With just seven games to go for the majority of teams, the EFL Golden Boot race is heating up.
Within this article, we’ve looked at the top scorers across the EFL and who they face for the remainder of the season.
A year ago, Sammie Szmodics of Blackburn Rovers was tearing up the Championship. He’d already scored 23 goals and was seemingly destined for the Golden Boot. This season, however, the race is much tighter, with no player yet reaching the 20-goal milestone. Nevertheless, several are closing in.
A reminder that we have 25 matches this evening as Double Gameweek 34 slowly draws to a close. For the news and tips, check out our Gameweek Guide for all the latest info.
Leading scorers
There are currently two strikers with 18 goals apiece: Wycombe Wanderers’ Richard Kone (F) and Bromley’s Michael Cheek (F).
Wycombe’s number 24 has been excellent for the Chairboys, propelling them to third in the League One table, as their underdog story of promotion continues. In just 34 games, he’s returned 165 points and is averaging 0.75 goals per 90. He last bagged in their 2-3 away win at Rotherham United in Gameweek 32, scoring 11 points for his efforts. Although he’s only started 25 games, and has suffered from minor injuries throughout the season. His schedule is as follows:
- GW35: Reading (A), Huddersfield Town (A)
- GW36: Stevenage (H)
- GW37: Bolton Wanderers (A), Charlton Athletic (H)
- GW38: Leyton Orient (A)
- GW39: Stockport County (H)
Meanwhile, Bromley’s number nine has been magnificent for the League Two newboys, bagging 18 in 38. Even more impressively, the 33-year-old has six assists (+18) to his name, and is the second-most offensive player behind an FPL hero, as seen below:
He has four goal contributions in his previous four, and is averaging 0.51 goals per 90. With 185 total points, we’d be shocked if the Englishman doesn’t finish the season as one of the highest-scoring forwards in-game. Following Newport County (A) to conclude 34, this is their remaining schedule:
- GW35: Accrington Stanley (H)
- GW36: Port Vale (A)
- GW37: Morecambe (H), Swindon Town (A)
- GW38: Barrow (A)
- GW39: Cheltenham Town (H)
Second-place
As it stands, three forwards are tied with 17: Norwich City’s Borja Sainz (F), Notts County’s Alassana Jatta (F) and AFC Wimbledon’s Mathew Stevens (F).
After Szmodic’s exit, Sainz entered the season as a highly anticipated EFL attacker, quickly justifying the hype. His early form was explosive, highlighted by a hat-trick in Gameweek 8 – Norwich’s first in over three years – and a total of 11 goals and two assists in his initial 15 appearances. He added another hat-trick in Gameweek 16. However, following his ban between Gameweeks 24-27, his performance has dipped significantly. In his last eight games, he’s contributed only three goals/assists. Despite still leading all forwards with 205 points in 34 appearances, he’s no longer displaying the same dominant form from earlier in the season. Nonetheless, he faces this remaining schedule:
- GW35: Plymouth Argyle (A), Sunderland (H)
- GW36: Burnley (A)
- GW37: Portsmouth (H), Millwall (A)
- GW38: Middlesbrough (A)
- GW39: Cardiff City (H)
Meanwhile, Jatta has made 33 appearances for the Magpies, and is averaging 0.54 goals per 90 – a slightly better ratio than Cheek. The Gambia international has scored just once in his previous five matches, and has regularly featured on the wing for Stuart Maynard’s side. He’s also provided five assists alongside his return in front of goal, bagging 181 points. In terms of his output, he said:
“You have to push yourself sometimes out of your comfort zone and go for the extra mile to help the team because I’m not really OK with the numbers now. I just want it to be higher because the more goals that I get, the better it will be for the team.”
(BBC, 2024)
Sitting sixth with 65 points from 39 games, and accumulating 209 Fantasy points, he’ll be seeking improvement as they push for League One promotion. Their schedule is:
- GW35: Colchester United (A)
- GW36: Salford City (H)
- GW37: Bradford City (A), Cheltenham Town (H)
- GW38: Harrogate Town (A)
- GW39: Doncaster Rovers (H)
Finally, Stevens has been pivotal in the Dons’ pursuit of promotion, also with 65 points in 39 games, but in fifth place due to a better goal difference. The number 14 isn’t in brilliant form, with only two goals in his previous 10, but is a consistent threat for Johnnie Jackson’s side. Following Swindon (A) in 34, they face:
- GW35: Harrogate Town (H)
- GW36: Doncaster Rovers (A)
- GW37: Chesterfield (H), Gillingham (A)
- GW38: Port Vale (H)
- GW39: Grimsby (A)
Third place
Jay Stansfield (F), League One’s record signing, has been pivotal in Birmingham City’s push for immediate promotion. Currently nine points clear with nine games remaining (including re-arranged fixtures), Birmingham appears well-positioned [86] to smash the title. Despite a recent five-game goal drought and a slight dip in form following an injury, Stansfield’s starting role remains secure when fully fit. While Alfie May (F) has been effective off the bench, contributing significantly despite only 23 starts in 36 appearances, Stansfield is expected to lead the line. His season tally stands at 16 goals and 3 assists in 28 games, amounting to 146 points. Following Double Gameweek 34 against Bristol Rovers (A), Chris Davies’ side are yet to face:
- GW35: Barnsley (H), Peterborough (A)
- GW37: Crawley (H), Burton (A)
- GW38: Stevenage (A), Mansfield (H), Blackpool (A)
- GW39: Cambridge (A)
The outside shouts
Although this list could change in the blink of an eye, here are a few others who could be in the running.
Leeds United’s Joel Piroe (F) has 15 goals and six assists this season, nailing 182 points, and has seven remaining matches, as the Whites gun for an automatic promotion spot in the Championship.
Leyton Orient’s Charlie Kelman (F) has been flying under the radar with 15 goals, and has the best goals per 90 of anyone listed: 0.49. Four goals in his previous three, he has seven matches following Double Gameweek 37.
Finally, no other player in the EFL in 2025 has more goals than Norwich’s Josh Sargent (F), who’s bagged nine in 13. His overall tally stands at 13 in 25.
