Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson selects his top ten sporting bets for 2015

AUSTRALIA TO WIN THE CRICKET WORLD CUP (5-2)

The first big global sporting event of the year starts in the middle of next month, with Australia and New Zealand jointly hosting the Cricket World Cup.

England will start the tournament in a state of some disarray, and given their dreadful one-day record over the last few years, it would be a major surprise if Peter Moores’ side claimed a maiden World Cup crown.

India and Sri Lanka are always strong in the one-day format, while South Africa boast a squad without any obvious deficiencies. With home advantage to assist them, though, it could pay to side with Australia, a team who have improved dramatically over the last 12 months. Phil Hughes’ recent death will provide an emotional resonance and knowledge of the Australian pitches could be key.

The Northern Echo: Australia's Aaron Finch celebrates making 100 runs against England during their One Day International cricket match, Sunday, Jan. 12. 2014, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill). (3377412)

FAUGHEEN TO WIN THE CHAMPION HURDLE AT THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL (6-4)

The Champion Hurdle looks like being the stand-out race at March’s Cheltenham Festival, with two former champions and two up-and-coming superstars likely to be in the field.

Last year’s race dropped into Jezki’s lap somewhat, but the Irish raider improves in the spring and is a lively contender. The New One would probably have won last year had he not been hampered, and his performances this winter suggest he is better than ever.

Faugheen lacks the experience of both horses, but last year’s Neptune winner has demolished every field he has run in and looks to possess the power and pace required to triumph in the feature race on the opening day of the Festival.

The Northern Echo:

BAYERN MUNICH TO WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (11-4)

While Real Madrid and Barcelona are repeatedly showered with praise during discussions about European football, Bayern Munich have become something of a forgotten side after failing to make last year’s Champions League final. Quite simply, they shouldn’t be.

Eleven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after an unbeaten first half of the season, Pep Guardiola’s side produced the stand-out display of the Champions League group stage when they scored seven goals at Roma’s Stadio Olimpico in October.

They should cruise past Shakhtar Donetsk in the first knock-out phase, and with the likes of Manuel Neuer, Xabi Alonso, Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski to call upon, look the best value bet to go all the way and lift the trophy.

The Northern Echo: Bayern Munich players celebrate with the UEFA Champions League trophy

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN TO WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS (5-2)

He might have been unable to retain his World Championship crown, losing to eventual winner Gary Anderson in the semi-finals, but that only means that Michael van Gerwen is even better value for the Premier League, which gets underway in Leeds at the start of next month.

The Premier League format is completely different to the Worlds, with the short, sharp nature of the matches playing into van Gerwen’s hands and potentially handicapping the likes of Anderson, who can still occasionally struggle on his doubles.

A resurgent Phil Taylor will be a threat, but van Gerwen looks certain to at least make finals night, and by the time May rolls around, there is every chance he will be back to the very top of his game.

The Northern Echo: Michael van Gerwen showed the brilliance of a world champion at Odsal

GODSMEJUDGE TO WIN THE GRAND NATIONAL (33-1)

It might seem very early to be throwing around the names of Grand National contenders, but the ante-post markets are already well formed and this is the time to be getting a bit of value on a horse that could shorten markedly before the day.

Alan King’s Godsmejudge has finished first and second in the last two Scottish Grand Nationals, and has also finished in the top three in the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

A reliable jumper who stays all day, he looks the perfect type for the unique challenge of the Grand National, and King has hinted that he will line up at Aintree provided that all goes to plan. If that happens, he’ll be a lot shorter than 33-1 come April.

The Northern Echo: Swindon jockey Wayne Hutchinson with Godsmejudge after winning the Scottish Grand National on Saturday

A FIRST-TIME WINNER OF A MEN’S GRAND SLAM (5-4)

Men’s tennis is a state of flux at the moment, with major question marks over the fitness of Rafael Nadal and form of Andy Murray. Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer could well add to their tally of Grand Slam titles over the next 12 months, but this could well be the year when the ‘next generation’ begin to make their mark.

