Top 5 Favorites to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year

There are a number of worthy contenders, but here are the top 5 favorites to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2016.

Andy Murray

After his amazing victory at the Men’s Wimbledon Championship this year, as well as retaining his Olympic title in Brazil, Andy Murray is currently at the top of the list of favorites to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Murray is no stranger to the competition. He has won the award in both 2013 and 2015, and nearly won in 2012. There may be no other athlete with as large a list of accomplishments this year, and right now, most online sportsbooks in the UK list Murray as a serious betting favorite to win the prestigious award.

Andy Murray’s betting odds are currently set at 1/7, according to NetBet Sportsbook. There are no signs that he will slow down anytime soon, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Murray in this same place next year.

Alistair Brownlee

Triathlons are considered to be one of the toughest sporting events on the planet, and the world’s greatest triathlete was born and raised in the UK. Alistair Brownlee made British sporting history by becoming the first man to retain the men’s triathlon title at the 2016 Olympic Games.

This amazing accomplishment might be sufficient enough for Brownlee to win the Sports Personality of the Year, but that’s not all he’s done. During the Triathlon World Series in Mexico, he helped his exhausted brother cross the finish line ahead of him.

Brownlee is second in the favorites to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year with odds of 17/2. He is a great role model for young athletes to look up to, and has accomplished more than almost anyone else in his respective sport.

Mo Farah

Somali-born Londoner Mo Farah was nothing short of incredible at the 2016 Olympic Games. He joined a short list of athletes who have completed a “double-double,” by retaining both the 5000m and 10,000m runs.

There’s a strong case to be made that Farah is the best athlete in British Olympic history. In addition to this, he also holds most of the distance running records throughout Europe. Despite his incredible list of achievements, Farah has never won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, but that could certainly change in 2016.

Mo Farah is now the third most likely athlete to win this year’s award. NetBet Sportsbook lists his odds to win at 18/1, meaning a bet on Farah here could earn you serious money.

Laura Trott

Laura Trott (or Kenny, depending on who you ask) made UK gambling news this year by becoming the first British woman to win four Olympic gold medals in Omnium. She also took first place at the 2016 World Track Cycling Championships.

These impressive accomplishments have placed her as fourth in the list of favorites to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Trott is also known for being part of the “cycling dream team” alongside her husband Jason Kenny, who holds numerous Olympic gold medals of his own.

Trott is certainly deserving of the title, but she faces some extremely talented athletes in the betting lines ahead of her. Laura Trott’s odds to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year are currently set at 18/1.

Gareth Bale

One of Wales’ best footballers ever is one of the top 5 favorites to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2016. Bale joined Real Madrid in 2013 for a massive £85 million fee, and has helped the Spanish team win five trophies in the past three years, including the Champions League twice.

At just 27 years of age, Bale is one of the most successful footballers in the world, and is on a short list for the 2016 Ballon d’Or award. This is the first time he has been nominated for the sports personality award.

Gareth Bale is the biggest underdog on this list with odds of 30/1. At this point it does seem unlikely, as the athletes above him have arguably accomplished more, but he is as much a living legend in the UK as David Hodgson footballer, and certainly has a chance to win.

Who do you think will win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2016? Will it be someone we listed? Tell us what you think by leaving a comment below, and make sure to check out NetBet Sportsbook to find all the best betting odds for UK sports!