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The Bundesliga has returned with a bang this season, with German clubs going head-to-head to give us incredible spectacle. While fans will be closely monitoring the race for the league title, they will also be keeping an eye on the battle for the Golden Shoe.
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski won the accolade last season with his return of 41 goals in 29 appearances. The Polish forward remains the favorite to claim it once again this term, having entered the campaign in red-hot form.
However, it won't be a ride in the park for the 33-year-old. The German top flight currently has a number of world-class finishers who are guaranteed to give him a run for his money in the race for the prize. That said, let's take a look at the top five favorites for the Bundesliga Golden Boot this season.
#5 Patrik Schick
Patrik Schick was one of the standout performers during the European Championship this summer. His return of five goals for the Czech Republic in five games during the tournament was only matched by Cristiano Ronaldo.
The striker has brought his incredible form into the Bundesliga this season and he's been nothing but a huge tormentor to opposition defenses. Schick is one of the most prolific goalscorers in the German top flight at the moment. He's recorded an impressive eight goals to his name in nine appearances for Bayer Leverkusen so far.
The 25-year-old would've probably scored more than that if not for an injury that has forced him to miss the last three fixtures in the division. Nevetheless, he is still in a good position to fight for the Bundesliga Golden Boot come the end of the campaign.
#4 Anthony Modeste
FC Koln striker Anthony Modeste is also one of the few players who has a good chance of winning the Bundesliga Golden Boot this season. The Frenchman has been at an impressive level since the beginning of the campaign, capturing the attention of fans with his amazing goalscoring exploits.
So far, Modeste has recorded eight goals to his name in 12 appearances in the German top flight. He's proven to be a big-game player by finding the back of the net against the likes of Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen this season.
#3 Taiwo Awoniyi
It's been an electrifying start to the new Bundesliga campaign for Union Berlin forward Taiwo Awoniyi. The Nigerian international has taken everyone by surprise with his amazing performances in front of goal for the Berlin-based club.
Awoniyi is one of the most prolific players in the German top flight at the moment, with a record of eight goals to his name in 12 appearances. Union Berlin are now fighting for the chance to participate in the Champions League next. They have the striker to thank for firing them upfront.
Should he maintain his fine form until the end of the campaign, he'll definitely stand a huge chance of going home with the Bundesliga Golden Boot. Until then, let's keep our fingers crossed.
#2 Erling Haaland
The Borussia Dortmund striker has been a monster in front of goal ever since he switched to the Bundesliga in January 2020. He bagged 27 goals in 28 appearances in the division last season. He's already started the new campaign on the front foot with a string of laudable displays in front of goal.
As it stands, Erling Haaland ranks second on the Bundesliga top scorers' list with a record of nine goals to his name in just six games. The Norwegian has also bagged four assists for Borussia Dortmund in the German top flight so far.
The 21-year-old has missed six games in the division this season due to injury. He could possibly spend the remaining five weeks of the year on the sidelines but will certainly be back to continue his exploits. There's simply no writing him off in the race for the Golden Boot this season.
#1 Robert Lewandowski
Bayern Munich sharpshooter Robert Lewandowski is the odds-on favorite to win the Bundesliga Golden Shoe this season. The striker has enjoyed another prolific start to the campaign and that only makes it more difficult for his rivals to keep up with him.
So far, Lewy has recorded 14 goals to his name in 12 appearances in the German top flight. Thanks in part to his amazing goalscoring exploits, Bayern Munich currently rank first in the table with 28 points in 12 games.
The Polish forward is no stranger to winning the Golden Shoe. He claimed the accolade in each of the last four seasons and will definitely be eager to add another one to his cabinet this term.
