Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson selects his top ten sporting bets for the next 12 months
ENGLAND TO WIN THE SIX NATIONS (2-1)
Last year’s Rugby World Cup was an unmitigated disaster from an English perspective, but in Eddie Jones, the RFU appear to have identified the ideal man to engineer a rapid reversal of fortunes.
For all that they flopped on home soil, England boast a depth of talent that is the envy of all the other Home Nations, and if Jones can successfully harness that ability, a first Six Nations title since 2011 should be in the offing.
There should be a bounce from the appointment of a new coach, and Jones is likely to be much more adventurous than his predecessor, Stuart Lancaster, when it comes to promoting youth and selecting players on form rather than reputation.
The Six Nations schedule is also in England’s favour, with matches against Scotland and Italy representing a relatively easy start before the two key games, against Ireland and Wales, take place at Twickenham.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS TO WIN THE SUPERBOWL (100-30)
The Patriots started the American football season as favourites to defend their Superbowl title, and nothing that has happened in the last few months has weakened the belief that the reigning champions will once again be the team to beat come Superbowl 50 in San Francisco.
They boast the best quarterback in the incomparable Tom Brady, a head coach who has been there and done it time and time again in four-time Superbowl winner Bill Belichick, and a squad that boasts extensive experience of triumphing in big matches.
Their current 12-3 record sees them at the top of the AFC East, and should mean they secure a bye through the first play-off round.
Last weekend’s defeat to the New York Jets will have hurt given the franchises’ bitter rivalry, but the Patriots had some key players missing and there is no need for concern. Come the games that matter, they’ll almost certainly be at their peak.
MIN TO WIN THE SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE (4-1)
Willie Mullins’ dominance of the Cheltenham Festival will almost certainly continue come March, but while the Irish champion trainer boasts a stable-full of superstars, most are already being quoted at prohibitive odds, such is their long-standing dominance over their rivals.
The likes of Douvan, Faugheen, Annie Power, Un De Sceaux and Vautour will feature in many a roll-up bet come the start of the Festival, but for now, it’s worth keeping your powder dry because they’re already as short as they’re likely to be on the day.
That’s not true of Min, Mullins’ latest superstar novice who has only had one run over hurdles, but who is already an ante-post favourite for the Supreme such was the ease of his victory at Punchestown and the power of his reputation amongst those in the know in Ireland.
Mullins has made a habit of winning the Supreme in recent years, and Min already looks a likely successor to Vautour and Douvan, who have triumphed in the race in the last two seasons. With Min pencilled in for another potential outing in the middle of January, get on now before the price disappears.
AUSTRALIA TO WIN THE WORLD TWENTY20 (5-1)
Having won the Cricket World Cup on home soil last year, Australia will attempt to add the Twenty20 title to their list of honours this spring, and as second favourites, there’s plenty in their favour.
Most of the side that won the one-day title are equally as adept in the Twenty20 sphere, with the likes of David Warner, Steve Smith, Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell proven in the shortest format.
Australia have been the world’s most consistent side in all spheres in the last 12 months, and while the current Test series with the West Indies is hardly exerting them, forthcoming match-ups with India and New Zealand should provide an ideal preparation for the World T20, which begins in March.
Hosts India will be hard to beat on home soil, New Zealand will be typically competitive and England have improved markedly in the shorter formats since their World Cup horror-show. As things stand though, Australia look the team to beat.
BAYERN MUNICH TO WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (11-4)
Barcelona remain the darlings of European football, and with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in partnership, the likely La Liga winners are strong favourites to retain the Champions League title.
However, the fact that Barcelona have been so well supported means there’s value to be had elsewhere, and at the prices, Bayern Munich scream out as a value proposition at 11-4.
Pep Guardiola’s side continue to sweep all before them in the Bundesliga, and their Champions League performances to date have been hugely impressive, with the highlight coming courtesy of a 5-1 demolition of Arsenal.
A last-16 tie against Juventus is hardly a gimme, but with the likes of Franck Ribery, Thiago Alcantara and Arjen Robben all set to be fresh in the second half of the season after injury lay-offs in the first half of the campaign, Bayern can ensure Guardiola leaves the Allianz Arena on a high.
STAN WAWRINKA TO WIN A GRAND SLAM (3-1)
Novak Djokovic’s dominance of men’s tennis is set to continue, but the world number one is 1-14 to add to his tally of Grand Slam titles this year so is hardly a betting proposition.
