win the Golden Boot, but a dip in form and a hamstring injury has thwarted his efforts. Harry Kane seems to be in better form, and Sergio Aguero’s sudden blitz of goals may just leave him at number three come the end of the year.

[tps_title]Harry Kane (Tottenham) – 20 goals[/tps_title]

Harry Kane’s last minute goal against Newcastle, following up his hattrick against Leicester a few weeks prior, has put him above Chelsea’s Diego Costa and one goal behind the leading goalscorer, Aguero. The English youngster has been a surprise package and has rightfully bagged the PFA Young Player of the Year, but with four matches left, he will want to add a Golden Boot to that collection of personal accolades.

What Kane has left:  Man City (H), Stoke (A), Hull (H), Everton (A)

Chances: With the injury to Diego Costa, his only real competition is Sergio Aguero. The Argentine is in hot form, but Tottenham’s fixture list presents him with enough oppurtunities to pip his rival to the top spot, including a match at home against the reigning Champions.

[tps_title]Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) – 21 goals[/tps_title]

The Argentine has led the charge for City this season but his 21 strikes don’t appear to be enough in their bid to retain the Premier League title.

He looked nailed on to be top scorer after starting the campaign with three in his first four games, but injuries seemed to have dented his hopes of claiming his first Golden Boot title since moving to Manchester. But a recent revival in his goal scoring form has put him in the driving seat yet again with four matches to play. His brace against local rivals Manchester United saw him reach 100 goals for City and that is a remarkable feat in itself. He added to that with goals against West Ham United and Aston Villa.

What he has left:  Tottenham (A), QPR (H), Swansea (A), Southampton (H)

Chances: Chelsea have all but secured the title, but the Argentine can try and secure this personal milestone as he looks like the hot favourite on current form.