The 2025-26 Premier League Golden Boot race is heating up. Track the top scorers, goals per 90, xG data, and projections as Haaland, Salah, Isak, and Palmer battle for supremacy.
The Premier League top scorers 2026 standings are entering a decisive phase as the 2025-26 season approaches its final stretch. As of April 4, 2026, Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Alexander Isak are locked in a tight battle for the Golden Boot, with fewer than three goals separating the top contenders.
After 31-32 matches played, the race for the 2025-26 Premier League Golden Boot is more competitive than in recent years. Erling Haaland of Manchester City sits at the summit with 24 goals in 31 appearances. He is closely pursued by Alexander Isak of Newcastle United, who has scored 23 goals in 32 games, and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool with 22 goals in just 30 starts.
Completing the top 10 are Cole Palmer (Chelsea, 20 goals), Phil Foden (Manchester City, 19), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa, 18), Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth, 17), Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest, 16), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, 15), and Heung-Min Son (Tottenham Hotspur, 15). The absence of a dominant penalty taker in the top spots has made this one of the most balanced Golden Boot races in recent memory.
While total goals matter, efficiency per 90 minutes reveals who is making the most of their opportunities. Alexander Isak leads the pack with 0.89 goals per 90, highlighting his clinical finishing despite playing for a mid-table side with less possession. Haaland follows with 0.80, while Salah maintains a strong 0.78 despite reduced minutes due to rotation.
Cole Palmer ranks fourth with 0.76 goals per 90, benefiting from Chelsea’s reliance on his shot volume and free-kick expertise. Phil Foden (0.74) and Ollie Watkins (0.68) also feature prominently, suggesting that attacking intelligence and positioning are as vital as raw pace. Analysts note that Isak’s numbers are particularly impressive given Newcastle’s lack of a consistent secondary goal threat.
xG data provides insight into whether players are outperforming or underperforming their chances. Isak has an xG of 20.3 but has scored 23 goals — a positive differential of +2.7, indicating elite finishing ability. Haaland, with an xG of 22.1, has overperformed by +1.9, consistent with his track record of converting high-quality chances.
Salah sits at 20.8 xG with 22 goals (+1.2), showing minimal overperformance but remarkable consistency. In contrast, Cole Palmer has a more concerning profile: 17.4 xG vs. 20 actual goals (+2.6), suggesting his tally may not be fully sustainable without a corresponding increase in shot quality. Experts believe that if Chelsea’s midfield fails to create clearer chances, Palmer’s scoring rate could drop in May.
The current Golden Boot record is 36 goals, set by Haaland in 2022-23. Based on current form, Haaland is on pace for approximately 31 goals this season — impressive but below his peak. A repeat of his record-breaking campaign seems unlikely due to increased defensive attention and fixture congestion in the Champions League.
For Isak, a Golden Boot win would be historic — the first for Newcastle since Alan Shearer in 1996-97. With 23 goals at this stage, he is on track for a projected 27-28 goals, a total that could be enough in a tightly contested race. Analysts suggest that if he maintains his current xG conversion rate, he could surpass Haaland in the final weeks.
Our model currently favors Alexander Isak to win the 2025-26 Golden Boot. His superior per-90 output, high xG, and favorable remaining fixtures — including matches against relegated sides — give him a slight edge. Newcastle’s lack of European football also means fewer rotation decisions, allowing Isak to play full minutes.
Haaland remains the bookmakers’ favorite, but City’s involvement in multiple competitions may limit his availability. Salah, while still a threat, is being managed carefully due to his age and Liverpool’s deep squad. Cole Palmer could surge if Chelsea remain in the European race, but his overperformance in xG raises sustainability concerns.
"Isak has evolved into a complete striker — intelligent movement, composure, and consistency. He's no longer just a physical presence" — FootballPulse senior analyst
Q: Who is the Premier League top scorer in 2025-26?
A: As of April 4, 2026, Erling Haaland leads with 24 goals, followed by Alexander Isak (23) and Mohamed Salah (22).
Q: How many goals does the Golden Boot winner usually score?
A: Since 2020, the average winning tally has been between 25 and 30 goals. This season, around 27 goals is expected to be sufficient.
Q: Who won the Golden Boot last season?
A: In 2024-25, Erling Haaland won the Golden Boot with 32 goals, finishing ahead of Mohamed Salah.