BBC Sports Personality of the Year prediction, free betting tip

When to watch

BBC1, 8pm Sunday

It's Lewis Hamilton's to lose as the BBC prepares for its annual back-slap in the company of Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and the gang from a deserted Media City in Salford.

Hamilton is proving as uncatchable in betting for top sportsperson honours as he is at the wheel of his car, fending off an interesting array of challengers who surely can't hold a candle to him.

Voting is open to the public while the programme is being screened tomorrow and here's the rundown of the sextet of sports stars seeking to strike gold.

Stuart Broad Cricket

Veteran of 140 Test matches for England and the seventh most successful bowler in Test history with 514 wickets.

He followed team-mate Jimmy Anderson through the 500-wicket barrier and finished the year with 38 wickets at 14.76.

Threw his toys out of the pram when being dropped for the first Test against West Indies – which England lost without him – but responded in style by being named Player of the Series as England hit back to win the series 2-1.

For Nice bloke who has made headbands fashionable again.

Against His team-mate Ben Stokes won it last year.

Hollie Doyle Horseracing

The most successful female jockey ever in a single season, breaking the record she had set 12 months previously when riding her 117th winner of the year in October and now closing on 150.

The 24-year-old finished fourth in the Flat Jockeys' Championship, the highest placing by a woman, and recorded her first Group One success on Glen Shiel on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot when she stole headlines with a double.

Was rewarded for an exceptional year by being named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year, following the likes of Paula Radcliffe and Jessica Ennis-Hill into that particular winner's enclosure.

For Smiling all the way to the top and smashing glass ceilings in the process.

Against Only once in the 66-year history of this event has a jockey won (Sir Anthony McCoy, 2010).

Tyson Fury Boxing

The term 'personality' doesn't seem to mean a whole lot in this competition these days – if it did Tyson Fury would be odds-on to land it.

The colourful Gypsy King became a two-time world heavyweight champ in February with a devastating defeat of Deontay Wilder.

The performance itself was explosive; what made it even more impressive was the fact that it came just a few short years after winning fights with drugs, alcoholism and depression, factors which saw him stripped of his boxing licence.

For Everyone loves a heavyweight champ, especially one with a tale to tell. He's also asked people not to vote for him, which may well endear him to the public more.

Against Has spent less than 25 minutes in the ring in 2020 – and that was pre-lockdown.

Lewis Hamilton Motor racing

Forget the 'is it the car, is it the driver?' debate because the bottom line is that Hamilton etched his name in the F1 history books in 2020 when he equalled Michael Schumacher's record haul of seven drivers' championships.

In doing so the fastest man on the grid also eclipsed the German's record for most race wins.

On top of that, in a year when the Black Lives Matter message went global, Hamilton proved to be an coherent and voluble campaigner.

For A seven-time world champion and flagbearer for Black Lives Matter is quite the win double.

Against Has won it before.

Jordan Henderson Football

Liverpool's 30-year wait for the title is over and since the real masterminds of their success (Jurgen Klopp, Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and others) aren't eligible, the panel settled on the bloke who wore the armband.

That man is Jordan Henderson, a man who has spent much of his career trying to win over critics, and has had the last laugh, doubling up league success with being honoured as the Football Writers' Player of the Year.

For There are millions of football fans around the country who adore Liverpool.

Against There are millions of footy fans around the country who loathe Liverpool.

Ronnie O'Sullivan Snooker

The Rocket reckoned he sneaked in through the back door because the sporting calendar was truncated this year and he won't have endeared himself to the BBC this week by asking what the award's for.

That impishness, however, is what makes O'Sullivan box office with snooker fans most of whom reckon the sport would be dead without him. In among countless bizarre press conferences was a sixth world title at the grand old age of 44, earning this first-ever nomination.

For Boasts a passionate following and punters may want to crown a maverick.

Against Parlour sports tend not to cut it – just ask 16-time world darts champion Phil Taylor.

Verdict

Ronnie O'Sullivan knows exactly how to push buttons and questioning what the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year prize is all about – on the eve of the thing – is pretty smart.

Now firmly on the radar and with an army of fans to call on to pick up the phone, Ronnie O'Sullivan has to be in with a shout.

Snooker fans and cooing grandmothers all got to watch The Rocket win at The Crucible because it was on the BBC and Grannies in Lockdown could well be a potent voting force.

Lewis Hamilton has won it before but he looks sure to win it again for so very many reasons, only one of which is being world F1 champ.

Best bet

R O'Sullivan without L Hamilton
1pt 11-4 bet365