Sports Personality of the Year: Latest Odds

The top ten contenders for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award 2011 have officially been announced with golf leading the way. Darren Clarke (9/4 Skybet) would be a popular choice after he won the British Open at Royal St George’s in July. The 43-year-old man from Northern Ireland was runner-up at the ceremony in 2006.

Clarke’s fellow-countryman Rory McIlroy (9/1 Bet365) is another contender after he demolished the field at the US Open at Congressional Club. At 22, he became the youngest winner of that major since 1923; the 8-shot margin of victory made it all the more memorable. McIlroy has also now risen to number two in the world rankings. The only man above him is Englishman Luke Donald - a 33/1 shot (Betfred) to scoop the prestigious award. Skybet offer 6/5 on one of the golfers taking the big prize.

The man to beat on 22 December appears to be cyclist Mark Cavendish - the 6/5 favourite with Ladbrokes. He became Britain’s first winner of the Tour de France green jersey; the award for the race’s best sprinter. The 26-year-old has now won 20 Tour de France stages over his career which puts him sixth on the all-time list. He crowned his victory by claiming a frenetic sprint finish on the Champs-Elysees. Cavendish also became this country’s first male world road race champion for 46 years in 2011.

Cricket is represented by Alistair Cook (66/1 Boylesports) and England captain Andrew Strauss (100/1 PaddyPower). The long odds suggest that their best hopes lie in the team award category however. Mo Farah (8/1 WilliamHill) is athletics’ best hope this year after his 5,000m gold medal in the Wolrd Championships in Daegu. Welshman Dai Greene (100/1 Totesport) was also a winner in the 400m hurdles. With the London Olympics just round the corner, these two will hope to be contenders again this time next year. 

Boxer Amir Khan (100/1 Coral) and tennis nearly man Andy Murray (100/1 Bet365) complete the shortlist for the BBC showcase.

All odds given are best on the market. Simply click on any of the links, sign up with the relevant bookie and claim your free bets.