From Haaland to Watkins: List of Premier League golden boot contenders

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Erling Haaland will begin the 2026-27 Premier League season as the leading contender for the Golden Boot, but several of the division’s top forwards will be hoping to challenge the Manchester City striker.

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Haaland scored 27 league goals last season and has won the award three times in his four Premier League campaigns. He is again the clear favourite ahead of the new season.

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Here are some of the leading contenders according to a list compiled by BBC Sport on Tuesday

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Erling Haaland – Manchester City

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Haaland remains the man to beat. His goalscoring record since arriving in England has been extraordinary, and he will be looking to claim the Golden Boot for a fourth time.

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A new manager in Enzo Maresca could bring some tactical changes at City, but Haaland is still expected to be their main source of goals.

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Alexander Isak – Liverpool

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Isak is among the strongest challengers to Haaland. The Liverpool striker has already demonstrated his ability to score heavily in the Premier League and will be expected to play a major role in his side’s attack.

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His form and fitness will be key after an injury-hit campaign.

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Igor Thiago – Brentford

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Thiago announced himself as a serious goalscorer last season by scoring 22 Premier League goals, finishing second behind Haaland.

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The Brazilian will now be under pressure to show that his tally was not a one-season wonder.

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Viktor Gyokeres – Arsenal

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Gyokeres scored 14 league goals in his first Premier League campaign with Arsenal.

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With a full season of experience in English football behind him, the Sweden international will hope to improve significantly on that tally and challenge for the Golden Boot.

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Joao Pedro – Chelsea

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Joao Pedro is another contender after scoring 15 league goals last season.

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The Chelsea forward could benefit from playing in an attacking side under Xabi Alonso and will be hoping to take another step forward in his goalscoring numbers.

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Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa

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Watkins has consistently produced goals for Aston Villa and remains one of the Premier League’s most reliable forwards.

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He scored 12 league goals last season and will need a significant improvement to enter serious Golden Boot contention.

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Benjamin Sesko – Manchester United

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Sesko could emerge as an outside contender if he can maintain his strong goalscoring form over a full season.

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The Manchester United striker has the physical qualities and finishing ability to produce a big campaign, while greater consistency could put him among the league’s leading scorers.

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Others to watch

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Players including Dominic Solanke, Antoine Semenyo and Morgan Gibbs-White could also enter the conversation if they enjoy prolific campaigns. Recent rankings have identified a wide group of potential challengers to Haaland.

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With Haaland chasing another Golden Boot and several forwards capable of scoring 20 or more goals, the race for the Premier League’s top-scorer award promises to be one of the major storylines of the 2026-27 season.

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