Is there value in SPOTY?

Anthony Joshua is odds-on to claim the Sports Personality of the Year award next month.

The Bookmakers believe the heavyweight world champion, who successfully defended his three titles with the stoppage of Carlos Takam at the weekend, will win and succeed Andy Murray as the holder.

Joshua has enjoyed a hugely successful year which began with the defeat of Ukrainian legend Wladimir Klitschko.

On the back of this, Joshua is now tipped to become the first boxer to win the prestigious BBC award since Joe Calzaghe claimed the honour in 2007 – but at 1/3 generally in the market – is there value to be had? OddsMonkey believes there could be…

“What you have to remember here is that this is a public vote, and that does not always mean the favourite can come in – at 1/3 that looks very short indeed to us,” said OddsMonkey spokesman Peter Watton.

“Generally it looks like we have a five-horse market with new Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton second favourite, ahead of Tour De France winner Chris Froome and world Athletics champions Mo Farah.

“But the really interesting one for us in this market is Jermain Defoe – priced at around 16/1 generally, fifth favourite. He is listed because of his wonderful work with the brilliant Bradley Lowery – who passed away with cancer earlier this year. The six-year-old Sunderland fan struck up a friendship with the England striker, and was at his bed side throughout his illness.

“Defoe was amazing, what he did – he did not do for publicity or for his own benefit. The public know this and barring Defoe getting a separate award for his work, he is a real contender and at 20/1 a real bargain – we feel he could get traction before the night and his odds will only come in.”

Sports Personality of the Year Award odds:
Anthony Joshua – 1/3 (bet365)
Lewis Hamilton – 15/2 (SunBets)
Chris Froome – 10/1 (PaddyPower)
Mo Farah – 16/1 (Ladbrokes)
Jermain Defoe – 20/1 (SportingBet)