Liverpool’s January swoop for Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge has paid immediate dividends, with the 23-year-old scoring in all three games for his new club so far.
A debut goal against Mansfield Town in the FA Cup after just seven minutes got Sturridge’s Reds career off to the right start, after he became disillusioned with life in west London.
The ex-Manchester City forward followed up that strike with the consolation effort against Manchester United, and he struck again and played a starring role in Liverpool’s recent 5-0 demolition of Norwich.
With talk of a burgeoning partnership with Luis Suarez already exciting supporters on Merseyside, have offered punters the chance to stake on how many Premier League goals Sturridge will end up with this term.
Already on two, the early favourite with the bookmakers is for Sturridge to continue his good scoring form and end the season on over 10 goals, which is available at 13/8 (2.62).
Despite Sturridge’s impressive start to his career at Anfield, and the improved Liverpool forward line thanks to his signing and the timely return to fitness of Fabio Borini, it would be quite something if the England international netted at least nine more times with only 15 league games remaining.
If he keeps up his current hot-streak then it would be attainable, but for a player who has never scored more than 12 goals in a full season, to expect Sturridge to get to that tally in half a campaign is surely asking too much.
With Liverpool still competing in the FA Cup and Europa League such a haul may be possible in total, but to do so in just league matches would require unreserved backing and bank on no injuries.
Conversely, his odds of 5/2 (3.50) to fire less than five more Premier League efforts in 15 matches doesn’t seem to offer great value either, given how well he has taken to his new club.
With the other two options of 7-8 goals at 7/2 (4.50) and 9-10 goals 11/4 (3.75) offering better returns, it seems wisest to pick one of these selections.
9-10 league goals in total for the 2012/13 campaign would mean Sturridge adding either seven or eight to his current haul, and from 15 games that bet looks to be the strongest.
In a difficult market to predict, this option looks the best with the striker keen to impress new manager Brendan Rodgers in the coming months.
If Sturridge manages this many goals, and continues to combine with Suarez as well as Borini offering a threat off the bench, then Liverpool could also be a good punt for the top for at 8/1 (9.0), despite their lacklustre start to the season.
Jamie Dickenson is a 22-year-old freelance journalist who specialises in football, sports and betting.
More of his work can be found here – and you can also follow Jamie on 
Follow GoalBetting on