SPOTY 2016 tips: Brownlee a brilliant each-way bet behind Murray
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SPOTY 2016 tips: Alistair Brownlee each-way appeals
A cursory glance at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year betting (or SPOTY 2016 tips for short) shows this year’s award is destined to go to Wimbledon and Olympic men’s singles champion Andy Murray, who is now world number one in tennis.
While Scottish racket star Murray is an overwhelming odds-on 1/8 favourite with Coral to win SPOTY outright and the same price versus the field, the hearts of the British nation were also touched this autumn by the sportsmanship of Alistair Brownlee.
A selfless act of fraternal love moved the Yorkshireman to aid brother Jonny, who had been leading the final 2016 ITU World Triathlon Series event in Mexico only to suffer the ill-effects of heat exhaustion in the closing stages of the 10km run.
Surrendering any chance of winning that race to help his sibling thus makes Alistair Brownlee each-way a very intriguing punt at 7/1. Coral offer a quarter of the outright odds to finish second, putting him effectively at 7/4.
It’s smarter to get on this gamble about the Olympic Triathlon champion rather than the betting without Murray market, because Brownlee is the 4/5 favourite, with a fifth of the odds available on three places (second, third and fourth).
Mo Farah bets another attractive each-way wager
Of other SPOTY 2016 tips, dual long-distance double Olympic Gold medallist Mo Farah looks the best value among each-way bets at 6/1 in the without Murray market.
Farah’s fantastic form over 5k and 10k on the athletics track is crying out for recognition, as the Somalian-born runner is now among the all-time running greats.
Now with nine World Athletics Championships and Olympic Golds to his credit, Mo Farah bets will surely attract plenty of support.
Challenging him for the places are Gareth Bale (5/1 without Murray), who spearheaded Wales’ incredible run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals. An untimely injury sustained playing for Real Madrid that has ruled him out until next year may count against him.
Farah isn’t the only London 2012 winner to defend his titles in Rio de Janeiro, with cyclist Laura Kenny (nee Trott) doing likewise in the women’s team pursuit and omnium disciplines in the velodrome.
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