2009/10 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE TOP SCORER BETTING FROM WILLIAM HILL

The smart money here isn't going to be on Fernando Torres, as having to wait 9 months to get paid out at 9/4 isn't exactly my idea of a value bet. Torres is a quality striker, and is probably the best pure goalscorer in the Premiership at the moment. However, I think he's a bit injury-prone and he will need to play a complete campaign if he's going to top the Premier League goalscoring charts in May. Didier Drogba is the 2nd place favourite with a 15/2 price. I find that's an interesting bet, but he tends to go missing from games and there is also an Africa Cup of Nations happening in 2010. I think missing a month of goals makes Drogba an unlikely candidate to be named top goalscorer. At 15/1 I might be tempted but those odds are a bit too short for me. The big story in this market is Michael Owen. When he was originally unveiled as United's newest signing, his odds were in the 20/1 range alongside Dimitar Berbatov. Now, you'll find Owen at 11/1 and he is considered one of the biggest volume bets of the pre-season. I think if he stays off the treatment table, he's going to be an absolute terror. He has defied expectations during the pre-season Asian Tour and looks good value in my books. Nicolas Anelka is last years winner and 12/1 seems about right. I think he'll score more than Drogba, but I'm not sure just how many goals Chelsea are going to score this year. It's going to be an interesting year for them and I can see it being more transitional than anything else. I will not be backing Anelka to top the goalscorer list this year. Wayne Rooney is going to step it up and have a big year. I can see him getting played in his preferred positions a bit more now that Ronaldo has departed. I think he's a solid bet and will likely notch 20, but I'm not sure if he can get to the 30 mark that would totally do it for him. A few hat-tricks could be on offer and I wouldn't put it past Wazza to make it count when the team really needs it.Robin Van Persie will get the run of the show in Arsenal's forward line this year and at 14/1 he's not a bad bet. Injuries are a concern though and if he misses more than a month I don't think he'll be able to get it done. Emmanuel Adebayor is 18/1 alongside Jermain Defoe, but I don't see Adebayor scoring that many with so much competition for places at City. Jermain Defoe is a solid player, but is not a league-leading goalscorer by any stretch of the imagination. A few other notables include Roque Santa Cruz at 25/1 (undone for reasons similar to Adebayor), Carlos Tevez at 20/1, Eduardo at 25/1 and Federico Macheda at 50/1.