Erling Haaland vs Viktor Gyökeres: Who Wins the PL Golden Boot?

It is that time of year again when predictions start flying, and this time, the Premier League Golden Boot race could have a fresh twist. On one hand, you’ve got the familiar world-class goal-scoring machine in Erling Haaland, and on the other, a rising powerhouse in Viktor Gyökeres, who’s taken Europe by storm.

Haaland Still the Man To Beat

There is no denying it, Haaland’s numbers speak for themselves. Since arriving at Manchester City in 2022, he has done exactly what he was brought in to do: score goals by the bucketload. His debut season saw him smash the league record with 36 goals and win a treble, followed by 27 the next year, despite City slightly tweaking their setup. In two full seasons, he’s already joined the elite ranks of Shearer and Henry, both of whom won three consecutive Golden Boots.

Last season, however, things didn’t quite go to plan. An ankle injury kept him out for about six weeks, and that dip in game time naturally affected his numbers. He still managed 22 league goals, which is impressive considering the missed matches, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Salah’s 29 and Isak’s 23.

Still, most bookmakers haven’t lost faith. He’s already back at the top of the odds list to win the 2025–26 Golden Boot, and if he stays fit, you wouldn’t want to bet against him. City’s system is made for Haaland. He doesn’t have to chase the game, the chances come to him. His movement, timing, and raw finishing ability make him a nightmare for defenders. With Pep Guardiola still in charge, he’ll get all the service he needs.

The New Threat On the Block

While Haaland’s been one of the best in England and the world, Gyökeres has become one of the most clinical strikers in Europe. Playing for Sporting CP, he had a tremendous  2024–25 campaign, scoring 39 goals in just 33 league games. That is a better goal-per-game ratio than almost anyone in Europe.

Gyökeres brings a full package who has strength, pace, clever link-up play, and a devastating right foot. He’s been compared to the likes of Benzema and Lewandowski, and there’s a reason why Arsenal have spent over £64 million to bring him to the Premier League as the deal is reportedly imminent. This will change the entire complexion of the Golden Boot race.

Let’s be real: Moving from Portugal’s Primeira Liga to the Premier League is a big step up. Defenders are stronger, tactics are tighter, and the pressure is relentless. The question isn’t whether Gyökeres can score in England—he absolutely can—it’s how quickly he can adapt to the demands of a tougher league.

Comparing the Styles: Two Different Beasts

Haaland: The Relentless Finisher

Haaland is what you would call a classic goal-scorer always in the right place, always hungry. His movement is elite, and in City’s ultra-chance creating system, he only needs a few chances to do serious damage. His shot conversion rate has been among the best in Europe, and he’s already scored six hat-tricks in the Premier League. That tells you everything about his killer instinct.

Gyökeres: The Allaround No. 9

Gyökeres, by contrast, is more of an all-action striker. He doesn’t just wait for the ball; he creates space, links up play, presses hard, and gets involved in everything. At Sporting, he boasted a shot-on-target rate of around 0.41, which is even better than Haaland’s in some metrics. If he brings that same energy and finishing ability to the Premier League, defenders are going to have their hands full.

System and Support

Haaland plays on arguably the best team in the world. The likes of Foden, Marmoush, Cherki, Rodri and Silva are constantly feeding him chances. Gyökeres will have creative players around him too, as Arsenal have strengthened their squad by a huge margin, and are on par with City if not better, at least on paper. 

So… Who Takes It?

If we are talking about who’s the safer bet, it is hard to look past Haaland. He has done it before, and he’ll likely do it again,  especially if he avoids any major injury spells. He is a world class player and probably the best in the world in his position. 

If you are a fan of bold predictions, Gyökeres has all the tools to become the surprise package. His confidence is high, his goal-scoring instincts are sharp, and he has chosen the perfect team for himself, a team with good service and a proper game plan, which Arsenal has been under Arteta. Don’t be shocked if he pushes Haaland all the way.

Final Thoughts

The Premier League Golden Boot race for 2025–26 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years. Haaland is still the king, but Gyökeres is coming, and he’s coming fast. It is a battle of the proven versus the up-and-coming, the established juggernaut versus the red-hot challenger.