Andy Murray is being tipped to return to the Tennis winners’ enclosure in 2018 and has been backed into 7/2 joint favourite from 5/1 to bag his fourth Sports Personality of the Year award next year.

The fit-again Scot returns to action in the New Year after a lay off and has stated that he intends to focus on the Grand Slams this season with the Australian Open first on his radar in January. Murray now shares favouritism with boxer Anthony Joshua who finished fourth in this year’s vote.

England’s footballers have also been the subject of support to walk away with the Sports Personality of the Year trophy next December with the World Cup in Russia on the horizon. Harry Kane is the pick of the bunch at 10/1 while Tottenham teammate Dele Alli and Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling sit at 33/1 apiece.

The Ryder Cup meanwhile promises to be one of the sporting highlights of 2018 and with Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy expected to play a leading role in Paris for the European side, they are available at 20/1 and 50/1 respectively to be delivering a winning speech at the Sports Personality bash next year.

Lawrence Lyons, Spokesperson for BoyleSports commented: “The 2018 sporting calendar looks a mouth-watering one and we’re already seeing a few savvy punters predicting success for Andy Murray, who is fit again and primed for another Sports Personality of the Year trophy at 7/2.”

He added: “We won’t be surprised if prices like the 50/1 about Rory McIlroy attract plenty of ante-post interest considering his chances of major success next year, not to mention the Ryder Cup which will be fresh in the minds of the public by the time the vote takes place next December.”