SPOTY 2018 odds and tips: Harry Kane an outsider to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year ahead of World Cup

HARRY KANE is an outsider to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and it may be time to back the England captain before the World Cup.

Gareth Southgate handed the Tottenham striker the armband in the lead up to the tournament, giving him the platform to inspire the nation in Russia.

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Kane is currently 8/1 to win the award with Sun Bets, behind heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua who is the strong favourite at 2/1.

AJ has had another brilliant year in boxing and he is the standout candidate as he currently holds four heavweight world-title belts.

He added the WBO to his IBF, WBA and IBO titles in March this year after defeating Joseph Parker in March.

But Kane has the opportunity to leapfrog Joshua by guiding England to strong finish at the World Cup.

Lizzy Yarnold, Andy Murray, Chris Froome and Lewis Hamilton are all in the running ahead of the award ceremony later this year.

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Sun Bets spokesman Tim Reynolds said: “This a perfect opportunity for Harry Kane to make himself a national hero.

“Gareth Southgate has named him his captain and if he can be an inspiration at the World Cup, you can back him to swoop the award.

“Although if Anthony Joshua can arrange his fight with Deontay Wilder this year and claim all the heavyweight belts, it would be hard to look beyond AJ.”