League 1 Top Goalscorer Odds: Alfie May is the one to beat

The final preparations are underway for the new League 1 season, with all 24 sides gearing up for the start of the new term later this week. We are now in the period where punters scramble to try and calculate where their money is going to go on pre-season bets. 

And while league winner, promotion and relegation are the most popular, top goalscorer is another one that is a favourite among punters. Below I take a look at the current favourites to win the Golden Boot in the third tier this year, as per Betfred's League 1 top goalscorer odds list.

League 1 Odds

Alfie May @ 9/2

We start off with last season's Golden Boot winner Alfie May. He was Charlton Athletic's superstar, having netted 23 goals for the Addicks as they finished the season in 16th. This summer, the 31-year-old joined the Blue revolution at Birmingham City, as the West Midlands side aim for an immediate return to the Championship following their relegation in 2023/24.

May is going to spearhead this League 1 super team that is being assembled, and the Blues' rivals are trembling at the thought of how many goals he can score in this team. He's already shown his talent in pre-season with five goals in six outings, so if that form is consistent in the league, he is on track to register well over 35.

Last year was his first time as the top scorer in the division, but May has consistently delivered 20-plus goals in his three previous campaigns in the third tier, with Charlton and Cheltenham Town. There is no denying that he is going to be surrounded by better technicians at Birmingham, so he could be in for a much more fruitful season in 2024/25.

Betfred are also offering 4/1 on May to score 30+ goals in the league.

Jonson Clarke-Harris @ 8/1

Another previous League 1 Golden Boot winner is Jonson Clarke-Harris, who joined fellow promotion-chasers Rotherham United from Peterborough United over the summer.

The striker claimed the award twice with Posh, in 2020/21 and 2022/23, scoring 31 and 27 goals respectively. The 30-year-old is going to be tasked with producing similar numbers for the Millers this year by boss Steve Evans, and given his pedigree at this level, you cannot write him off.

Clarke-Harris has 107 goals in the third tier in 279 appearances, averaging at 0.38 goals per game. In League 1, you cannot ask for a more consistent goalscorer than him, apart from May, and I think he could be one of the Birmingham man's biggest challengers for the accolade this year.

Football Odds

Paul Mullin @ 14/1

After making his professional acting debut as 'Welshpool', a variant of the character Deadpool in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Deadpool and Wolverine, attention now returns to Wrexham for striker Paul Mullin.

Having consistently scored over 20 league goals in his three campaigns with the Red Dragons at National League and League 2 level, it is no surprise to see the forward being favoured for more goalscoring success in League 1.

Mullin is very much Wrexham's star player and it isn't just because of his goals, but the way he can bring his team mates into play. Phil Parkinson's side are gunning for a third consecutive promotion in 2024/25 and Mullin's goals will be key to that.

He may be stepping up another level but I don't think it matters, he will score goals. The only question is will be able to keep up with the two players above him in this list who have been a regular source of goals in this division for several years?

That remains to be seen, but at 14/1, he might certainly be worth an each-way punt as Betfred are paying five places at 1/5.

Betfred are offering 11/4 on Mullin, Clarke-Harris and May to all score 20+ goals in the league this season.

Dion Charles @ 14/1

Bolton Wanderers striker Dion Charles is yet to pass the 20-goal mark in League 1 for the Trotters, having posted 16 and 17 in the last two seasons respectively. It still doesn't change the fact that he is still one of the best operators in the division, and he will personally want to improve his returns this term so that he can boost his team's chances of promotion.

He was one away from a 20-goal campaign with Accrington Stanley in 2020/21, so he has been consistently knocking on the door. Charles will be hoping that this is the year, especially after witnessing his promotion dreams shattered in the play-offs for two years running.

The Northern Ireland international is a regular starter for the Trotters, and following the arrival of another prolific scorer at this level in Aaron Collins back in January, the hope is the two can develop a strong attacking partnership from which they can both profit.

Like Mullin, I'd say each-way might be the best way to go when backing Charles.

Offers

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