Odds Cut On Marcus Rashford For Sports Personality Of The Year

Andrew Beasley

June 17th, 2020

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With the coronavirus crisis having decimated the sporting calendar in 2020, the race to be crowned as the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in December is certain to be an interesting one.

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford made a large stride in the specials betting market on Monday, as his price to win the award moved from 20/1 down to just 3/1 with Bet365.

The reason for the shift is a letter which the England international wrote to MPs. He urged them to reconsider their decision not to extend free school meals for low-income families this summer.

Rashford spoke of his own experiences of relying on the system when he was a child, and it has struck a chord with many members of the British public.

In a year when top level sport has lost many of its key tournaments, the personal actions of sportspeople could prove crucial in the destination of the 2020 SPOTY prize.

In each of the last five years in which there has been an Olympic games, a British medal winner at the event has gone on to win the BBC’s top sporting award. The postponement of Tokyo 2020 should ensure there is a wide-open field this year.

Fury Remains SPOTY Favourite

Despite the shift in the market, Rashford is not the favourite. That honour currently belongs to Tyson Fury, who is priced at around evens (1/1).

It’s no surprise the controversial boxer leads the way, as he is perhaps the one British person who has so far achieved something of significance in top level sport this year, defeating Deontay Wilder in February.

Behind the front two, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is third place in the betting at 7/1. He is in the strange position of not yet actually winning anything in 2020 but being almost certain of doing so.

On that basis, his odds are unlikely to shift too much, as everyone expects him to lead the Reds to their first league title in three decades, it’s just a matter of waiting until it officially happens.

Lewis Hamilton is also well-placed in the SPOTY betting, at 8/1. As there looks set to be a Formula One season this year – the length of which is yet to be determined – he will have the chance to add to his six World Championship titles. He has been runner up in the BBC end of year event four times, which is a record, winning once in 2014.

Away from sport directly, charity hero Captain Tom Moore is available at 9/1 with Boylesports, and they have fitness guru Joe Wicks priced at 8/1 with Bet365. While their sterling efforts to inspire the nation during lockdown deserve tremendous credit, it’s hard to see them being crowned as the actual Sports Personality of the Year.

Right now, this one looks to be a straight fight between Fury and Rashford, though thankfully for the United star, not one which will take place in the boxing ring.