World Cup Betting: Golden Gloves Candidates

Soon the globe’s elite footballing talent will flock to Russia in search of lifting the famous golden trophy. 

The festival of football is always blockbusting viewing for sport fans and this edition of the World Cup will be no different. 

First introduced as the ‘Lev Yashin Award’ in 1994, in honour of the late great Soviet Union goalkeeper, it is given to the tournament’s top player in net. 

In each of the last five World Cups, the goalie from the victorious nation has been given the award and that’s where we’ll start – with one of the favourites. 

David de Gea – Spain 

Arguably the world’s finest keeper, the Manchester United man has enjoyed another stellar season at Old Trafford. 

Filling Iker Casillas’ gloves with ease, the former Atletico Madrid reflex-master has transformed from wiry youngster to a prowling net commander. 

With Spain’s solid recent pedigree of winning international titles and the likes of Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba in front of him – De Gea is perfectly placed to pick up the Golden Glove. 

The Red Devils’ star performer since Robin van Persie’s league winning campaign, the sensational Spaniard is at the top of his game. 

Alisson – Brazil 

Despite Ederson having a terrific season at Manchester City, over in Italy there is another Brazil goalkeeper that has developed into one of the best keepers in the world. 

Linked with a summer move to Real Madrid and Liverpool, Alisson has been in spectacular form for Roma and is now a firm favourite with Samba Boys boss Tite. 

After the humiliation of being thrashed at their own World Cup, under their new boss the South Americans have got back into their groove – featuring a win over their 7-1 defeaters Germany. 

Though Brazil have the image of free-flowing football, they’ve been a solid side of late and could earn Alisson the Golden Glove. 

Manuel Neuer – Germany 

The reigning Golden Glove holder was out for a large chunk of Bayern Munich’s season – but the big man is back and ready to defend his title. 

Germany’s undoubted number one, he was vital in Die Mannschaft’s World Cup win in 2014 and heads to Russia as his nation’s captain. 

Joachim Low’s men went through qualification unbeaten, dishing out some thumping beatings while keeping it tight at the back. 

A culmination of years of work on the nation’s footballing foundation, Germany were rewarded with a badly needed World Cup triumph last time out and could go all the way again – with Neuer leading from the back. 

Hugo Lloris – France 

Les Bleus captain Lloris adds to the strong Premier League contingent on this contenders list. 

The Tottenham man has been an important part of the White Hart Lane men’s transition from perceived flaky bottlers to title contenders with plenty of mettle. 

Suffering 2016 Euros final heartbreak on home soil, Didier Deschamps possesses perhaps the best squad in the tournament and will look  for redemption by making it count. 

Without the pressure of hosting the competition, the shackles could be off and Lloris to benefit as a result. 

Lifting the famous golden trophy could certainly help his case for winning the Golden Glove. 

Thibaut Courtois – Belgium 

Could this be the tournament that the Red Devils finally realise their potential? Roberto Martinez’s squad is littered with star talent and that starts from the very back. 

Courtois has been repeatedly courted by Real Madrid over the last few months and has already won four league titles in three different countries in his career so far. 

With the likes of Dries Mertens, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard ready to take the competition by the scruff of the neck and get into the latter stages of the World Cup – expect Courtois to have plenty of minutes to show his wide array of goalkeeping talents.