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  • Raheem Sterling Next Club Odds: How the Market Played Out Before His Feyenoord Move

    Raheem Sterling Next Club Odds: How the Market Played Out Before His Feyenoord Move

    🚨 UPDATE: Raheem Sterling left Chelsea by mutual consent in January 2026 and signed for Feyenoord as a free agent on 12 February 2026 on a deal until the end of the season. None of the pre-window favourites completed a move. Sterling made six appearances for Feyenoord, registering one assist, before the club ruled out a contract extension. He left Rotterdam at the end of May 2026.

    When Raheem Sterling’s situation at Chelsea became public knowledge in late 2025, the betting markets moved quickly. The 30-year-old had not featured for Enzo Maresca’s side all season, frozen out of the squad alongside Axel Disasi following an unsuccessful loan spell at Arsenal the previous campaign. With the January transfer window approaching, bookmakers opened a next club market and Crystal Palace were installed as 9/4 favourites, ahead of Bayern Munich at 7/2 and Fulham at 5/1.

    As it turned out, Sterling took a different path entirely, spending several weeks as a free agent after Chelsea terminated his contract before choosing Feyenoord, managed by Robin van Persie, over around 18 clubs who had registered an interest according to BBC Sport.

    How Sterling’s Chelsea Career Ended

    Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City in July 2022 for £47.5 million under Thomas Tuchel, who had pushed hard for the signing. In his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge, he made 59 Premier League appearances under four different managers during a turbulent period for the club under BlueCo ownership. When Enzo Maresca was appointed in the summer of 2024, Sterling was loaned to Arsenal but failed to make a lasting impact at the Emirates. He returned to Chelsea to find himself without a pathway back into the first team and effectively placed in the club’s so-called bomb squad alongside other players Maresca had no use for.

    Attempts to negotiate a permanent exit over the summer of 2025 failed, with proposed moves to both Fulham and West Ham collapsing before a deal was concluded. Sterling then agreed a mutual termination of his contract in January 2026, receiving a settlement on the final 18 months of a deal worth in excess of £300,000 per week. His Chelsea chapter ended without the impact the club had hoped for when they paid a significant fee to bring him from Manchester City three years earlier.

    Raheem Sterling Next Club Odds (December 2025)

    Odds correct at time of original publication, December 2025.

    Club or Option Odds Implied Chance
    Crystal Palace 9/4 30.8%
    Bayern Munich 7/2 22.2%
    Fulham 5/1 16.7%
    Manchester United 9/1 10.0%
    Any Saudi Arabian Team 14/1 6.7%
    Any MLS Team 14/1 6.7%
    Leeds United 16/1 5.9%
    Liverpool 25/1 3.8%

    Crystal Palace at 9/4 (Did Not Sign Him)

    Crystal Palace led the market at 9/4, with Oliver Glasner’s interest in adding proven top-flight experience to his attacking options well documented. Sterling’s ability to operate on either wing made him a natural fit for Palace’s system and Selhurst Park would have given him the chance to rebuild his Premier League reputation at a club with genuine ambitions. The interest was real, but Sterling ultimately chose to leave England entirely rather than stay in the Premier League at a mid-table club.

    Bayern Munich at 7/2 (Did Not Sign Him)

    Bayern Munich’s presence at 7/2 reflected their history of moving for experienced players on attractive terms when contracts allow. Sterling’s Champions League record and versatility across the front line would have appealed, and a move to the Bundesliga would have kept him at the top level of European football. However, Bayern tend to prioritise signings with long-term resale value, and at 30 Sterling did not fit that profile closely enough for the move to materialise.

    Fulham at 5/1 (Did Not Sign Him)

    Fulham had shown genuine interest in Sterling over the summer before a deal collapsed, making their 5/1 price reasonable given that background. Marco Silva wanted more competition in wide areas and Sterling’s Premier League experience would have been valuable. Wage demands were reported to be the central sticking point in the summer negotiations, and those same financial considerations appear to have prevented a move in January as well.

    The Rest of the Market

    Manchester United at 9/1 reflected mild speculation rather than firm interest, with the club focused on younger attacking options at that stage of their rebuild. Saudi Arabia and MLS at 14/1 each were logical destinations given the financial packages available and Sterling’s profile as a globally recognised player, while Leeds at 16/1 would only have been viable had Sterling been willing to drop to the Championship. Liverpool at 25/1 was always unlikely given the manner of his departure from Anfield and the squad Arne Slot had built since taking charge.

    Why Sterling Chose Feyenoord

    Sterling signed for Feyenoord on 12 February 2026, making his competitive debut in a 2-1 win over Telstar on 22 February, his first competitive appearance in nine months. The draw of playing under Robin van Persie, a former Manchester United and Arsenal striker who understood the demands on a forward at the highest level, was a significant factor. Feyenoord were second in the Eredivisie and in contention for Champions League qualification, which gave the move genuine sporting credibility beyond simply finding a club willing to take him on.

    Van Persie went to considerable lengths to accommodate Sterling before his Dutch work permit was granted, moving the entire squad to a training camp in Tubize, Belgium, so Sterling could train with his new team-mates immediately. In his official statement, Sterling said he had wanted to take his time as a free agent to speak with clubs and understand the role they envisioned for him, and that Feyenoord offered the clarity and footballing environment he was looking for.

    How Sterling’s Feyenoord Spell Played Out

    The Rotterdam experiment did not deliver the revival either party had hoped for. Sterling made six appearances for Feyenoord across all competitions, accumulating 349 minutes of league action and registering one assist, a well-taken through ball for Ayase Ueda in a comeback win over Excelsior in March. He struggled to find consistent form and fitness after a prolonged period without regular football, and after a difficult showing in the De Klassieker against Ajax, Van Persie publicly warned that his contributions needed to improve if he was to remain in the plans.

    By April, it was clear the move had not worked as intended. Feyenoord’s hierarchy ruled out a contract extension, with the Algemeen Dagblad reporting that despite Sterling remaining professional in training and accepting his reduced role, the club saw no path to a longer arrangement. Some Dutch pundits were blunt in their assessment. Sterling left the club when his contract expired at the end of May 2026, with his future in football uncertain and a decision on whether to continue playing or retire still to be made heading into the summer.

