Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson selects his ten best sporting bets for 2019


NOVAK DJOKOVIC TO WIN THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN (11-8)

Let’s start the year with what looks a sure-fire winner. Novak Djokovic is a strong favourite for the Australian Open, which begins later this month, and he deserves to be. With question marks over his leading rivals, he is by far the likeliest winner in the men’s draw.

Neither Roger Federer nor Rafael Nadal tends to excel on Australia’s hard courts, and Andy Murray is still in the early stages of his comeback from injury. Alexander Zverev is respected, and having won the ATP finals in November, this could be the Russian’s breakthrough year. At this stage, though, a rested and refreshed Djokovic remains well ahead of him.


MANCHESTER CITY TO WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (3-1)

They might have fallen behind Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title, but when it comes to the Champions League, Manchester City remain the team to beat. Barcelona and Real Madrid have both shown signs of vulnerability this season, Bayern Munich are far from the team they once were, and Paris St Germain still have to prove they can do it in the really big games.

Manchester City have the best attacking line-up in Europe, face an inviting last-16 tie against Schalke, and will hopefully have a fit-again Kevin de Bruyne available for the latter stages. While Liverpool will focus their attentions on the Premier League, City can conquer the continent.


DELTA WORK TO WIN THE RSA CHASE AT THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL (6-1)

With a host of stars having had their reputations dented over Christmas, most of the big races at March’s Cheltenham Festival look wide open. Buveur D’Air should bounce back in the Champion Hurdle, but he’s a short enough price, while Altior is already heavily odds-on for what should be a stroll in the Champion Chase.

For a bit of ante-post value, take the 6-1 on offer about Delta Work in the RSA Chase on the Festival’s second day. Gordon Elliott’s novice chaser won over hurdles in last year’s Pertemps and has looked a natural over the bigger obstacles, winning all three of his races this season.


JON RAHM TO WIN A MAJOR (6-1)

The phrase ‘Major winner in waiting’ gets bandied around quite a lot in golf, but few players have suited it better than Jon Rahm, the big-hitting Spaniard who has developed into one of the finest players in the world in the last 12 months.

His victory in last month’s Hero World Challenge confirmed his ability to beat the best, and he finished in the top four at both the US Masters and USPGA last year. With his confidence having been further lifted by his fine showing at the Ryder Cup, this should be the year when Rahm finally claims one of the big ones.


CAMERON CHAMP EACH-WAY IN THE US MASTERS (33-1)

If you haven’t heard of Cameron Champ yet, chances are you’ll know all about him by the end of this year. The 23-year-old is in his first full season on the USPGA Tour, and claimed his first Tour title when he won the Sanderson Farms Championship in October.

A talented ball striker, with a temperament to match, Champ looks destined for great things, and while the fact he will be making his Augusta debut in April could count against him, he still looks a great each-way shout for the Masters. By the time the other Majors roll around, he could be starting at half the price he is now.


ANTHONY VAN DYCK EACH-WAY IN THE DERBY (16-1)

Too Darn Hot currently tops the ante-post market for both the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby, but while John Gosden’s star juvenile should be extremely hard to beat in the first Classic of the season, his ability to see out the Derby trip is far from assured.

On pedigree, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Anthony Van Dyck looks like being much better suited to a mile-and-a-half, and while he finished behind Too Darn Hot in the Dewhurst Stakes in October, he looks more than capable of turning the tables at Epsom. At his current odds, an each-way investment looks the way to go.


ENGLAND TO WIN THE NATIONS LEAGUE (5-2)

It won’t quite make up for the disappointment of failing to make the World Cup final last summer, but England can finally end their major trophy drought when they compete in the inaugural Nations League finals in Portugal in June.

Gareth Southgate’s side have been drawn against Holland in the semi-finals, and will face either Portugal or Switzerland if they come through that game. With their youngsters growing in confidence and experience all the time, they’re the best side left in the tournament on paper, and can confirm their superiority on the pitch.


UNITED STATES TO WIN THE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WORLD CUP (5-2)

Phil Neville’s England team will travel to this summer’s Women’s World Cup full of confidence, but while they have soared up the world rankings in the last few years, they will have to be at their very best to replicate their male equivalents’ achievements of reaching the last four.

They could do it, but the United States are a much safer bet in terms of predicting the overall winners. The US are the top-ranked side in the world, and thrashed Japan 5-2 in the final of the 2015 tournament in Canada. If anything, they have got even better since then, and they will take some beating in France.


NEW ZEALAND TO MAKE THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE CRICKET WORLD CUP (3-1)

England will start as favourites as they attempt to make the most of home advantage this summer, but while Eoin Morgan’s side are more than capable of claiming their first 50-over World Cup crown, their current odds make limited appeal.

India could push them close – most of their matches will feel like an Indian home game – but at much bigger odds, New Zealand should not be underestimated. They will enjoy the English conditions, and while they might fall short in the knock-out stages, they look a stand-out bet to make it through the group stage and qualify for the semi-finals.

IRELAND TO MAKE THE RUGBY WORLD CUP FINAL (100-30)

The Rugby World Cup tends to throw up a surprise or two, but less than a year out, this autumn’s World Cup in Japan looks like a two-horse race. New Zealand are the best team in the Southern Hemisphere, Ireland are the best team in the Northern Hemisphere. All things being equal, there is every chance they will meet in the final.

Picking the winner of that game is difficult without knowing the form of the teams, so the wise move is to back Ireland to make the final at 100-30. Once that money is banked, you can sit back and enjoy the game.