Puskas Award Odds: Bamford Leads Garnacho In Wonder Strike Standings

Football is a team game, but individual awards are taken increasingly seriously, as a glance at the best betting sites will tell you. 

Some of the most popular markets these days are the ones for the Ballon d’Or, Golden Boot and other such prizes. 

The Puskas Award belongs in the same category. Introduced in 2009, it is given to the player deemed to have scored the “most beautiful” goal in the qualifying period. 

Previous recipients include Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah, while the likes of Brigthton & Hove Albion’s Julio Enciso and Chelsea Women’s Sam Kerr are on the shortlist for the 2023 prize.

The nominees for the latest edition were announced in September, which means any goals scored since then will count towards the 2024 prize, even if they happened in the final few months of last year.

There have been two standout strikes in English football since September - and they were scored by players plying their trade for rival clubs.

There is no love lost between Manchester United and Leeds United, whose head-to-head clashes are always worth watching. 

Leeds’ relegation to the Championship last term means they are unlikely to meet on the field in the coming months, but they could lock horns indirectly via Alejandro Garnacho, Patrick Bamford and the Puskas Award. 

Bamford Stunner May Not Be Bettered All Year

Patrick Bamford scored the best goal of his career to date on Sunday, January 7. 

It was only his second start in what has been a largely frustrating season for the striker, but he did not shown any signs of ring rust as Leeds beat Peterborough United 3-0 in the third round of the FA Cup.

It was in the 47th minute when Bamford received a long pass from Ethan Ampadu. 

The 30-year-old took the ball down on his chest, regained his balance, then crashed a sensational left-footed volley into the top scorer. It was a stupendous piece of play from the former England man.

“The whole world will praise this goal as being world-class. There are no other words for it,” said Daniel Farke, the Leeds manager. “I’m delighted for him and he deserves it.”

There will be plenty of other wondergoals scored between now and September, when the next batch of contenders for the Puskas Award is likely to be revealed. 

But when it comes to the head-to-head clash, the football betting sites rank Bamford’s chances of finishing higher than Garnacho at 5/2.

Garnacho Acrobatics Make Him A Strong Early Contender

Manchester United have not had much to cheer in 2023/24, but their fans did at least get to see one of the goals of the season so far. 

It came within a few minutes of kick-off at Goodison Park in November and set United on their way to a 3-0 victory over Everton.

Alejandro Garnacho has been a rare bright spot for the Red Devils this term and it was he who made even neutrals jump out of their seats that day. 

Diogo Dalot’s cross from the right wing was deeper than expected, but Garnacho adjusted his body and then launched himself into the air to meet the ball, firing it past Jordan Pickford after an act of astonishing agility. 

“I cannot believe it,” said Garnacho. “To be honest I just turned around and thought ‘oh my god’. One of the best I have scored - I am happy.”

It will probably turn out to be the greatest the Argentine ever notches, even if he continues playing for another 20 years. 

It is also likely to be right up there when it comes to the Puskas Award, but betting apps are rating Garnacho at 15/8 to finish above Bamford, who is ahead of the Man Utd youngster at Evens.

Can Leeds get the better of their arch-rivals this time, or will it be a Manchester United success later this year? Only time will tell!

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.