    Sterling’s Career in Numbers

    Whatever comes next, Sterling’s career record stands as one of the most impressive of his generation among English players. He made 403 senior club appearances across his career, scoring 124 goals and winning four Premier League titles with Manchester City, one FA Cup, four League Cups and two Community Shields. He earned 82 caps for England, scoring 20 international goals, and ranks second among active players for Premier League goals scored at the time of his Chelsea exit. His time at Feyenoord was a difficult final chapter, but it does not change the quality of what came before it across a career that stretched from breaking into Liverpool’s first team as a teenager to winning the biggest trophies in club football.

    For more transfer market and manager odds coverage, see our Next Chelsea Manager Odds and the latest Next Premier League Manager to Be Sacked tracker.

    All odds correct at time of original publication, December 2025. Please gamble responsibly. For help with problem gambling visit GambleAware.org. 18+.

  • Manchester Utd v West Ham Odds – Reds backed for home win

    Manchester Utd v West Ham Odds – Reds backed for home win

    Manchester United will look to build on their much improved performance at Selhurst Park as they return to Old Trafford on Thursday to complete the midweek Premier League schedule against West Ham United.

    The Red Devils responded well to their disappointing defeat against the ten men of Everton with a 2 1 win away at Crystal Palace, a venue that has caused problems for many teams in recent seasons. They now turn their attention to a West Ham side that has won four of the last five league meetings between the clubs.

    Man Utd vs West Ham Odds
    Man Utd2/5
    Draw15/4
    West Ham11/2

    Ruben Amorim did not enjoy the smoothest first December as Manchester United manager, but he will hope to begin the festive period with a positive result on home turf. His team have lost only one of their last seven Premier League matches and now sit just three points off the top four heading into Matchday Fourteen. It is a clear sign of progress that United are moving in the right direction after a turbulent opening to the campaign.

    West Ham arrive in Manchester in a difficult position. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side dropped into the bottom four on goal difference before this round of fixtures and they continue to struggle away from home. The Hammers are still waiting for their first away league win under the Portuguese coach and their lack of cutting edge was evident during Sunday’s 2 0 defeat to Liverpool, a match in which they failed to register a single shot on target. The absence of Lucas Paqueta, who was sent off in that game, leaves them without their most influential creative player.

    There is additional pressure on Amorim as he seeks to avoid a record he would prefer not to own. A defeat on Thursday would make him the fastest manager in Manchester United history to reach ten home league losses. However, recent history is on his side. The Red Devils are unbeaten in seventeen midweek Premier League home fixtures and have won their last eight of those. They will also take confidence from the fact that West Ham have not recorded back to back wins at Old Trafford since 1934.

    Despite losing four of the last five league meetings with West Ham, Manchester United can point to a much stronger long term record in this fixture. Prior to the recent dip, they had been beaten by the Irons only three times in twenty eight attempts. Amorim’s side had also won four consecutive home league games before the error strewn loss to Everton and they are favoured to get back on track at Old Trafford this week.

    West Ham had put together a three match unbeaten run before their loss to Liverpool, but they remain only marginally above the relegation zone. Their away form is a major concern, with just one league victory on the road this season, a win at Nottingham Forest in August. They did win at Old Trafford in May, but the circumstances are very different this time with United building momentum and the Hammers struggling for consistency.

    Both teams have been involved in high scoring encounters lately and both have scored in four of their last five matches. That trend could continue here, although the balance of form, fitness and squad depth points strongly towards a Manchester United victory. West Ham have seen all six of their Premier League away games fall within the two to four goals range and another challenging night on the road is expected.

    As the pressure intensifies near the foot of the table, Thursday’s meeting carries huge significance for both clubs. United aim to stay within reach of the top four while West Ham desperately search for stability as they try to steer clear of the relegation zone. For Amorim and United, this feels like a crucial opportunity to strengthen their revival.

  • Next Liverpool Manager Odds: Slot Sacked, Iraola the Favourite to Take Over

    Next Liverpool Manager Odds: Slot Sacked, Iraola the Favourite to Take Over

    🚨 UPDATE, June 2026: Arne Slot was sacked by Liverpool on 31 May 2026, one week after the end of the Premier League season. Andoni Iraola, who left Bournemouth at the end of the season, is the clear favourite to replace him, with bookmakers suspending the market given the strength of his candidacy. The odds market below reflects the December 2025 period when speculation about Slot’s position was at its peak.

    Arne Slot arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2024 as one of the more highly regarded managers in European football, having won two Eredivisie titles with Feyenoord and built a reputation for attractive, organised pressing football. His debut season exceeded almost every expectation, with Liverpool winning the Premier League title by a commanding margin and Slot becoming only the fifth manager in history to win the league in his first season at a club. The mood around Anfield going into 2025-26 was one of genuine optimism, with significant investment made in the summer transfer market including the signings of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.

    What followed was one of the most turbulent single seasons in Liverpool’s recent history. The campaign was shaped from the outset by the tragic death of Diogo Jota, a succession of injuries to key players, and a series of results that made the title-winning form of the previous year feel like a distant memory. By November 2025, Liverpool had lost six of their first 12 Premier League games, suffered a 4-1 Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield and fallen to their worst run of form since a period in 1953-54. The next manager market opened with Klopp among the early names.

    Next Liverpool Manager Odds (December 2025)

    Odds correct at time of original publication, December 2025.

    Candidate Odds Implied Chance
    Jurgen Klopp 2/1 33.3%
    Andoni Iraola 5/1 16.7%
    Oliver Glasner 6/1 14.3%
    Xabi Alonso 6/1 14.3%
    Steven Gerrard 10/1 9.1%
    Julian Nagelsmann 10/1 9.1%
    Unai Emery 10/1 9.1%
    Zinedine Zidane 12/1 7.7%

    Why Klopp Led the Market at 2/1

    Jurgen Klopp’s 2/1 price in December 2025 reflected the emotional logic of a fanbase who had grown accustomed to his style of management and were finding Slot’s more controlled, less expansive approach difficult to accept. Klopp had left Anfield at the end of 2023-24 after nearly nine years and was working as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, having publicly stated he needed time away from club management. His inclusion near the top of the market was driven less by genuine intelligence and more by the scale of the frustration around Anfield during Liverpool’s difficult autumn, and as the season progressed it became clear he would not be returning.

