Europe Underrated Forwards – While players like Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Kylian Mbappe dominate the headlines with their goal-scoring exploits, several less heralded forwards around Europe are enjoying excellent seasons on certified sports betting sites. Though they may fly under the radar of casual fans on these platforms, these strikers deserve recognition for their strong performances.
The Breakout Star Firing Leverkusen’s Title Push
Victor Boniface has burst onto the scene this season as a key cog in Bayer Leverkusen’s unexpected run to the top of the Bundesliga table. The 23-year-old Nigerian has delivered a breakout campaign, racking up 9 goals and 5 assists in just 14 appearances. Among forwards with at least 900 minutes played, Boniface ranks first in the top European leagues in assists per 90 (0.49) and third in non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.80).
Boniface possesses an impressive all-around game, demonstrating quality hold-up play and combination skills to bring his teammates into the attack. He also boasts electric pace to get in behind defenses, along with a lethal finishing touch inside the box. If Leverkusen are to maintain their title push in the second half of the season, the continued excellence of Boniface will be critical. The young striker has emerged as one of Europe’s top breakout performers this term.
Europe Underrated Forwards – Arsenal’s Injured Star Seeking Full Fitness
Since arriving from Manchester City this summer, Gabriel Jesus had been a revelation for Premier League leaders Arsenal before a knee injury disrupted his momentum. After a blistering start saw him score 5 goals in his first 8 appearances, Jesus has struggled with fitness issues that have limited him to just 5 starts in Arsenal’s last 16 league matches.
When healthy, Jesus has proven himself a perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s system. He sets the tone with his relentless pressing and pairs it with intelligent link-up play in the final third. Among forwards with at least 900 minutes, Jesus ranks 8th across Europe’s top 5 leagues with 0.44 non-penalty expected goals per 90. Though currently short of full fitness after another knee knock, if Jesus can regain peak physical condition he still has a crucial role to play in Arsenal’s title push.
At 26 years old, there is no reason Jesus cannot return to his best form and lead the line during the Gunners’ pivotal spring run-in once his latest injury issue subsides. With unproven Eddie Nketiah serving as Arsenal’s only other senior striker option, getting their Brazilian talisman back to 100% needs to be priority number one at the Emirates.
Revitalized Calvert-Lewin Central to Everton’s Survival Hopes
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin entered this season with plenty to prove after injuries wrecked the last 18 months of his career. New manager Sean Dyche opted to ease Calvert-Lewin back into the fold rather than rush his return, but now fully fit, the England international is showing strong signs as the attacking focal point Dyche needs to preserve Everton’s top-flight status.
Though a 17-game goalless drought raises questions about his finishing, Calvert-Lewin is getting into excellent scoring positions, evidenced by his 0.60 non-penalty xG per 90 rate that ranks among Europe’s elite forwards. By continually making dangerous runs and attacking crosses effectively, he is giving Everton’s rejuvenated attack a credible threat that was sorely lacking earlier in the season.
If Calvert-Lewin continues posting strong underlying numbers, the goals figure to follow suit soon. With the powerful target man spearheading their attack and Dyche implementing his structured defensive approach, Everton are well-positioned to climb out of the relegation zone and avoid the drop if their key #9 keeps progressing positively upon his return to full health.
The Reborn Ace Guiding Atalanta’s Top 4 Push
Winger Ademola Lookman’s circuitous career path has finally led him to a perfect home with Italian upstarts Atalanta, where his stellar play has helped drive them to within striking distance of Serie A’s Champions League places. With 9 goals and 7 assists across all competitions already this term, Lookman has comfortably delivered his best season numbers since bursting onto the scene as a teenager.
After failing to meet high expectations at various Premier League stops, Lookman has reinvented himself under Gian Piero Gasperini’s tutelage. Stationed as a left-sided forward, his pace and dribbling ability make Lookman a constant threat in the open field. Atalanta’s aggressive style also enables him to tap into his creative passing instincts around the box that went largely dormant during his time in England.
Still only 26, Lookman has Synthesized his versatile skill set with Atalanta’s schemes to produce a breakout campaign. If he maintains this form, Lookman could emerge as the catalyst behind a top 4 upset for the perennial Serie A upstarts.
Veteran Lewandowski Still Dangerous Despite Dip
Robert Lewandowski has been one of Europe’s most prolific scorers over the past decade at Bayern Munich and now Barcelona. Though Lewandowski has battled injuries issues this season on an underwhelming Barca side, his numbers relative to volume still demonstrate an elite scoring threat.
Among forwards with over 900 minutes played in Europe’s top 5 leagues, Lewandowski places 12th with 0.60 non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes. From a shot quality perspective, he remains one of the most efficient forwards across the continent even at age 35. Lingering injury trouble combined with Barcelona’s broader struggles have obscured his continued excellence, but write off the Polish hitman at your own peril.
If Barcelona can improve the supporting cast around him this summer, Lewandowski will head into 2024 positioned to add to his legendary goal-scoring exploits next season at 36 years old.
Haaland, Salah and Mbappe exploits this season serve as a timely reminder that football’s heart lies not solely within its most celebrated stars like Haaland, Salah or Mbappe but also among those behind-the-scenes who contribute on an everyday basis. Their journeys prove football is much richer and deeper than what its headlines might indicate; making these players worthy picks for soccer betting picks.
