Messi, Neymar, or a dark horse: Who will win the Golden Boot in Russia?

With the 2018 installment set to kick-off in 10 days when host Russia welcomes Saudi Arabia to the Luzhniki Stadium, pundits and prognosticators alike have begun making predictions on all things World Cup.

Chief among those is the Golden Boot, and with football's best attackers set to convene in Russia, it will be a hotly contested honour. Naturally, bookmakers have drawn up the odds, and below are 13 players that could win the individual honour and their chances of doing so, courtesy of bet365:

Lionel Messi (9/1): Despite sharing goal-scoring duties as part of a stacked Argentina attack that also features Juventus tandem Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain, and Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi is the bookies' fave. With progression beyond the group stage in each of the last three World Cups, the Barcelona stud is a safe bet to go deep in the quadrennial contest.

Neymar (10/1): Even with a wonky foot that the Brazilian star admits is still causing "discomfort," Neymar is pegged by many to become the first Canarinha star to lead the World Cup in scoring since Ronaldo in 2002. On the left side of an explosive front-three with Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho, Neymar is bound to get several goals as part of a deep tournament run.

Antoine Griezmann (12/1): Olivier Giroud is France's active goal leader on 31, Antoine Griezmann is a safer pick by virtue of a versatility that allows him to both play in support of the striker and as a No. 9. Favourites to win, Les Bleus boast one of the tournament's best attacks, with Griezmann's efforts assisted by the work of wide players Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

Cristiano Ronaldo (14/1): Betting against the bronzed star is a fool's errand, and after Cristiano Ronaldo smashed Champions League goal-scoring records, the Portuguese leader arrives in Russia in good form. If Ronaldo and Co. can replicate their Euro 2016 run, expect he and fellow forward Andre Silva to combine well.

Gabriel Jesus (16/1): The odds on the Manchester City youngster's chances of the Golden Boot appear high considering Neymar's presence, though Gabriel Jesus boasts a stellar goal-scoring clip for Brazil, with nine tallies in just 15 outings. Doesn't hurt that the 21-year-old's ability to play several attacking positions should keep him on the pitch.

Harry Kane (16/1): England will only get as far as Harry Kane's goal-scoring boots will carry it. With the captain's armband and 12 goals in 23 international appearances, odds are the Tottenham star will be Gareth Southgate's best source of goals. England will need to progress deep in the tournament for Kane to life the Golden Boot

Timo Werner (16/1): German forwards have either won or finished runner-up for the Golden Boot in each of the last four World Cup's, and with 2010 honouree Thomas Muller slated to play a supportive role, RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner is a good shout for the award. Werner, 22, had 21 goals in all comps this season and is a clinical finisher set to thrive under Jogi Low.

Romelu Lukaku (18/1): With Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne in support in a 3-4-2-1 set-up, there's plenty of reason to think Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku could contend for the Golden Boot. A clinical finisher from close range, should the Red Devils progress through the knockout stages, the Manchester United stud could build on 30 international goals in 63 appearances.

Diego Costa (25/1): Alvaro Morata was left at home, Rodrigo, Iago Aspas and Lucas Vazquez are certain not to start, and Spain is one of the tournament favourites, meaning Diego Costa will be heavily leaned on for goals. Considering that, it's curious that the Atletico Madrid star's Golden Boot odds are so far down the list. Bit of a darkhorse pick.

Luis Suarez (25/1): Questions surround the balance of Oscar Tabarez's Uruguay side ahead of the Group A opener with Egypt, but one thing rarely in doubt for La Celeste is in attack. Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani will both start, meaning the goal poachers are likely to share the spoils, diminishing each striker's chance of winning the Golden Boot.

Edinson Cavani (25/1): With 92 goals in 197 caps between them, Suarez and Cavani have a proven track record, though as mentioned above, the presence of a two-prong attack may limit the opportunities for a tournament-leading goal haul. Should Suarez again decide to bite an opponent or block an effort with his hands, PSG's Cavani could be a narrow shout for the individual acclaim.

Robert Lewandowski (33/1): A longshot for the Golden Boot, Robert Lewandowski is the goal-scoring crutch for a Poland side that could shock doubters in Russia. Likely to be paired up top with Napoli's oft-injured striker Arkadiusz Milik, the Bayern Munich star is Poland's all-time leading scorer with 52 in 93 appearances.

Mohamed Salah (40/1): Following the Egyptian FA's announcement on Tuesday that star forward Mohamed Salah would be fit for the World Cup after suffering a shoulder injury in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, the Pharaohs were handed a massive boost. So to has Salah's chances of winning the Golden Boot.

James Rodriguez (66/1): He can't do it again, can he? Four years after a starring role for Colombia in Brazil saw James Rodriguez win the Golden Boot and generate a big money move to Real Madrid, the current Bayern winger will again be an integral part of Los Cafeteros plans, though expectations are that Monaco's Radamel Falcao will be the main source of Colombia's goals.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)