In The Mixer is FST’s weekly column where we catch up with eight experts in football betting and get their opinions on the hot topic of the week.

With the Champions League knockout stages beginning next week, we thought now was the perfect time to take a look at the top scorer market in Europe’s elite club competition.

Ajax striker Sebastien Haller leads the way after the group stages with 10 to his name Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich has nine, with RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah both on seven.

There are a few other contenders still in the mix to top the Champions League scoring charts and a few of our experts have been tempted by some big prices. You can see their best top Champions League goalscorer bets below.

Real Madrid marksman offers value

Liam Flin

Sports journalist at Racing Post

Real Madrid are consistently linked with the hottest young strikers across the continent but in veteran Frenchman Karim Benzema, they already have a proven goalscorer in their ranks.

Benzema is leading scorer in Spain’s La Liga this term, spearheading his side’s pursuit of the league title, and has bagged five goals in as many matches in the Champions League.

He has a little way to go to catch Sebastien Haller but has got form behind him and a last-16 win over PSG would give Real the belief they can beat anyone and they could go deep if they make it past the first round of the knockouts. He looks a decent bet at 33/1.

James Milton

Sports journalist at Racing Post

It is hard to look beyond Bayern ace Robert Lewandowski, who should be confident of bolstering his tally over two legs against last-16 opponents RB Salzburg, but Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema may be worth a small bet at 33-1.

The evergreen France international scored five times in the group stage and he is expected to overcome a minor injury to line up against Paris St-Germain in the last 16. Benzema’s finishing has been outstanding in La Liga this season, with 17 goals in 21 starts, and he should also be on penalties for the Spanish giants.

Gareth Freeman

Sports journalist at FST

Robert Lewandowski deserves to be the favourite in this particular market but the Bayern Munich man just isn’t tempting enough at 4/7. Ajax’s Sebastien Haller is the current leading scorer and if you do fancy the Dutch club to go deep in the tournament there is value in backing the Ivorian but as a big outsider Karim Benzema has some appeal at 33/1.

The Real Madrid forward has five goals so far and if he is to top the scoring charts he needs to score at least six more and hope Ajax and Bayern fall in either the next round or the quarter finals. That’s a big ask, but not impossible and 33/1 looks about right for the Frenchman to be the Champions League’s top scorer.

Can Haller stay ahead of the pack?

Joe Casey

Sports journalist at Racing Post

Ajax have been a revelation in this year’s Champions League and a kind draw in the round of 16 means there could be more to come from them and star striker Sebastian Haller.

The Ivorian is already the leader in the Golden Boot race and can keep up the gallop by filling his boots against Benfica.

Erik Ten Hag’s system brings out the best in Haller and the former West Ham striker looks value to be Champions League top scorer at 5/2.

Aaron Ashley

Sports journalist at Racing Post

Bayern’s goal-machine Robert Lewandowski is going to take some stopping in his pursuit of the award he won when the German giants were crowned Champions League winners two seasons ago, but quotes as short as 2-5 look a touch skinny.

Lewandowski has nine goals in six Champions League starts this season and is one behind Ajax’s Sebastien Haller and a two-legged tie with RB Salzburg gives him every chance of bridging that gap.

However, I expect Ajax to overcome Benfica in the last 16 which would give Haller at least four more matches to add to his tally of ten, making him a reasonable enough bet at 5/2 in what effectively looks like a match.

Tom McGarry

Sports journalist at ICS

Robert Lewandowski is the odds-on favourite to top the scoring charts for a reason, but there is one striker currently ahead of him in the standings, and that is Ajax front man Sebastien Haller.

The Ivorian may have underwhelmed during his time in the Premier League with West Ham, but 10 goals in the group stage is a phenomenal achievement and he will expect to add to that tally when Ajax face Benfica in the round of 16.

The Dutch giants reached the semi-finals three years ago and a repeat showing this time around would surely mean Haller will end the season as the competition’s leading marksman.

Premier League pair still in contention

Aaron Rogan

Sports journalist at FST

Having backed Liverpool to go all the way earlier this season, I see plenty more goals for Mo Salah in Europe this term. The Egyptian has struck seven times for the Reds already this term, putting him only three shy of Sebastien Haller.

With the Premier League beyond their reach, expect Liverpool to focus on Europe this term – which should allow Salah to boost his tally. Priced up at 8/1, Salah offers better value than the frontrunners too.

Warren Ashurst

Sports journalist at ICS

After being handed a favourable last-16 draw against Sporting Lisbon, you would think Man City would have at least four more games left in the Champions League. Most people would expect Pep Guardiola’s men to reach the semi-finals, if the draw is kind.

Riyad Mahrez has already got five goals to his name in this season’s competition and is currently five goals behind Ajax frontman Sebastian Haller.

The former Leicester City man is a massive price in my opinion, with 50/1 available for him to end up as the tournament’s top scorer.