    Andoni Iraola at 5/1: The Right Man All Along

    Andoni Iraola was priced at 5/1 in the December market, which in hindsight looks extremely generous given that he is now the bookmakers’ overwhelming favourite to be appointed as Slot’s permanent replacement. The Basque coach had built one of the more impressive managerial reputations in the Premier League during his time at Bournemouth, guiding the club to consistent top-half finishes through an intense, well-organised pressing system that maximised a squad without the financial resources of the traditional top six. Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes had been the man who brought Iraola to Bournemouth, making the personal relationship between the two an important factor in his candidacy.

    Glasner and Alonso at 6/1

    Oliver Glasner was priced at 6/1 in the December market and went on to become the front-runner in the next Manchester United manager odds at various points during the spring, before Xabi Alonso was taken out of the Liverpool equation when he signed a new contract at Chelsea. Alonso had been heavily linked with Old Trafford, Liverpool and several other major European clubs throughout the season given his work at Real Madrid, and his 6/1 price at Liverpool reflected genuine structural interest rather than mere speculation.

    How Slot’s Season Ended

    Liverpool’s form improved in the second half of the 2025-26 season, and Slot was able to guide the club to Champions League qualification, finishing in the top five of the Premier League in a trophyless campaign. He had survived the worst of the December crisis, and both FSG and Slot himself gave public indications throughout the spring that he would be retained for a third season. The decision to dismiss him on 31 May 2026, just one week after the final day of the Premier League season, came as a genuine shock to most of the football world, contradicting months of messaging from the club.

    The reasons cited in subsequent reporting centred on FSG’s desire for a change in playing style and their concerns about Slot’s plans for reshaping the backroom staff. The Salah situation had also fractured Slot’s relationship with supporters in a way that never fully recovered, with the public criticism the Egyptian directed at the club in December 2025 placing Slot in an uncomfortable position from which he never fully escaped in the eyes of many fans. Slot’s own farewell letter to supporters was widely praised for its class and dignity, and several commentators argued that his dismissal had been handled poorly given the mixed messages that had preceded it.

    What Happens Next: Iraola the Clear Favourite

    Andoni Iraola left Bournemouth at the end of the 2025-26 season and is the clear favourite to take the Liverpool job, with bookmakers suspending the market given the strength of the reported agreement between the two parties. His style of football, built on high pressing, organised structure and the ability to develop players significantly beyond their perceived ceiling, aligns closely with what Liverpool supporters and the club’s hierarchy want to see at Anfield. His connection with sporting director Richard Hughes, who signed him at Bournemouth, is the central thread in what looks like an imminent appointment.

    For more context on the managerial changes across the Premier League in 2025-26, see our Next Man Utd Manager Odds piece covering Michael Carrick’s appointment and the Next Tottenham Manager Odds covering De Zerbi’s arrival at Spurs.

    All odds correct at time of original publication, December 2025. Please gamble responsibly. For help with problem gambling visit GambleAware.org. 18+.

  • Antoine Semenyo Next Club Odds: How Manchester City Beat Liverpool to the Signing

    Antoine Semenyo Next Club Odds: How Manchester City Beat Liverpool to the Signing

    🚨 UPDATE: Antoine Semenyo joined Manchester City from Bournemouth on 9 January 2026 for a fee of £64 million on a five-and-a-half-year contract until 2031. Liverpool were the pre-window favourites at 9/4 but did not follow through. Read on for the full pre-window odds breakdown and how Semenyo’s City career has started.

    Antoine Semenyo’s departure from Bournemouth in the January 2026 window was one of the more anticipated transfer stories of the month. The Ghana international had established himself as one of the Premier League’s most feared wide forwards during the first half of the 2025-26 season, scoring 10 Premier League goals before the window opened and attracting attention from virtually every major club in England. A release clause of £65 million was set to expire at the start of the January window, turning what had been background interest from several clubs into an active and time-sensitive race.

    His final act in a Bournemouth shirt was a stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory over Tottenham, scored on his 26th birthday, before completing his move to the Etihad Stadium two days later.

    Antoine Semenyo Next Club Odds (Pre-Window, December 2025)

    Odds correct at time of original publication, December 2025.

    Club Odds Implied Chance
    Liverpool 9/4 30.8%
    Manchester City 3/1 25.0%
    Tottenham Hotspur 9/2 18.2%
    Manchester United 9/1 10.0%
    Chelsea 12/1 7.7%
    Arsenal 16/1 5.9%
    Newcastle 20/1 4.8%
    Any Saudi Arabian Team 25/1 3.8%
    Aston Villa 25/1 3.8%
    Barcelona 28/1 3.4%

    Liverpool at 9/4: The Favourite Who Blinked

    Liverpool led the market at 9/4 throughout November and December, reflecting their well-documented long-term scouting interest in Semenyo and the logic of adding a dynamic wide forward to a side that had been struggling badly for goals and creativity during Arne Slot’s difficult second season. The Reds had been linked with Semenyo for well over a year and his profile fitted the kind of player Liverpool had historically targeted, with pace, direct running and the ability to operate across the front three. In the end, Liverpool did not move when the window opened, and Manchester City were quicker and more decisive in triggering the release clause.

    Manchester City at 3/1: The Club That Got It Done

    Manchester City were the second favourite at 3/1 and ultimately the club that secured the signing, moving swiftly after the release clause activated to agree personal terms and complete the deal on 9 January 2026. Pep Guardiola’s side were trailing Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and competing on four fronts, and director of football Hugo Viana described Semenyo as a signing with huge quality, great pace and power, two good feet and real room for further development. Semenyo himself said he had always dreamed of joining City and that Guardiola’s influence on his decision had been significant throughout the process.

    City paid £64 million, just below the reported £65 million release clause figure, and the deal was structured over a five-and-a-half-year contract to June 2031. Given that Semenyo had just turned 26, the length of the deal reflected City’s belief that he would be entering the prime years of his career at the Etihad.

