1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Erling Haaland remains the favourite for the Premier League Golden Ball this season despite losing manager Pep Guardiola and influential midfield teammate Rodri.

He ended last term as the league's leading scorer with 27 goals in 35 games for a total of 38 goals in 52 matches in all competitions - five goals clear of closest challenger Igor Thiago.

His run of three straight seasons as top-goal scorer was only interrupted by Mohamed Salah's exceptional 2024/25 campaign as the Reds won their second recent Premier League title.

Even then he only lost out by five goals, scoring 22 times. In the 2023/24 campaign Haaland managed 27 and his first season with City he accumulated 36 goals in only 35 appearances.

The Norwegian's strong showing at the World Cup, where he netted seven goals in just five appearances, before a quarter-final defeat to England, also makes him the leading candidate to pick up where he left off last season.

2. Alexander Isak (Liverpool)

Despite finding the back of the net just three times in 14 Premier League appearances in his first campaign for Liverpool, the 26-year-old Swedish striker is tipped to be a serious contender for the Golden Boot.

He was signed from Newcastle in a big money move after two free-scoring campaigns where he twice scored more than 20 goals for the Tynesiders. He ultimately made his mark 62 times in 109 games.

After battling for fitness in the opening weeks of the season, a leg injury against Tottenham further compounded his struggles and he never really got going in a difficult season for former manager Arne Slot, whose side ended in a disappointing fifth place.

At just 26-year-old, Isak is certainly still in his prime, and he has been looking fresh and lively in pre-season, with new man Andoni Iraola at the helm.

3. Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal)

Viktor Gyokeres had his doubters, but he made a massive impact in his first season for Arsenal, as they won the Premier League for the first time since the 2003/04 season.

He bagged 14 Premier League goals and 21 in total after signing from Sporting Lisbon, where his numbers speak for themselves.

The Sweden international scored an impressive 39 league goals in 33 games and 54 in total the season before to prompt the Gunners to secure his signature.

At Sporting, he found the target 97 times in 102 games over just two seasons.

If Arsenal can maintain the same dominance they enjoyed last season, then you can expect Gyokeres to reach past the 20-goal mark this time around.

4. Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United)

Benjamin Sesko might not be to everyone's taste, but his consistent goalscoring form over the past four seasons across the Bundesliga and the Premier League, make him an outside bet for this list.

The 23-year-old was brought in to complement an exciting front three consisting of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo and despite some early season form, he grew into the role.

After just two goals in his first 17 appearances, fans were writing the player off, but he responded after Christman with six goals in seven appearances.

Over the past two seasons the Slovenia international has in fact scored the most goals of any player under the age of 23 in Europe's top five leagues.

After scoring 14, 14 and 13 goals over three campaigns for RB Leipzig, he netted 11 goals in 30 matches in his debut season for United and from only 17 starts

Sesko also has 41 international caps and 16 goals for Slovenia since becoming his country's youngest-ever debutant in 2021.

5. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Ollie Watkins is another consistent Premier League goalscorer and netted 16 top-flight goals in his last two season with Aston Villa.

He is expected to improve on that form with a higher goal-tally for a very competitive Villa side this season. The club have strengthened in all areas this season but opted not to add further striking reinforcements.

Under Unai Emery the club reached the Champions League twice before winning the Europa League.

Watkins contributed with five Europa League goals and netted in the semi-finals against Nottingham Forest.

All in all, the England attacker has 108 goals and 47 assists in 278 games for the Villans.

Steve Barker in awe of current Stellenbosch squad