Tweddle to challenge Lapinskas for Dancing on Ice crown
Published:After achieving a series-high score of 36 points last week, Matt Lapinskas has edged ahead of Beth Tweddle in the betting and is now the 11/10 favourite to be crowned this year’s Dancing on Ice champion.
The ex-Eastenders man topped the leaderboard for a second consecutive week with a stunning performance during the notoriously difficult ‘Props Week’, and has now gathered some momentum ahead of Sunday’s semi-final.
The 24-year-old seamlessly employed three hats during an intricate routine last week which cynical judge Jason Gardiner described afterwards as “Genius”.
Punters are clearly of the same opinion, as Lapinskas has attracted 75% of bets placed with Ladbrokes since Sunday night’s live show.
Olympic gymnast Tweddle received a mixed reaction to her hula-hoop routine which scored 30 points, whilst former British Lions rugby captain Gareth Thomas impressed the judges to take second place with a score of 34.5.
This weekend the final four must incorporate flying into their skating routines as they are suspended above the ice on wires.
And this is where Tweddle could rise to the top.
With over twenty years gymnastics experience as well as a bronze medal on the uneven bars at London 2012, Tweddle is comfortable delivering the goods from elevated heights.
Consequently, backing her to be crowned Queen of the Ice at 5/4, before her price shortens again, could be a shrewd option.
Olympic boxer Luke Campbell cruised through his maiden final skate-off last week and fans of the pugilist may be tempted to invest 50/1 in the outsider’s slim chances.
However, the other three semi-finalists look a class above and any one of them could deliver him the knock-out punch.
Indeed, a price of 2/5 for him to be in the bottom two is short but appealing.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