    Semenyo’s Impact at Manchester City

    The early signs were exceptionally positive. Semenyo became the first Manchester City player to score in both of his first two appearances for the club since August 2009, netting in a Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle at St James’ Park in just his second outing in sky blue. Guardiola described him as the right man in the right place, and several City analysts flagged him as the club’s best player in the weeks immediately following his arrival. He helped City win the FA Cup, contributing across multiple rounds as Guardiola’s side targeted silverware to compensate for a Premier League campaign that ultimately fell short of the title.

    Across his appearances for City in the second half of the 2025-26 season he registered four Premier League goals with five starts and ten appearances in total, a return that represented solid if not spectacular integration into a squad adjusting to his arrival. The broader consensus was that his best form at City was still to come, with the summer of 2026 offering Guardiola the chance to build a system more tailored to Semenyo’s strengths from the outset of a full pre-season.

    What Happened to the Other Candidates

    Tottenham at 9/2 had genuine interest in Semenyo given Ange Postecoglou’s desire to add pace and directness to his attacking line, but their ability to match City’s financial commitment was always uncertain and the speed of City’s move left them without the time to mount a serious counter-offer. Manchester United at 9/1 were in a period of considerable turbulence following Ruben Amorim’s sacking and the appointment of Michael Carrick as interim, making a £64 million outlay on a wide forward unlikely regardless of the interest. Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle were background candidates throughout whose involvement never moved from speculative to concrete.

    For more on the January 2026 transfer window and the managerial changes that surrounded it, see our Raheem Sterling Next Club Odds piece and the Next Man Utd Manager Odds article covering the Amorim sacking that dominated January.

    All odds correct at time of original publication, December 2025. Please gamble responsibly. For help with problem gambling visit GambleAware.org. 18+.

  • 2025 Christmas Number One Result: Kylie Minogue Beats Wham! With XMAS

    2025 Christmas Number One Result: Kylie Minogue Beats Wham! With XMAS

    🚨 RESULT: Kylie Minogue won the 2025 UK Christmas Number One with XMAS, confirmed on Friday 19 December 2025. Wham!’s Last Christmas finished second, ending the pop duo’s run of consecutive Christmas Number Ones at two. Read on for the full odds breakdown and how the race played out.

    The 2025 UK Christmas Number One delivered one of the most satisfying upsets in recent festive chart history. Kylie Minogue’s XMAS knocked Wham!’s Last Christmas off the top spot and ended what had looked, for much of December, like a procession towards an unprecedented third consecutive crown for the 1984 classic. Minogue’s win was confirmed by Jack Saunders on BBC Radio 1’s Official Chart show on Friday 19 December, with the full Top 100 published on OfficialCharts.com shortly afterwards.

    OddsBoom looks back at the full betting market, the stories behind each contender, and how the race played out across one of the most closely watched weeks in the UK singles chart calendar.

    2025 Christmas Number One Result

    Position Artist / Song
    1st (Winner) Kylie Minogue: XMAS
    2nd Wham!: Last Christmas
    3rd Mariah Carey: All I Want for Christmas Is You

    2025 Christmas Number One Odds (Pre-Race)

    Odds compiled by OddsBoom, correct as of 5 December 2025.

    Artist / Song Odds Implied Chance
    Wham!: Last Christmas 10/11 52.4%
    Kylie Minogue: XMAS 9/2 18.2%
    Ed Sheeran 9/1 10.0%
    Alison Limerick 9/1 10.0%
    Mariah Carey: All I Want for Christmas Is You 10/1 9.1%
    KPop Demon Hunters 11/1 8.3%
    Taylor Swift 14/1 6.7%
    Sabrina Carpenter 14/1 6.7%
    The Pogues 14/1 6.7%
    Gracie Abrams 18/1 5.3%
    Band Aid 18/1 5.3%
    LadBaby 18/1 5.3%

    Kylie Minogue Wins: A Historic Achievement

    Kylie Minogue’s victory with XMAS rewrote several pages of pop history at once. The win gave her an eighth UK Number One single overall and made her the first female artist to score Number One singles across four separate decades in the UK, having previously topped the charts in the 1980s with I Should Be So Lucky, the 1990s with Spinning Around, the 2000s with Slow, and now the 2020s with XMAS. No other female artist in UK chart history has managed that across four decades.

    It was also her first ever Christmas Number One, one of the few boxes left unticked across a remarkable four-decade career. Speaking to the Official Charts Company after the announcement, Minogue said it was hard to put into words how special the achievement felt and described the Christmas Number One as the most wonderful gift. The win came via an Amazon Music exclusive, with XMAS featuring on the 10th anniversary reissue of her 2015 Kylie Christmas album alongside three other new tracks. The single benefited from prime placement on Alexa’s default holiday playlists throughout December and a range of physical formats including gold 7-inch vinyl, a zoetrope vinyl and signed CD editions, all designed to maximise chart eligibility across both streaming and sales.

    The music video, which featured Minogue teaching a festive dance to children and adults with a special appearance from ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus, generated considerable attention online and helped sustain interest in the track through the crucial final week of chart eligibility. Bright, upbeat and built around glittering synths and classic Christmas bells, XMAS leaned into the joyful side of the season rather than nostalgia, and that modern production helped it stand out in a chart often dominated by familiar holiday staples.

    Wham! Finished Second: The End of a Two-Year Run

    For Wham!, finishing second was a remarkable result in its own right, even if it denied them the hat-trick the bookmakers had been tipping throughout November and early December. Last Christmas had topped the Christmas chart in both 2023 and 2024, becoming the first song ever to secure consecutive Christmas Number Ones, and its odds-on price of 10/11 in early December reflected just how dominant the track had become in the festive streaming market over recent years.

    The song originally missed out on the Number One in 1984, held off the top spot by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?, a piece of chart history that makes its eventual dominance four decades later one of the more unlikely stories in pop music. In the 2025 race, Last Christmas briefly threatened to reclaim the crown mid-month as Kylie’s lead narrowed, before Minogue pulled clear in the final tally. Wham! finished the year with 12 non-consecutive weeks at Number One across the song’s chart lifetime and the track returned to the top of the singles chart in the week after Christmas once Kylie’s XMAS fell away, which said everything about how embedded it has become in the national festive conscience regardless of the Christmas week result.

