Pichichi Odds: Benzema Off the Mark, But is Griezmann Value at 10/1?

Barcelona started their post-Lionel Messi era with an impressive 4-2 win over Real Sociedad and reminded their fans that without their greatest ever, they still have plenty left in the tank. Martin Braithwaite scored twice and got an assist in the game, surpassing all expectations of him in the wake of the Memphis Depay transfer and attention on Antoin Griezmann.

Now, after a decent start from Depay following his assist for the opening goal and with Griezmann not scoring, the Frenchman has dropped down to 10/1 to be La Liga's top scorer in 2021/22, making him the fourth favourite.

As of now, Angel Correa, Braithwaite, Erik Lamela and Karim Benzema are top of the charts after one game, with all four netting braces on the opening weekend. Griezmann is set to be one of Barcelona's top men this campaign, however, given how he has scored more La Liga goals than anybody else in the squad and is now 30.

Back in 2014/15 and 2015/16 was when the forward netted his most goals in the competition, bagging 22 goals in both campaigns in what were his first at Atletico Madrid. Griezmann then failed to get more than 20 goals in the league until he departed for Barcelona, and only 22 came in his first two seasons with the Spanish giants.

With the assistance of Depay and the intent from Ronald Koeman to find their new superstar without Messi, this really should be Griezmann's time, and in truth, if it is not, his transfer to Barcelona could end up going down as a disaster.

Benzema has been one of the world's most underrated talents as it is so tough to acknowledge such incredible feats these days knowing that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are just going to take it one step further. This has become so apparent that the days of scoring 25 league goals from a 38-game season don't snatch the headlines, even if it brings in a top scorer trophy.

The French striker epitomizes this after scoring 23 times from 34 La Liga games last time out, which was the fifth time Benzema had surpassed 20 goals in 11 league campaigns in Spain, something only the likes of Messi and Ronaldo can boast in the past decade, with Luis Suarez doing so four times.

Now, after netting four times for France at Euro 2020, Benzema has ignited his 2021/22 campaign with two goals from one game in La Liga and put him as the 3/1 favourite for the La Liga top scorer odds.

Just like Griezmann, his compatriot has never won the top scorer award due to the dominance of Ronaldo, Suarez and Messi, as the Argentine surpassed Benzema's impressive 23 last season with 30 of his own.

On the other hand to Griezmann, however, the Real Madrid man doesn't seem to need much support as he has performed just as good without Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, whilst the decrease in ability from others around him haven't had an effect either.

We do believe we could see the two hotshots of either El Clasico side rival one another this campaign, with Suarez now 34 and Depay potentially paying more of a creative role. Either way, with Benzema 3/1, Suarez 11/2 and Griezmann 10/1 in the La Liga top scorer odds, it's set to be an incredibly close run.