Gareth Bale’s SPOTY odds slashed after Euros euphoria

Gareth Bale could be scoring his way to this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, after a stunning summer at the European Championships.

The Real Madrid star has been at the forefront of Wales’ success at the Euros with three vital goals, and Bale is now 8/1 for the annual gong, in from 50/1.

Jamie Vardy is favourite for the accolade at 3/1, with Anthony Joshua second in the betting at 5s.

Andy Murray is also 8/1 with Bale, but the former Tottenham’s man’s odds will tumble further if he can lead Wales to glory versus Belgium in their quarter-final clash on Friday night.

The bookies have served up a host of Bale specials for the match, including 12/1 on the world’s most expensive player scoring a third direct free-kick of the tournament.

It’s 10s meanwhile that Bale scores from the spot or with his head, and 14s he whacks the woodwork.

A Ladbrokes spokesperson said: “Bale wasn’t a SPOTY contender before the Euros, but his roaring performances for the Dragons in France have fired him right into contention.

At 19/4, Wales are deemed outsiders to Belgium’s 8/11, but if their wizard can conjure more magic, the Dragons’ dream may yet go on.

Bale is 11/2 to net first, and 9/4 anytime, and given his form this summer, the Belgian defence ought to be on their toes.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.