    Why Last Christmas Became a Modern Chart Force

    Understanding why Last Christmas became such a dominant festive force in recent years requires a brief look at how the UK Christmas chart changed with the arrival of streaming. Prior to the mid-2010s, the Christmas Number One was almost entirely determined by physical sales during a single chart-eligible week. The expansion of streaming into the chart calculation changed everything, allowing catalogue tracks with enormous cumulative listener bases to compete with new releases for the first time.

    Songs like Last Christmas and All I Want for Christmas Is You, which had been played billions of times across their catalogue lifetimes, suddenly became genuine chart contenders rather than nostalgic footnotes. Last Christmas crossed 10 million UK streams during December 2023, the year it first hit Number One, and its annual return to the upper reaches of the streaming charts has become as reliable a marker of the festive season as the John Lewis advert. The song’s journey from heartbreak in 1984 to three decades of gradual cultural canonisation and then two consecutive Christmas Number Ones makes it one of the great pop comeback stories.

    Mariah Carey: The Perennial Bridesmaid

    Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You finished third in 2025, continuing a pattern that has seen the song challenge for the top spot every December for over a decade without ever quite taking the crown. The track was originally released in 1994 and was beaten to Number One that year by East 17’s Stay Another Day. It has consistently appeared in the Top 5 every Christmas since the streaming era began but has never converted that annual presence into a Number One, a quirk of the modern festive chart that is unlikely to change given how entrenched Last Christmas and newer competitors have become at the top of the market.

    Ed Sheeran, Alison Limerick and the Rest of the Market

    Ed Sheeran at 9/1 was priced on the back of his 2021 success, when he collaborated with Elton John and LadBaby on Merry Christmas to take the Christmas Number One. No new Sheeran festive single materialised in 2025, which removed him from contention as the race developed through December. Alison Limerick was also priced at 9/1 at the same stage, reflecting some early betting activity around a potential festive campaign that did not ultimately gain enough traction to challenge at the top of the market.

    Taylor Swift at 14/1 and Sabrina Carpenter at 14/1 were the most high-profile of the longer-priced contenders, acknowledging the streaming power both artists had demonstrated throughout 2025, though neither released a dedicated festive single in time to mount a serious challenge. The Pogues at 14/1 was the annual outside bet that appears in this market on the strength of Fairytale of New York’s streaming numbers each December, while LadBaby at 18/1 reflected the possibility of a return from the act holding the record for the most Christmas Number Ones, five between 2018 and 2022.

    How the Christmas Number One Race Works

    The official Christmas Number One is determined by the UK Official Singles Chart for the week covering sales and streams from the Friday to the Thursday of the week before Christmas Day. The winner is announced live on BBC Radio 1’s Official Chart programme on the Friday before Christmas, with the full Top 100 published on OfficialCharts.com the same afternoon. Both physical sales and digital streams count towards the total, with 100 streams of a track equivalent to one sale for chart calculation purposes. That format means well-established catalogue tracks with high seasonal streaming volumes can compete directly with new releases, which is why songs like Last Christmas and All I Want for Christmas Is You return to the top of the chart each year rather than simply appearing as seasonal curiosities.

    Christmas Number One Records: Where Kylie Fits In

    Kylie’s 2025 win added her to a list of artists who have claimed the Christmas Number One. LadBaby holds the record with five consecutive wins between 2018 and 2022. The Beatles hold four, the Spice Girls three, and Queen and Wham! both sit on two. Kylie’s first win placed her alongside dozens of other solo artists and groups who have taken the crown once, but the four-decade record that came with it placed her in a category of her own. The only previous international female solo artists to win the Christmas Number One were Winifred Atwell in 1954 and Whitney Houston in 1992 with I Will Always Love You, which gives a sense of just how rare an achievement Kylie’s victory represented in the context of the UK chart’s long history.

    For more entertainment and TV betting analysis, take a look at our Next Strictly Come Dancing Presenter Odds and the latest Next James Bond Odds 2026.

    All odds correct at time of original publication, December 2025. Please gamble responsibly. For help with problem gambling visit GambleAware.org. 18+.

  • I’m A Celebrity 2025 Final Odds – Tom Read Wilson emerges as SHOCK winner

    I’m A Celebrity 2025 Final Odds – Tom Read Wilson emerges as SHOCK winner

    After three weeks of stomach-churning Bushtucker Trials and camp tensions in the Australian jungle, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! is gearing up for its big finale this weekend with one contestant set to be crowned this year’s Jungle Royalty, writes Dave James.

    As the race to the crown intensifies, four stars have emerged as the key contenders: Aitch, Angry Ginge, Jack Osbourne and Tom Read Wilson. Their jungle journeys have captured viewers’ hearts, and with public voting now crucial, the competition is wide open.

    Aitch and Angry Ginge have become the breakout double act of the season, winning fans over with their humour, camaraderie and feel-good energy around camp. Meanwhile, late arrival Tom Read Wilson has quickly risen through the ranks, charming audiences with his warmth and generosity.

    But according to bookmakers, the momentum is shifting and could go either way.

    William Hill now lists rapper Aitch as the frontrunner, overtaking long-time favourite Angry Ginge. The YouTuber had held top spot for most of the series, but the final days appear to have triggered a shake-up in the betting.

    “The race to the jungle crown is seriously hotting up with Jack Osbourne gaining massive momentum. For the first few weeks it was hard to look past Angry Ginge and Aitch, but now it looks like they’ll have a real fight on their hands.”

    While Aitch leads the market, Angry Ginge remains close behind at 5/2, keeping the pressure firmly on. Tom Read Wilson continues his impressive rise, now sitting at 4/1, while Jack Osbourne holds fourth at 8/1 as his support steadily grows.

    With the finish line in sight, the final result looks anything but guaranteed.

    Latest Odds (Remaining Contestants):

    • Aitch – 5/4
    • Angry Ginge – 5/2
    • Tom Read Wilson – 4/1
    • Jack Osbourne – 8/1
    • Shona McGarty – 14/1
    • Lisa Riley – 50/1

    The jungle crown is still up for grabs and this weekend’s finale promises to deliver a thrilling end to the series.