The likes of Ken Nishikori, Grigor Dimitrov, Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonic have already figured prominently at the business end of previous Grand Slams, and there is a good chance of one of them stepping out of the pack to lift a major trophy.

This month’s Australian Open might well offer the best chance of that happening, although the US Open also has a record for occasionally throwing up a surprise.

The Northern Echo: Japan's Kei Nishikori, pictured, celebrates his US Open semi-final victory over Novak Djokovic (AP)

RICKIE FOWLER TO WIN A MAJOR (11-2)

The mantle of ‘the best player not to win a Major’ gets passed around repeatedly, and currently resides with American Rickie Fowler, who knocked on the door repeatedly in 2014, only to fail to break it down.

The 26-year-old finished in the top five of all four Majors last year, a remarkable record that underlines the consistency of his play and his ability to cope with all conditions.

Taking the final step to actually win a big one can sometimes be the hardest challenge, but Fowler looks to have the game and attitude to enable him to cope with the pressures of a close final day. This should be the year when he takes his place among the elite.

The Northern Echo: Rickie Fowler hit four birdies in his first 10 holes at the Open

YORKSHIRE TO WIN THE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP (5-2)

Having claimed their first county crown in 13 years last summer, Yorkshire will attempt to retain their title when the season resumes in April. For all that they will inevitably suffer from international call-ups, it would be foolish to bet against them doing so.

The White Rose boast a much deeper squad than any of their rivals, and that will enable them to cope if England come calling for the likes of Adam Lyth, Alex Lees and Gary Ballance this summer.

Nottinghamshire are likely to be their closest rivals, with Durham capable of mounting a viable title challenge if some of their younger players continue to progress. It is hard to look past Yorkshire at this stage, however, such was the extent of their dominance last season.

The Northern Echo: Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com - 09/07/2014 - Cricket - LV County Championship Div One - Yorkshire CCC v Durham CCC, Day 3 - Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds, England - Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan is congratulated on dismissing Durham's Gordon Mu

GERMANY TO WIN THE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WORLD CUP (4-1)

Having claimed the men’s World Cup last summer, Germany’s women will be hoping to complete a notable double when they kick off the female equivalent in Canada in June.

The reigning European champions claimed the world crown in 2003 and 2007, and look as strong as ever following their 4-0 trouncing of England at Wembley in November.

England are better than that result suggests and should be competitive this summer, while USA are strong favourites given their pedigree in the women’s game. German football is riding the crest of a wave at the moment, though, and the women’s team look set for more glory.

The Northern Echo:

NEW ZEALAND TO WIN THE RUGBY WORLD CUP (6-4)

The best will arguably be saved for last in 2015, with England hosting the Rugby World Cup in September and October. Stuart Lancaster’s side start as second favourites, but cannot be backed on the evidence of their recent performances, which have been patchy at best.

Ireland could well prove the best of the home nations, while Australia are improving and South Africa are typically strong. Reigning champions New Zealand are on a completely different level to everyone else, though, and cannot be taken on.

The All Blacks shook off their reputation as chokers when they triumphed on home soil four years ago, and have lost none of their lustre since. With world-class players in every position, it will be a major surprise if they are not celebrating at Twickenham on October 31.

The Northern Echo: New Zealand celebrate winning the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The All Blacks are due to play at the Olympic Stadium in the 2015 competition

 

HOW DID THE TIPS FOR 2014 FARE?

CORRECT: Great Britain to win three or more Winter Olympics medals (3-1), Real Madrid to win the Champions League (9-2), Andy Murray not to win a Grand Slam (7-4), England to top the Commonwealth Games medal table (5-2), Europe to win the Ryder Cup (10-11)

INCORRECT: Wales to win the Six Nations, Dodging Bullets to win the Arkle Challenge Trophy, South Africa to win cricket’s World Twenty20, Adam Scott to win at least one Major, Uruguay to win Group D at the World Cup.

* A £5 bet on each of last year’s selections would have returned a profit of £38.25