He could well win two or three titles in 2016, but he’s unlikely to claim all four, and with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal seemingly on the wane, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka are the likeliest other champions.
Murray is more than capable of adding to his two Grand Slam titles, but for all that he swept Britain to glory in the David Cup, the Scot displayed signs of frailty at the business end of last year’s majors.
Wawrinka won the French Open and reached the semi-finals in Australia and the US, and is rapidly establishing himself as the ‘best of the rest’ behind Djokovic. At 3-1, he’s worth supporting to claim a third Grand Slam title at some stage this year.
JORDAN SPIETH TO WIN A MAJOR (7-4)
Spieth’s Major record last year was remarkable, with the American winning the US Masters and US Open, and also finishing in the top four at the Open and USPGA.
There’s no reason to suggest he’ll be any less competitive in the next 12 months, which makes odds of around 7-4 on him to claim another Major hugely appealing.
The likes of Rory McIroy, Jason Day and Dustin Johnson should be at the head of affairs once again, but Spieth is a proven winner, with a unflappable attitude and an all-round game that enables him to challenge at all four Majors, no matter what the conditions.
He’ll have to deal with an increase in pressure this season, but despite not turning 23 until July, looks more than capable of handling the added expectation.
EDEN THE KID TO MAKE THE FINAL OF THE GREYHOUND DERBY (17-2)
The Greyhound Derby is a gruelling challenge that sees the best dogs in the country having to come through six rounds of racing just to make the final. Last year, an initial field of 273 greyhounds set out in pursuit of the prize, so an ante-post bet before racing begins obviously comes with risks attached.
That said, the prices reflect that, so it’s worth a dabble on Eden The Kid, whose odds of 33-1 effectively mean you’re getting more than 8-1 on him to make the six-dog final if you back him ante-post.
Liz McNair’s three-year-old was third in last year’s Derby final behind Rio Quattro, despite being the youngest dog to make the last six, and should be much better this year for the experience of coming through the Wimbledon rounds.
He’s been running well enough throughout the autumn, and while he was turned over at Nottingham last time out, his trainer is adept at readying one for when it really matters.
BELGIUM TO WIN THEIR GROUP AT EURO 2016 (11-10)
The European Championships will dominate the sporting agenda at the start of the summer, but while Germany are probably the likeliest winners at this stage, the market for the overall champions doesn’t make a lot of appeal.
There’s a host of other betting opportunities on offer though – I’m tempted by odds of around 5-2 on Northern Ireland failing to pick up a single point – and as things stand, the best bet could well be Belgium winning Group E.
With a host of Premier League stars to call upon, Belgium, who are currently 12-1 shots for the tournament, could well go all the way, but for now, it’s worth backing them to emerge triumphant from a group that has been labelled the ‘Group of Death’.
In truth, it’s no such thing. Republic of Ireland are a poor side, Sweden are Zlatan Ibrahimovich and ten others, while Italy are notoriously slow starters in a tournament setting. With that in mind, Belgium should comfortably finish top of the pile.
JESSICA ENNIS-HILL TO WIN OLYMPIC HEPTATHLON GOLD (7-4)
The Rio Olympics are this year’s biggest sporting event, but most bookmakers are still to price up the majority of markets. Britain look well set to retain their place in the top four of the medal table, but are odds-on with most firms to do so.
Jess Ennis is a much more attractive price, largely because most bookies appear to be unable to split her from her compatriot in the heptathlon, Katarina Johnson-Thompson. The pair are vying for favouritism, but Ennis is surely the likelier winner.
Plenty of observers feel Johnson-Thompson would have won last year’s World title had she not produced three fouls in the long jump, but I’m not sure things would have been that simple and her failure to produce under pressure is worrying given that things will crank up another level or two for the Olympics.
Ennis is a proven performer at the major events, and having suffered an interrupted preparation ahead of last year’s World Championships in Beijing, the 29-year-old should be even better this summer. If she kicks on again, she is more than capable of defending her Olympic crown.
HOW DID THE TIPS FOR 2015 FARE?
Correct:
Australia to win the Cricket World Cup (5-2)
Faugheen to win the Champion Hurdle (6-4)
Yorkshire to win the County Championship (5-2)
New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup (6-4)
Incorrect:
Bayern Munich to win the Champions League
Michael van Gerwen to win the Premier League Darts
Godsmejudge to win the Grand National
A first-time winner of a men’s tennis Grand Slam
Rickie Fowler to win a Major
Germany to win the Women’s World Cup
A £10 bet on each of last year’s selections would have returned a profit of £20.
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