With friendly matches starting, the English Premier League season will soon be underway. The top goalscorer is a coveted achievement many players strive for in the world’s most respected league. Bookmakers have Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney and Chelsea’s Didier Drogba leading the way in the odds. It makes sense. The two were the main strikers for two of the best clubs last season, which also scored the most goals.

Chelsea led the league in scoring easily with 103 goals, 17 more than Manchester United. Drogba played in 32 matches and netted 29 of them, giving him an outstanding strike rate of 90%. Rooney scored 26 goals last season in 32 matches with a strike rate of 81%. Rooney carried Manchester United more than Drogba carried Chelsea, but Drogba hit the net more since he was surrounded by a better supporting cast. That should change this season as Manchester United added some great talent. A key component to being the top scorer is minutes played. The more a player stays healthy and competes in every game, the more likely he is to nab the most goals. Not only do injuries play a factor, but suspensions are also detrimental. Rooney has quite a temper in compromising situations, so that will play a factor.

Fernando Torres of Liverpool is another player who hit a 90% strike rate last season. Torres scored 18 times in only 22 matches because of an injury. He appears to be recovered following the World Cup in South Africa so he should be another good option for top goalscorer with new manager Roy Hodgson. If he plays enough games, Torres can challenge Drogba for scoring supremacy. Other players to keep in mind are Robin Van Persie of Arsenal, Carlos Tevez of Manchester City, Darren Bent of Sunderland and Jermain Defoe of Tottenham Hotspur. But, there is little to warrant betting outside the top three of Drogba, Rooney and Torres since they are the main strikers on three of the best teams and have little competition from their teammates for shots on goal.

Premier League Top Goalscorer Odds (provided by Eurobet)

Wayne Rooney: 5/1

Didier Drogba: 11/2

Fernando Torres: 7/1

Carlos Tevez: 11/1

Robert Van Persie: 11/1

Darren Bent: 14/1

Nicolas Anelka: 14/1

Jermain Defoe: 16/1

Frank Lampard: 22/1

Andrey Arshavin: 25/1

Marouane Chamakh: 25/1