2022 betting preview - what to bet on this year

The sporting calendar is packed in 2022, but we've picked out some betting advice from the biggest events taking place this year to mark your card.

Australian Open tennis 

The traditional start of the tennis calendar always kicks off in Melbourne and despite the difficulties with Covid restrictions and protocols, it’ll still be a must-see for tennis fans. 

Even more intrigue surrounds the event with defending champion Novak Djokovic still not a certain starter despite being the short-priced 2.6 favourite. The Serbian is tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on 20 Grand Slams but may miss the chance to even try to take the lead. 

Djokovic’s refusal to reveal whether he is vaccinated is the big issue, and wouldn’t it be something if he missed out while Nadal managed to find some of his best form to win at 10.5?

NFL Super Bowl 

Los Angeles is the host venue for the NFL’s showpiece event in February and wouldn’t it be a Hollywood ending if Tom Brady retained the Lombardi Trophy, as 10.5 shots, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after their fine victory last season?

The Kansas City Chiefs were defeated by Brady last year and they’re on course to appear in a third straight Super Bowl and priced at 5.2 to make it two wins in three years, while Aaron Rodgers is the odds-on MVP favourite, and his Green Bay Packers are 5.4 second favourites to win the big one. 

Could Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs go one better than last season's Super Bowl defeat?

Winter Olympics 

2008 summer Olympics venue Beijing hosts the Winter Olympics this February and it could be a similar situation to Japan last summer with limited fans in attendance given the Covid situation – with it being hosted in China of particular significance. 

It’s no surprise to see Norway as the massive odds-on favourites at 1.33 to top the Winter Olympics medal table, something they’ve done on eight occasions previously. They topped the 2018 charts but that was the first time in four Games so maybe they’re worth taking on. 

Russia will be a threat at 8.0 after topping the table in 2014 at home in Sochi, but Germany look the value play here, priced at 13.5 but having topped the charts three times in the last eight. 

The Masters 

Golf’s first major of the season is always such an eagerly-anticipated event, whether it’s because of the long wait since the last one or the fact that it’s held at the magical Augusta National every year – it's one of the biggest weeks in the sport. 

Hideki Matsuyama is the defending champion but Jon Rahm is the 9.6 favourite with Rory McIlroy a 16 shot as he once again tries to complete the career grand slam by adding the only major he’s yet to win. 

Dustin Johnson looks a great price though at 16 given he pulled on the green jacket in 2020 in the re-arranged Masters in November that year, and while he found being defending champion just five months later too tough, returning to win again after two years is not unheard of here. 

Open champion Collin Morikawa must also have a huge chance at 13.5 given he has the temperament, the two majors already in the bag and is the best iron player on the PGA Tour – and Augusta is widely regarded a second shot golf course. 

World Snooker Championship 

A staple of UK sport around Easter time, the Crucible will welcome back snooker’s blue riband event in April with defending champion Mark Selby a 7.0 shot to retain his crown, but it will be no easy task with Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan around. 

Everyone would love to see Trump v O’Sullivan at some point in Sheffield, with the 2019 winner the 4.8 favourite ahead of ‘The Rocket’ at 7.0, mainly as we can at least trust Trump to turn up. 

Anything could happen with six-time champion O’Sullivan but at that price he’s worth backing as when he turns up in the right frame of mind he remains as close to unbeatable as you’ll find in any sport. 

NBA Championship 

The NBA finale is back in April and the Brooklyn Nets lead the betting at 3.75 with the Golden State Warriors just in behind at 5.8 as they look to return to the big series for the first time in three years, following three titles in five straight finals appearances. 

The Los Angeles Lakers are a 12.5 chance to win a record 18th NBA Championship behind 37-year-old LeBron James, who is still breaking records even at his age. If Tom Brady can do it.... 

The Open 

The Open Championship returns to the Old Course at St Andrews after a longer gap than usual, and what a venue for young Collin Morikawa to defend his Claret Jug. It’s a bit of a dream but also what if two-time winner at this venue Tiger Woods could return to play here?! 

Morikawa is a 13.5 shot to retain the title he won at St George’s last summer but as always there are plenty of candidates to win on the famous old links. Jordan Spieth went close here in 2015 and is 14 right now, but that price will crash if he has a good start to the season. 

You do wonder, though, what Bryson DeChambeau and his extreme length will do to the Old Course – and he’s a 16.5 chance to overpower St Andrews and claim the title. 

FIFA World Cup 

It’s a brave new world for us all as Qatar hosts the first winter World Cup, and who knows what kind of results that might throw up - maybe England will finally win it as 8.4 third favourites?

One of European champion Italy or Portugal, or possibly both, may not even qualify so there may be a bit of value in backing the likes of Spain or Germany now at 9.0 and 9.4 respectively. 

Both have young teams and Luis Enrique’s Spain looked very much a side on the rise when they finished as runners-up in the Nations League - they could go deep in this tournament if they continue their development.