Open Race for the Serie A Golden Boot 2026/2027
The 2026/2027 season in the Italian Serie A kicked off last weekend, and the race for the Golden Boot looks considerably more open than in the other major leagues. It is not unusual for a relatively low goal tally to be enough to win the scoring title in Italy. For example, 17 goals were enough for Lautaro Martínez to finish as top scorer last season, and the Inter captain was also the favourite heading into the new campaign. But already after the opening round, another player has taken over as the favourite.Donyell Malen scored a hat-trick as Roma defeated Fiorentina 4-0, continuing exactly where he left off last season, when he scored 14 goals in just 18 Serie A appearances following his January move to Rome from Aston Villa. Behind him, however, there are several interesting candidates, particularly from Inter, Milan, Napoli and Como. Here we rank the ten players we believe have the best chance of winning the Serie A Golden Boot in 2026/2027. The average odds we present are approximate and current, but they can naturally change quickly during the season.
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1. Donyell Malen, Roma
Dutchman Donyell Malen has quickly developed into one of Serie A's most dangerous goalscorers. He scored 14 goals in 18 league appearances after moving to Roma in January and began the new season with a hat-trick against Fiorentina. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, he is being used more as a central striker than a winger, which appears to suit him perfectly. If he continues anywhere near the same scoring rate, he is a very strong candidate for the Golden Boot.Approximate average odds: 3.00
2. Lautaro Martínez, Inter
Lautaro Martínez won the Golden Boot last season with 17 goals and has now finished as capocannoniere, as Italy's top scorer is known, twice during his time at Inter. He remains the captain and leading goalscorer for the reigning champions, making him perhaps the safest candidate over the course of a full season. The fact that he has yet to score after the opening round has caused his odds to drift, but the season is long and his proven level makes him Malen's main challenger.Approximate average odds: 7.50
3. Gonçalo Ramos, Milan
Milan spent heavily on Gonçalo Ramos this summer, paying around 74 million to sign the Portuguese striker from Paris Saint-Germain. Ramos is a classic central number nine and the plan is clear: he is expected to be the main goalscorer in Rúben Amorim's new Milan. He scored only six league goals for PSG last season, but he was not always a starter, and with a more central role and hopefully greater trust at Milan, his goal output could increase significantly.Approximate average odds: 12.50
4. Anastasios Douvikas, Como
Anastasios Douvikas may be the most unexpected name among the leading favourites, but the Greek striker's numbers explain why he is ranked so highly. He scored 14 goals for Como last season as the team finished a sensational fourth, and he also found the net in the opening game against Udinese. Cesc Fàbregas' side plays attacking football and creates plenty of chances, while Douvikas is a natural finisher. Como will, however, play in the Champions League this season, which could lead to more rotation, but if he continues to start regularly he could very well reach 15-20 goals.Approximate average odds: 15.00
5. Moise Kean, Fiorentina
Moise Kean had a clearly weaker season last year and finished with eight Serie A goals after his considerably stronger 2024/2025 campaign. The ability is therefore certainly there, but at the moment his future is uncertain. Como are reportedly trying to sign him from Fiorentina, and such a move could give him an interesting role in an attacking team, perhaps at the expense of the aforementioned Douvikas. Regardless of which club he plays for, Kean needs to rediscover his efficiency in front of goal to seriously challenge for the scoring title.Approximate average odds: 16.00
6. Rasmus Højlund, Napoli
Rasmus Højlund scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 33 Serie A appearances during his first season back in Italy following his move from Manchester United. Those are respectable numbers, but the Dane definitely has the potential to increase his goal output further. Napoli finished second last season and should once again be among the leading teams, which means plenty of goalscoring opportunities. If Højlund can take a step from 12 goals to around 18-20, he will become a serious contender.Approximate average odds: 16.00
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7. Francesco Pio Esposito, Inter
Francesco Pio Esposito is one of the most exciting young names in Italian football. He scored seven Serie A goals for Inter last season despite starting only 15 matches, and he also made a perfect start to 2026/2027 by scoring in the 4-1 win over Monza. Competition from Lautaro and Marcus Thuram is understandably tough, but if the 21-year-old is given more starts, his goal output could increase very quickly.Approximate average odds: 17.00
8. Marcus Thuram, Inter
The third Inter player on this list is Marcus Thuram. He is more established than Esposito and scored 13 league goals while also providing six assists last season. The Frenchman is an important part of Inter's attack and has now scored at least 13 league goals in three consecutive seasons. The problem from a Golden Boot perspective is that he shares goalscoring opportunities with Lautaro and Esposito and is normally not the team's penalty taker. His consistency still makes him an obvious candidate for the list.Approximate average odds: 17.00
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9. Randal Kolo Muani, Juventus
Juventus have brought Randal Kolo Muani back permanently from PSG for around 38 million, with the plan being for him to replace Dusan Vlahovic, who has left the club for Turkish side Besiktas. The Frenchman previously scored ten goals in 22 matches during his first spell at Juventus, but he is coming off a poor season with Tottenham. His performance in the opening game against Frosinone was not particularly convincing either, and Luciano Spalletti has already demanded more from him. He certainly has plenty of potential, but his form needs to improve quickly.Approximate average odds: 22.00
10. Gianluca Scamacca, Atalanta
Gianluca Scamacca completes our top 10. The tall Italian scored ten league goals for Atalanta last season despite starting only 16 matches. He ranked third in the league for goals per minute among the leading players in the scoring charts, showing that he certainly has goals in him. His career has been disrupted by injury problems and competition in Atalanta's attack is tough, but if Scamacca stays fit and earns a regular starting place, he has the ability to score significantly more than ten goals.Approximate average odds: 25.00