Who Will Win BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023?

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Who Will Win BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023?
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England women’s football goalkeeper Mary Earps is 1/7 with betting sites to win the 2023 BBC Sports Personality Of The Year tonight after the shortlist of six candidates was revealed recently.

Earps is joined by cricketer Stuart Broad, athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, jockey Frankie Dettori, wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett and golfer Rory McIlroy.

England and Arsenal footballer Beth Mead won last year’s award after the England team won Euro 2022 and there is every reason to suppose that Earps could follow in her footsteps when the winner is announced live on the BBC on December 19.

According to the Women’s Sports Trust (WST), the 2023 World Cup significantly contributed to women’s sports viewing figures, with an audience of 21.2 million tuning into the BBC’s coverage. 

The Solheim Cup, the women’s version of golf’s Ryder Cup, the Netball World Cup and the England women’s cricket team also contributed to increased women’s sports viewing figures.

It will naturally follow that with more interest in women’s sport, the greater the chance that female nominations for the Sports Personality Of The Year will attract significant support for a title decided by the public in an open vote. 

Earps tops the list of six contenders that were shortlisted after her inspiring performances when winning the Golden Glove at the World Cup. 

Although England were beaten in a tight final against Spain, Earps was lauded for her skills between the post.

Who Is Favourite To Win SPOTY?

AthleteBest OddsBookmaker
Mary Earps1/7Betfred
Stuart Broad10/1BetMGM
Katarina Johnson-Thompson20/1Unibet
Frankie Dettori33/1BoyleSports
Alfie Hewett50/1BetVictor
Rory McIlroy250/1Spreadex

Stuart Broad Falls From Favour 

Specials betting sites slashed the odds of England cricketer Broad after the Ashes series. 

Australia retained the famous urn, but Broad was inspirational for the England team in the series and the fast bowler took the last two wickets in the fifth test, which forced the draw.

He announced his retirement during the Ashes and this will be the last time voters will be allowed to show their appreciation for him after a lengthy reign as one of England’s finest cricketers. 

That may not be enough to swing things his way, although he remains second favourite for SPOTY at 10/1.

Is Katarina Johnson-Thompson A Worthy Candidate?

Since the Women’s World Cup, there have been few highlights in British sport and the most recent success stories tend to stick in potential voters' minds. 

Apart from Katarina Johnson-Thompson winning the heptathlon at the Athletics World Championships, there have been few stand-out moments in British sport.

Johnson-Thompson's price to win the award has come in from 28/1 at the start of the month to 20/1 with Unibet today, and she all but sealed her place on the shortlist after her exploits in Budapest.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson

Her determination to overcome a ruptured Achilles, suffered not long after taking the 2019 heptathlon crown, marked her as a fighter. A trait that sits well with voters.

That injury was followed by a calf tear, which ruled her out of the Olympics and that needed surgery took a mental toll as she considered retiring from the sport after finishing eighth at the 2022 World Championships.

Johnson-Thompson battled through her mental struggle, taking the Commonwealth title, and went into the World Championships in determined fashion. 

After excellent displays in the long jump and javelin, it all came down to the 800-metre race - the final event in the heptathlon. Her main rival was American Anna Hall, who needed to beat the Brit by around three seconds.

However, Johnson-Thompson ran the race of her life, taking almost two seconds off her personal best, which was enough to see her take the title. 

With such determination, odds of 20/1 on may even prove a touch on the generous side later.

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Can Frankie Dettori Upset The Odds?

Frankie Dettori

Alongside Johnson-Thompson in the SPOTY betting is Dettori, the most famous jockey in the world since Lester Piggott and adored by the racing public.

He had announced his retirement from UK racing and bowed out of the sport with a bang when riding a couple of winners on Champions Day at Ascot in October, including the Champion Stakes showcase race.

He is a top-priced 33/1 with BoyleSports after being as short as 7/2 in the summer, and while he will undoubtedly have his supporters, the Italian may not have the wide-ranging appeal to see him top the voting.

McIlroy And Hewett Are Huge Outsiders

Alfie Hewett (50/1) and Rory McIlroy (250/1) complete the shortlist and they are both big outsiders with betting apps to claim the elusive SPOTY award.

McIlory finished as runner-up back in 2014, narrowly missing out to Lewis Hamilton. That was despite a World Golf Championship win, his crucial role in Europe's Ryder Cup success and his surge back to World No.1.

Many feel like Rory should've claimed the accolade nine years ago and it looks like he won't be adding the SPOTY to his collection this year.

It looks as though British wheelchair tennis star Hewett will be joining McIlroy outside of a podium finish, despite his incredible 2023 campaign.

The 26-year-old finished as the World No.1 in both singles and doubles while claiming five Grand Slam titles in the process.

He also led the Great Britain team to glory at the World Team Cup and more than deserves his place among the five other shortlisted candidates.