  • Next Swansea Manager Odds : 3 main candidates emerge

    Next Swansea Manager Odds : 3 main candidates emerge

    🕒 Last Updated: 11 November 2025 – Odds and market information correct at time of last update. Please check with your bookmaker for current prices.

    ⚽ Result: Vitor Matos was appointed Swansea City manager, arriving from Portugal. He won two of his first matches in charge and the club stabilised. None of the three main market candidates (Carrick, Rodgers, O’Neil) took the job.

    Swansea City have parted ways with head coach Alan Sheehan following their 4-1 defeat to Ipswich Town, a result that left the club sitting 18th in the Championship table. Sheehan, who was handed the permanent job after an impressive stint as caretaker boss last season, had guided the Swans on their longest league winning run since 2007. His appointment brought optimism to the Liberty Stadium, particularly after a busy summer transfer window that saw the high-profile arrivals of Adam Idah and Zeidane Inoussa.

    However, that optimism faded quickly. Results were disappointing, with the Swans now enduring their lowest return since being relegated from the Premier League in 2018. Saturday’s defeat proved to be the final straw, leaving the club just seven points clear of the relegation zone and eight adrift of the playoff positions. Sheehan’s tenure saw him win 16 of his 39 games in charge. The Irishman had previously served as interim manager on two occasions before being appointed permanently in April, following Luke Williams’ departure.

    Attention turned to who would take over at the Swansea.com Stadium. Former Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick led the early betting at 4/1 with BetVictor. The ex-Manchester United midfielder had been out of work since leaving Boro after guiding them to a 10th-place finish last season. Under Carrick, Middlesbrough developed into one of the most exciting teams in the Championship, only narrowly missing out on a place in the 2022/23 play-off final after losing to Coventry in the semi-finals.

    Close behind in the odds were Brendan Rodgers and Gary O’Neil, both listed at 6/1. Rodgers, who was recently dismissed by Celtic, had been linked with several vacancies, while O’Neil remained a respected name after his stints with Bournemouth and Wolves.

    Russell Martin, sacked by Rangers last month, and Steven Gerrard were also being mentioned as possible successors, while Will Still, recently dismissed by Southampton, was another name in the frame. With Swansea searching for their fifth permanent manager in just over three years, the club faced another crucial decision as they looked to turn around a faltering season.

  • I’m A Celebrity 2025 Winner: Angry Ginge Crowned King of the Jungle

    I’m A Celebrity 2025 Winner: Angry Ginge Crowned King of the Jungle

    🚨 RESULT: Angry Ginge (Morgan Burtwistle) was crowned King of the Jungle on 7 December 2025, winning I’m A Celebrity 2025 with 53 per cent of the final three-way vote and 65 per cent in the head-to-head final against Tom Read Wilson. The pre-show betting market had him right, with Angry Ginge the 5/2 favourite before the series even began. Read on for the full odds breakdown and series review.

    The 25th series of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here launched on ITV on 16 November 2025 and ran for three weeks before culminating in a live final on 7 December. The market had already identified Angry Ginge as the most likely winner before a single episode had aired, with the Twitch streamer and content creator cut from 9/2 to 5/2 in the days before launch as a wave of online support from his fanbase drove significant betting activity. That early market call proved to be entirely correct.

    I’m A Celebrity 2025 Winner Odds (Pre-Launch)

    Odds correct at time of original publication, 11 November 2025.

    Contestant Odds Implied Chance
    Angry Ginge 5/2 28.6%
    Tom Read Wilson 5/1 16.7%
    Martin Kemp 6/1 14.3%
    Aitch 13/2 13.3%
    Jack Osbourne 7/1 12.5%
    Others 10/1+

    Who Was Angry Ginge?

    Angry Ginge, real name Morgan Burtwistle, was 24 years old when he entered the jungle and had built a substantial following through Twitch streaming, YouTube content and appearances in Soccer Aid. He was known primarily for his Manchester United-themed content and had managed a team in the Baller League, a celebrity football competition. His online audience skewed younger than most I’m A Celebrity viewers, which made the bookmakers’ confidence in him interesting from the outset, reflecting a belief that his fanbase would translate into public votes in the way that social media audiences had done for previous younger contestants on the show.

    That calculation proved correct. Ginge was in the jungle from day one and quickly established himself as a fan favourite through his willingness to take on Bushtucker Trials, earning him the nickname Titan of the Trials from fellow contestant Tom Read Wilson during the final. He approached the jungle experience with genuine enthusiasm rather than the performative reluctance common among celebrity contestants, and viewers responded to his authenticity throughout the series.

    The 2025 Cast and Elimination Order

    The full cast included Alex Scott, Tom Read Wilson, Angry Ginge, Aitch, Jack Osbourne, Lisa Riley, Ruby Wax, Martin Kemp, Kelly Brook, Vogue Williams, Shona McGarty and Edie Kadi, with Tom Read Wilson and Vogue Williams confirmed as late arrivals on 19 November 2025.

    The elimination order ran as follows: Alex Scott was the first to leave the jungle, followed by Edie Kadi, Vogue Williams, Kelly Brook, Ruby Wax, Martin Kemp, Jack Osbourne and Lisa Riley. The three finalists were Angry Ginge, Tom Read Wilson and Shona McGarty, with McGarty announced in third place before Ginge took the crown against Wilson in the final head-to-head vote.

    The Final: Ginge Wins Decisively

    The live final on 7 December 2025 drew 13 million votes across the evening, ITV’s highest total for the show in at least ten years and a significant milestone for a series celebrating its 25th anniversary. In the three-way final, Angry Ginge received 53 per cent of the vote, Tom Read Wilson 25 per cent and Shona McGarty 22 per cent. When the vote reopened for the final two, Ginge extended his lead significantly, taking 65 per cent against Wilson’s 35 per cent.

    Wilson, a generous runner-up throughout, told Ant and Dec before the result was announced that he believed Ginge deserved the win because he had been the titan of the trials and had served the full duration in the jungle. Ginge himself said he felt amazing and described it as a dream come true, adding that he had never expected to go all the way, let alone win.

