Not got any real confidence with how things will play out tonight but it’s been a fun year to bet on with plenty of twists and turns after Rory McIlroy led the charge when winning the Masters in April to complete the career slam.

Chloe Kelly’s penalty in the Euros final shoot-out then clinched back-to-back Euros for the Lionesses in July launching her to odds on favourite.

Since Europe’s thrilling Ryder Cup win in September, Rory has gradually flipped back to favourite. Lando Norris’s first F1 title, secured in the last race of the season earlier this month, has seen him mount a late challenge.

The current approx odds an hour out from the show are McIlroy 8/13, Norris 9/2, Kelly 9/2. Luke Littler (33/1), Ellie Kildunne (50/1) and Hannah Hampton (100/1) make up the shortlist of 6.

Polls have been hard to find since the shortlist was announced. The YouGov poll had mostly don’t knows but those that selected a nominee had Norris 16% ahead of Littler 10%. McIlroy and Kelly were on 6%. Other online polls have though shown McIlroy ahead.

I was initially with Kelly in the battle against McIlroy, given the popularity of the Lionesses demonstrated by recent SPOTY winners Beth Mead and Mary Earps. Those two generated a lot more noise than Kelly has this year but maybe viewers will be reminded of the drama of the Euros win during the show. Fellow Lioness Hampton possibly dilutes things for Kelly (although there is to be a new voting window where only the top 3 remain).

Tonight sees the renewal of the battle of F1 v Golf. It’s worth a look at 2014 and, in the first year of this blog, the review of the year told the story of how McIlroy (who traded at 1.10 during the show) was turned over by Lewis Hamilton. Is history to repeat itself?

My feeling is that McIlroy’s achievements should be enough but would not be too surprised if he got beaten. For fun, will go with the standard 1-2-3 of McIlroy, Norris and Kelly.

There is a team of the year being voted on tonight too. William Hill have odds of Lionesses (1/6), Ryder Cup (5/1) and England women’s rugby union (7/1).

Good luck with bets and hopefully it will be an interesting night.