2025-26 Premier League Golden Boot: Writers Split Between Haaland, Salah & a Surprise Challenger
Mohamed Salah finished as the top-flight's top scorer last time around, but can the Egyptian King keep that crown in the coming campaign?

2025-26 Premier League Golden Boot: Writers Split Between Haaland, Salah & a Surprise Challenger

Who Will Win the 2025-26 Premier League Golden Boot? Predictions from Around the Game

The wait is nearly over. After a summer of storylines ranging from Club World Cup controversies to the Lionesses’ European triumph, the Premier League is ready to take centre stage once again. On Friday night, reigning champions Liverpool host Bournemouth to kick off the 2025-26 campaign — and with it, the race for the Premier League Golden Boot.

Every August, before the first ball is kicked, the predictions roll in. Who will lift the trophy? Who’s heading for a relegation dogfight? And — perhaps the most fun question of all — who will score the most goals? The Golden Boot debate always brings strong opinions, and this year is no different.

The usual suspects are back in the conversation — Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah — but there’s also room for a new name: Viktor Gyökeres, the Swedish striker tipped to make an instant impact at Arsenal. Some are even backing Alexander Isak to break the 30-goal barrier if he gets the right move.

Here’s how the predictions are shaping up.


Haaland’s Ruthless Efficiency

Manchester City FC v Al-Hilal: Round Of 16 - FIFA Club World Cup 2025 salah

Manchester City FC v Al-Hilal: Round Of 16 – FIFA Club World Cup 2025 salah

Mark Doyle is in no doubt: if Erling Haaland stays fit, he’ll make it three Golden Boots in four years. While others at Manchester City might rotate, rest, or share the goals, Haaland’s role is crystal clear — get the ball, smash it into the net. The Norwegian’s raw numbers speak for themselves, and in a team that can still create chances in their sleep, that’s a scary thought for defenders.

Doyle does give nods to others — Salah, of course, and Isak, who could thrive regardless of whether he stays at Newcastle or moves to Liverpool — but when it comes to betting the house, Haaland’s the man.


The Reliability of Salah

Liverpool v Athletic Club Bilbao - Pre-Season Friendly Salah

Liverpool v Athletic Club Bilbao – Pre-Season Friendly Salah

For Amee Ruszkai, the conversation starts and ends with Mohamed Salah. She sees Liverpool as favourites to win the league again, and history says that when the Reds are flying, Salah is usually their top scorer. Even with competition from new signings and a more fluid attack under Arne Slot, the Egyptian is as close to a guarantee as you get in football.

The challenge for Salah might come from Haaland’s recovery from injury, but Ruszkai trusts the 33-year-old’s consistency over the unpredictability of others.


Haaland’s Advantage

Richard Martin thinks last season’s struggles will only fuel Haaland’s hunger. The striker himself called it “catastrophic,” and now, with a refreshed supporting cast and a motivated Phil Foden, City’s No.9 is primed to bounce back.

Martin highlights an important edge: unlike Salah, Saka, or Cole Palmer — who play in teams where goals are spread more evenly — Haaland is City’s undisputed finisher. No sharing, no splitting — just one main outlet.


Salah’s to Lose

Stephen Darwin paints the picture simply: if Salah maintains his elite conditioning and hunger, the Golden Boot is his to lose. The winger’s physical preparation is legendary — meticulous nutrition, tailored recovery, obsessive training — all of which help him stay sharp well into his 30s.

Darwin admits there’s a possibility of decline, but given Salah’s track record, it’s safer to expect another 20+ goal season than a sudden drop-off.


Gyökeres vs Haaland

'Race comes down to Gyokeres vs Haaland'

‘Race comes down to Gyokeres vs Haaland

For Tom Maston, the race is between two men — and it’s not Salah. Maston believes Liverpool will spread their goals more evenly this term, which opens the door for Viktor Gyökeres to challenge Haaland.

The Swede’s arrival at Arsenal has given Mikel Arteta a true penalty-box predator. But there’s a key detail: Haaland takes City’s penalties, while Gyökeres will likely have to watch Bukayo Saka step up for Arsenal. In a tight race, those extra spot-kicks could be decisive.


Salah Sharing the Load

Mohamed Salah Liverpool 2025-26

Mohamed Salah Liverpool 2025-26

Sean Walsh circles back to the Salah-Haaland dynamic. He predicts Salah will still score plenty but will have to “share the love” in a Liverpool attack brimming with creative threats. Haaland, on the other hand, will continue to be City’s focal point — and that singularity of role could tilt the race in his favour.


No Doubts Over Gyökeres

James Westwood is bullish on Arsenal’s new man. Gyökeres, he says, has the pace, finishing, and mentality to handle the Premier League’s physicality. He’s proved himself in Europe with Sporting CP and knows English football from his prolific spell at Coventry City.

While Westwood doesn’t predict an Arsenal title win — he still tips Liverpool for that — he thinks Gyökeres will push the Reds closer and could top the scoring charts in his debut season.


The Familiar Rivalry

Erling Haaland Mohamed Salah 2024-25

Erling Haaland Mohamed Salah 2024-25

For Krishan Davis, this season is another round of Salah vs Haaland. He expects Haaland to be strong, but sees City’s slight dysfunction and need for gelling as a potential barrier. Salah, meanwhile, will have the creative genius of Florian Wirtz feeding him, along with a settled system under Slot. That, Davis says, makes the Egyptian “hard to look past.”


The Isak Scenario

Liverpool v Newcastle United - Carabao Cup Final

Liverpool v Newcastle United – Carabao Cup Final

Finally, Joe Strange brings a wildcard into play. If Alexander Isak joins Liverpool, he could explode. Strange believes that playing ahead of Wirtz, Salah, and Dominik Szoboszlai could give the Swede a platform to hit 30 goals — provided he stays injury-free.

If Isak doesn’t make the move, Strange falls back on Haaland to reclaim his crown.


The Verdict

The predictions split fairly evenly between Haaland and Salah, with Gyökeres emerging as the most popular outsider. Isak is the dark horse — his chances hinge entirely on whether he trades St James’ Park for Anfield.

What’s clear is that the 2025-26 Premier League Golden Boot race won’t be a one-horse show. Haaland’s ruthless finishing, Salah’s consistent brilliance, Gyökeres’ fresh firepower, and Isak’s potential all set the stage for one of the most open contests in recent memory.

When the first whistle blows this weekend, the shooting will start — and by May, we’ll see which of these strikers has turned predictions into reality.

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