Brazil may have long since qualified for the 2018 World Cup but it is not in Neymar’s nature to rest on his laurels. Though he is unlikely to finish the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign as the continent’s top international goalscorer, Neymar’s place in the Brazilian World Cup squad is (assuming no injuries) wholly assured.
2018 optimism surrounding Neymar-fuelled Brazil
Even though the makeup of the thirty-two World Cup finalists has yet to become anywhere near finalised, the five-time winners are already priced at a maximum of 7/1. Though he was a shining light in a Brazil squad that disappointed in their own World Cup of 2014, Neymar is more fired up than ever as he leads the line for a great nation seeking atonement. Meanwhile, at club level, Neymar undoubtedly has his work cut out for PSG after signing for an earth-shattering £200m.
While his need to impress is perhaps not as great as that of his Brazilian teammates, he must still perform to the best of his ability while still doing his utmost to avoid an injury that would force his otherwise assured absence from the World Cup squad. In addition to Ligue 1 duties, Neymar will also be a regular feature in PSG’s six group games, which include a brace of encounters with Glasgow Celtic, the first since November 1995.
Neymar can repay £200m fee for PSG
Cavani and Neymar may be sworn enemies on the international stage, but the rivalry between the two PSG teammates is a decidedly friendlier one at club level, as PSG’s title odds continue to shorten in light of their strong start to 2017/18. Neymar has begun life with PSG in impressive fashion. Though absent from the scoresheet in PSG’s most recent game, which resulted in an easy 3-0 win over St. Etienne, Neymar still boasts a goals-per-game strike rate of over 100% – and that is without yet being fully integrated into the squad.
As of the September international break, Neymar remains third-favourite to be top Ligue 1 goalscorer, at a market-best of 11/4 behind favourite Cavani and AS Monaco’s Radamel Falcao. Beyond Neymar, the odds for the top Ligue 1 goalscorer lengthen drastically. Kylian Mbappe, arguably one of the most highly rated teenagers in living memory, is a 20/1 outsider, as is Lyon’s main gun Nabil Fekir.
In a sensational deadline day move, Mbappe defected from AS Monaco to PSG, which will cause further ripples in that particular market. While the mercurial Neymar can undoubtedly challenge for the Ligue 1 golden boot, Cavani is a more experienced outright striker and is thus at a distinct advantage where his ‘rivalry’ with Neymar is concerned. Neymar would, however, be a good each-way bet in the top goalscorer market, especially if AS Monaco look in serious danger of losing their crown at any point in the season.
