Who Will Win BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023?
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Stuart Broad has been installed as the new favourite for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year following his heroics at the Ashes.
Betting sites have slashed the odds on Broad winning the prestigious award to just 7/4 after he led England to a famous victory over Australia in the fifth Test.
The 34-year-old fast bowler announced that he would retire after the series concluded, and he went out with a bang.
Broad took the final two wickets as England closed out a 49-run victory, which saw them draw the rain-affected series 2-2.
He said he was determined to bow out while still at the peak of his powers, and it was a very fitting way to bring down the curtain on a magnificent career.
However, there is still plenty of time for rivals to muscle their way into contention for the SPOTY award, and Broad could face competition from a range of talented athletes.
Will Stuart Broad Claim His First SPOTY Title?
Broad was serenaded by a raucous crowd at The Oval after playing a starring role in England’s win against Australia in the fifth Test.
Correspondent Jonathan Agnew called it a “dream finish” to Broad’s glittering career, while players past and present queued up to heap praise on the legendary fast bowler.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan summed up the sentiment when he said: “Fairy tales can happen. Broad bowled beautifully today, I don't know why he's quitting. He played magnificently.”
Broad was England’s top wicket taker for the series, having removed 22 opponents in 164.2 overs.
He could have carried on, but he decided to retire while at the top of his game, and the bookies believe he will now be rewarded with the SPOTY award.
He is best priced at 7/4 with specials betting sites, which is tempting when you consider that some bookies will only go to 5/4.
Frankie Dettori’s Sports Personality Of The Year Odds Suggest He Is A Contender
Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori will hang up his whip for the final time after competing in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita later this year.
Dettori has been grabbing headlines for three decades thanks to his exploits in the saddle, winning all manner of elite races around the world.
He has won the 1,000 Guineas four times, the 2,000 Guineas on three occasions, eight Ascot Gold Cups and a wide range of additional Group 1 triumphs in the UK, France and Ireland.
The Italian rider is also a four-time Dubai World Cup winner, while he has also tasted success in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the Japan Cup and many other famous races.
Dettori was priced at 25/1 for the SPOTY award at the start of 2023, but he has now shortened to 7/2 after securing some famous victories.
He landed the 2000 Guineas aboard Chaldean, before clinching the Coronation Cup on Emily Upjohn and the Epsom Oaks on Soul Sister in June.
If he continues to rack up Group 1 wins, he could surge ahead of Broad in this market.
Can The Lionesses Roar Their Way Into The SPOTY Frame?
England cruised through the group stage at the Women’s World Cup with a 100% record, so they are among the favourites to lift the trophy.
Star forward Beth Mead won the SPOTY award last year after firing her team to glory at Euro 2022, and a Lioness would surely be handed the honour this year if they end up winning the World Cup.
Mead is out injured, but Chelsea forward Lauren James has stepped up in her absence, running riot against bamboozled opponents.
She is the most likely candidate from the England squad, as some bookies have now slashed the odds on her to 9/1, but you cannot count out the likes of Millie Bright, Alessia Russo, Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp.
Can Zharnel Hughes Sprint Into The SPOTY Picture?
Elite sprinter Zharnel Hughes emerged as a SPOTY contender after shattering a couple of British records this year,
He ran the 100m in just 9.83 seconds at the New York Grand Prix in June, breaking Linford Christie’s long-standing record.
Hughes then smashed John Regis’ 30-year British 200m record by an impressive 0.21 seconds as he finished in 19.73 in front of a packed crowd at the Diamond League meeting in London.
As such, the sprinter is now 18/1 with betting apps to win the SPOTY award.
Broad’s Teammates May Earn Recognition
Broad may also face competition from within the England squad for the Sports Personality of the Year award.
Captain Ben Stokes was the favourite at the start of the year, but he has drifted out to 20/1 with new betting sites after Broad stole his thunder.
Yet he still produced many moments of individual brilliance throughout the Ashes, and he still has more adventures ahead of him this year, so there is time for him to regain the momentum.
Meanwhile, Joe Root is 50/1, while you can find 100/1 on Jonny Bairstow and James Anderson.
Rory McIlroy’s Sports Personality Of The Year Odds Point To Outsider Status
Rory McIlory made a flying start to the year by finishing one shot clear of fierce rival Patrick Reed to win the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January.
He has emerged as a vocal critic of Reed and the other golfers that abandoned the PGA Tour in favour of its Saudi-backed rival, LIV Golf, so that represented a symbolic victory.
McIlroy followed it up with an impressive win in the Scottish Open this summer, beating Robert MacIntyre by a single stroke after finishing with a string of birdies.
However, the majors continue to elude the world No 2, who was T7 at the PGA Championship, runner-up at the US Open and T6 at The Open this year.
That may count against him, but he still has a chance at claiming the award if he wins the FedEx Cup, so he is 14/1 in this market with 888sport, but 100/1 with other betting apps.
Other long-shots in the SPOTY odds include Anthony Joshua (66/1), Marcus Smith (70/1), Jude Bellingham (100/1), Bukayo Saka (100/1) and Natasha Jonas (100/1).
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