    How the Market Called It Right

    The pre-show betting market’s confidence in Angry Ginge at 5/2 before the series launched reflected a pattern bookmakers had identified in recent seasons: the contestant with the biggest and most digitally active fanbase tends to outperform expectations in the public vote. Martin Kemp had been the original early favourite at 4/1 before being pushed out to 6/1 following the betting surge for Ginge, and he was eliminated in sixth place. Tom Read Wilson at 5/1 proved an accurate assessment of his position as runner-up.

    The series was also notable for a rumoured romance between Shona McGarty and rapper Aitch that ran as one of the main subplot narratives through the middle weeks of the show, and for Ruby Wax’s memorable sharp-tongued presence in camp before her elimination. Aitch himself at 13/2 pre-show had been seen as a potential dark horse, though he was eliminated before the final stages.

    For more TV entertainment odds coverage, see our Next Strictly Come Dancing Presenter Odds and the latest Next James Bond Odds 2026.

    All odds correct at time of original publication, November 2025. Please gamble responsibly. For help with problem gambling visit GambleAware.org. 18+.

  • Next Leeds United Manager Odds: How Farke Survived the Crisis and Kept Leeds Up

    Next Leeds United Manager Odds: How Farke Survived the Crisis and Kept Leeds Up

    🚨 UPDATE, May 2026: Daniel Farke was not sacked. Leeds United survived their first Premier League season back in the top flight, finishing 15th with a remarkable second-half turnaround. Farke described the achievement as one of the proudest of his career. Read on for the full story of the November 2025 crisis, the betting market at the time, and how Leeds pulled clear of relegation.

    When Daniel Farke’s Leeds United lost four of their first five Premier League matches after the international break in November 2025, the betting markets moved quickly. The club had won the Championship title the previous season with 100 points and won promotion in style, but the step up to the top flight had exposed familiar vulnerabilities, and with Leeds sitting 16th, just one point above the relegation zone, speculation about Farke’s future became the dominant story around Elland Road.

    The German had already faced questions over his Premier League record before the season started, having been relegated from the top flight previously with Norwich City. As results deteriorated in the autumn, that history was raised again by sections of the fanbase and by bookmakers who opened a next manager market with several credible names at the top.

    The November 2025 Odds Market

    Odds correct at time of original publication, 11 November 2025.

    Candidate Odds Implied Chance
    Marco Rose 6/4 40.0%
    Brendan Rodgers 3/1 25.0%
    Steven Gerrard 5/1 16.7%

    Marco Rose at 6/4 (Did Not Get the Job)

    Marco Rose led the market at 6/4 having been out of work since leaving RB Leipzig earlier in 2025. The German coach had a strong managerial track record spanning spells at Borussia Monchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund, Salzburg and Leipzig, and had guided Leipzig to their first major trophy by winning the DFB-Pokal. With a career win rate of around 58 per cent and availability at short notice, Rose was a logical candidate for a club that needed an experienced manager capable of keeping a newly promoted side in the Premier League. As it turned out, Farke was never replaced and Rose’s availability in the market became irrelevant.

    Brendan Rodgers at 3/1 (Did Not Get the Job)

    Brendan Rodgers was priced at 3/1 following his exit from Celtic, where his second spell had ended amid reported tensions with the club’s hierarchy. He brought extensive Premier League experience from his time at Swansea, Liverpool and Leicester, including a title challenge at Anfield and a remarkable FA Cup and League Cup double at the King Power, and his ability to work with limited resources and develop young players made him a credible name in survival situations. His presence in the market at 3/1 reflected genuine interest from the betting public, though the job never became available.

    Steven Gerrard at 5/1 (Did Not Get the Job)

    Steven Gerrard at 5/1 was the more speculative entry in the market. His managerial career had included an impressive unbeaten title-winning season with Rangers and a difficult 40-game spell at Aston Villa before being replaced by Unai Emery, followed by an equally unsuccessful stint at Saudi side Al-Ettifaq. His name carries significant weight in English football and his Rangers record demonstrated a genuine capacity for building winning environments, but his recent record at Premier League and international level made him a riskier option than the other names in the market.

    How Farke Turned It Around

    The turning point in Leeds’ season came around early December 2025, when Farke made a significant tactical adjustment, switching from his usual 4-2-3-1 shape to a 3-5-2 that gave the team greater defensive solidity and allowed the wing-backs more freedom to contribute to attacks. The change had an almost immediate effect on results and performances. From 3 December onwards, Leeds were among the better sides in the division by points per game, goal differential and expected goal differential, a dramatic contrast with the chaotic first three months of the season.

    Central to the transformation was Ethan Ampadu, who was named Leeds’ Player of the Season for his performances in the defensive midfield role. The Wales international became the heartbeat of the team, his composure and reading of the game giving Farke the platform to be more expansive higher up the pitch. Anton Stach also played a significant role in the second half of the season before an injury in the closing weeks ended his campaign early, with the German having played himself into contention for Germany’s World Cup squad before the setback.

    Dominic Calvert-Lewin finished as the club’s top scorer with 12 Premier League goals and 13 in all competitions, a tally that justified the club’s decision to sign him in the summer and gave Leeds a reliable focal point in a team that had struggled badly for goals earlier in the season. Joe Rodon established himself as one of the more impressive defenders outside the traditional top six, his form in the back three drawing widespread recognition in the second half of the season.

    Leeds’ FA Cup Run

    Beyond their league survival, Leeds reached the FA Cup semi-finals in the 2025-26 season, a run that gave the squad considerable confidence and gave supporters some memorable days before a defeat to Arsenal at Wembley ended the dream. The cup run generated significant income and raised the profile of several squad players who might otherwise have had limited opportunities, and Farke pointed to it as an important factor in building belief within the group during one of the most testing periods of his managerial career.

    How the Season Ended

    Leeds finished 15th in the Premier League with 38 points from 38 matches, securing their top-flight status with enough comfort in the final weeks of the season after the early panic of November had become a distant memory. Their final game was a trip to West Ham on the last day of the season, with Farke naming a strong side and using the occasion to give credit to a squad that had shown the kind of collective resilience that survival battles require.

    Farke described the finish as a great achievement given where the club had been in November and the scale of the challenge they had faced on returning to the Premier League after two seasons in the Championship. The club’s average home attendance of 36,774 across the season reflected the support Elland Road gave the team throughout, even during the darkest weeks of autumn.

