It might still be early days in the group stage of the Champions League, but already there have been some outstanding team and individual performances to enjoy, as the leading teams around the continent do battle in their quest to claim the biggest prize in Europe.
Competition in the groups is as fierce as ever this season after the opening two rounds of fixtures, and there are no easy groups, with every match counting towards success or failure in the quest to reach the knockout phase.
In this article we take a closer look at five of the leading scorers who have impressed so far, with their goals providing the vital cutting edge their teams need, if they’re to continue impressing on the continental stage this season.
Romelu Lukaku
Two consecutive wins over Basel and CSKA Moscow have ensured that three-time champions Manchester United have returned to Europe’s elite competition with a bang, in no small part due to the contribution of Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku, who after banging in three goals in those two games is 12/1 with Marathon Bet to take the scoring crown.
The powerful Belgian is in red hot form in the Premier League, too, and shows no signs of slowing with the mecurial talents of Henrikh Mkhitaryan operating in behind him. His injury record is far from spotless, but with few major knocks curtailing his progress in recent years, many are backing Lukaku to take the top scoring trophy this time out.
“My target for the season? I just want to win trophies.”
Fighting talk from @RomeluLukaku9 ? pic.twitter.com/iCngf4DPov
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 27, 2017
Lionel Messi
The Argentine maestro has just fired his team to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and his influence can never be ignored. Barcelona have made an impressive start to their campaign in La Liga, and Lionel Messi is already top of the scoring charts by some distance in Spain.
With two goals in two games in the Champions League so far and at odds of 9/2 to finish as top scorer in the competition, Barca will need Messi to be firing on all cylinders if they are to reach the final and emerge victorious this season in Europe.
Maestro. ?
The greatest of all time is ready for the @ChampionsLeague. #HereToCreate pic.twitter.com/TlUo7vNcdX— Team Messi (@TeamMessi) September 11, 2017
Edinson Cavani
The 30-year-old is the tip of the lance for PSG and although Brazilian superstar Neymar keeps on grabbing the headlines with the French club, for various reasons, it’s Edinson Cavani who is the leading the Champions League scoring charts for his side.
Three goals in the opening two group matches have seen his odds slashed to 8/1 with MrGreen Sports to be top scorer in the competition, and with Cavani in such lethal form in front of goal, PSG are genuinely expected to mount a serious European challenge this season.
31′ GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLL PSG!!! @ECavaniOfficial scores a screamer!!!! 2-0 Paris lead!!! #PSGFCB pic.twitter.com/JKvWZUZFwj
— PSG English (@PSG_English) September 27, 2017
Harry Kane
If Tottenham Hotspur are to make their mark in the Champions League this season, they’ll certainly need the potent scoring form of Harry Kane to continue. Back to back winner of the Premier League Golden Boot, he hasn’t disappointed so far in Europe.
An outstanding contribution of five goals already has Kane leading the scoring charts after just two group games. Odds of 8/1 for him to remain in pole position are perhaps only tempered by his team being considered outsiders to win the competition. The question being posed by many is just how far can Spurs go this season?
Pochettino on Kane…
?️ He has unbelievable skills in front of goal. He has something special. That is why he is one of the best.#UCL pic.twitter.com/stLooW9kCP
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 11, 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo
Success seems to follow in the wake of every step Cristiano Ronaldo takes and Real Madrid have certainly benefitted from that, as back to back Champions League winners. His continued form will be vital if they’re to land a third consecutive title in the competition, and he finished as the competition’s top marksman last season.
Four goals already in two group games and clear favourite to top the scoring charts at 2/1 odds, few would bet against Ronaldo ending the campaign with more silverware, gaining yet more personal glory and helping his club remain the undisputed kings of Europe.
Ronaldo: “I wanted a new challenge [in 2009]. I wanted to win trophies at Real Madrid, break all the records & become a club legend.” ? #UCL pic.twitter.com/aKvo8N4udx
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 9, 2017