    For more next manager odds coverage across the Premier League, see our Next Premier League Manager to Be Sacked tracker and the Don Hutchison interview in which the former Scotland midfielder discussed Farke’s position and Leeds’ form in detail during the difficult period.

    All odds correct at time of original publication, November 2025. Please gamble responsibly. For help with problem gambling visit GambleAware.org. 18+.

  • Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Norwich City: Match Report and Season Review

    Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Norwich City: Match Report and Season Review

    🚨 RESULT: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Norwich City, Hillsborough, 5 November 2025. Barry Bannan scored for Wednesday in the 4th minute, Mathias Kvistgaarden equalised for Norwich in the 61st. Read on for the full match report, pre-match odds and how both clubs’ seasons ultimately played out.

    When Sheffield Wednesday hosted Norwich City at Hillsborough on a Tuesday evening in November 2025, the match was billed as a relegation six-pointer between two struggling sides. Wednesday were bottom of the Championship with a negative points tally after an early six-point deduction, while Norwich sat just a point above them in what was shaping up to be a difficult season for both clubs. The game ended 1-1, a result that served neither side particularly well, though the context that surrounded Wednesday’s season made the final standings look very different by the time May arrived.

    Match Details

    Detail Information
    Competition EFL Championship, Round 14
    Date Wednesday 5 November 2025
    Venue Hillsborough, Sheffield
    Kick-off 19:45 GMT
    Attendance 28,156
    Referee Edward Duckworth

    Pre-Match Betting Odds

    Bookmakers narrowly favoured Norwich heading into the match, reflecting their slightly better league position and more potent attack. Both sides had struggled badly for goals across the preceding weeks, with just three combined goals in their last five matches between them. Wednesday had conceded 25 goals in 13 league games before the match, while Norwich had registered 50 shots in their previous five outings but converted only one, a troubling combination of attacking intent and wastefulness that had kept them marooned near the bottom of the table.

    The value proposition pre-match was Norwich Draw No Bet given their marginally sharper attack and Wednesday’s defensive record, though the form of both sides made any prediction difficult with confidence.

    Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Norwich City: Match Report

    Wednesday made the perfect start when Barry Bannan put them ahead in the 4th minute, the experienced midfielder capitalising on an early defensive lapse to give the hosts a lead that the Hillsborough crowd greeted with considerable relief. It was Wednesday’s captain at his most composed, and the goal gave Pedersen’s side exactly the platform they had been lacking in recent weeks.

    Norwich dominated possession for much of the first half at 54 per cent but failed to convert their pressure into a leveller before the break, with Wednesday showing the defensive resilience that had been largely absent in previous matches. The hosts had 15 shot attempts across the full game to Norwich’s 13, though the quality of chances was limited on both sides throughout the opening 45 minutes.

    The equaliser arrived on 61 minutes when Mathias Kvistgaarden, introduced as a second-half substitute, drew Norwich level with a goal assisted by Josh Sargent. The American striker, who had been central to Norwich’s attacking play throughout the season, created the chance with a run that exposed Wednesday’s defensive shape and Kvistgaarden converted cleanly. Neither side could find a winner in the remaining half hour, with Wednesday’s nine corner kicks reflecting a degree of pressure in the closing stages that ultimately came to nothing. The draw did little to ease the concerns of either camp.

    Goals and Scorers

    Time Player Team
    4′ Barry Bannan Sheffield Wednesday
    61′ Mathias Kvistgaarden Norwich City

    Sheffield Wednesday’s Season: A Historic Collapse

    The draw at Hillsborough on 5 November was one of the more positive results of an utterly catastrophic 2025-26 campaign for Sheffield Wednesday. The season had been marked by financial crisis from its earliest stages, with players going unpaid on multiple occasions during the summer, a registration embargo preventing the club from making competitive signings, and owner Dejphon Chansiri eventually confirming he would sell the club after months of escalating chaos.

    The crisis came to a head in October 2025 when Wednesday entered administration, triggering an immediate 12-point deduction that left them on minus four points. A further six-point deduction followed in December for multiple breaches of EFL payment obligation regulations, compounding a situation that had already made survival practically impossible. The club cycled through seven different goalkeepers across the season due to a combination of injuries and the inability to make permanent signings.

    Wednesday’s relegation was confirmed on 22 February 2026, when they lost 2-1 to fierce rivals Sheffield United in the Steel City derby, making them the first club in English Football League history to be relegated in February. They had won only one league match since September and set the record for the longest winless run in Championship history at 39 games. Their final position was 24th with a heavily negative points total, and their drop into League One represented the lowest point in the club’s modern era.

    Norwich City’s Season: Steady but Unfulfilling

    Norwich’s 2025-26 Championship campaign told a very different story from Wednesday’s, though it was not without its own frustrations. The Canaries settled into a mid-table position after a difficult start and finished the season in 9th place, a respectable outcome but some way short of the promotion push many had expected given their squad strength and the investment made during the summer.

    Josh Sargent, who had featured prominently in the November draw at Hillsborough, left the club in the January transfer window in a move that generated considerable discussion. His departure was described by ESPN as having potentially significant implications for the United States national team’s World Cup preparations, given the timing of his exit and his importance to the USMNT setup. Borja Sainz continued to be the team’s standout performer, finishing as one of the Championship’s top scorers for the second consecutive season and attracting interest from Premier League clubs heading into the summer.

    Norwich’s 5-0 win at West Brom in January 2026 was among the Championship’s most notable results of the season, and their overall points tally of 58 from 46 games reflected a team capable of competing without consistently delivering the quality needed to challenge for the top six.

    How to Watch Championship Football

    All Championship matches are broadcast live on Sky Sports under the EFL’s five-year deal with the broadcaster, with over 1,000 EFL matches shown live each season across Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+. ITV also shows ten live Championship matches per season alongside the weekly EFL Highlights programme on ITV4 every Saturday at 9pm. For full details, visit our Championship TV Schedule 2026/27 guide.

    All odds correct at time of original publication, November 2025. Please gamble responsibly. For help with problem gambling visit GambleAware.org. 18+.