With news breaking that Gary Lineker will be stepping down as host of Match of the Day after 25 years on our screens, frequent stand-in Gabby Logan has now emerged as the favourite to take over from the former Tottenham and Leicester footballer.
Priced at 11/8, Logan is by no means a firm favourite, and will face stiff competition for the role from rival sports presenters. Lots of big names in sports media are filling the list of potential suitors for the coveted position, so we take a look at the odds surrounding their chances.
Next Match of the Day presenter betting odds
Below are the odds for the top eight presenters most likely to take the wheel on Match of the Day and head up the presenting of one of the BBC's most-loved sports programmes.
| Presenter | Best odds |
|---|---|
| Gabby Logan |
11/8 |
| Mark Chapman |
2/1 |
| Kelly Cates |
3/1 |
| Alex Scott |
5/1 |
| Kelly Somers |
16/1 |
Current favourites
Gabby Logan – 11/8
MBE recipient Gabby Logan is the current favourite to become the new face of Match of the Day, with bookies pricing her at 11/8.
Logan was originally viewed as an outsider for the role, with Alex Scott seen as the likely recipient of the coveted position, but the tables have turned in the last few days.
Having hosted Final Score from 2009-2013, as well as often acting as the stand-in for Lineker during his illustrious 25 years on the programme, Logan would also seem an obvious choice for the role.
She also has a long-standing relationship with the BBC, with the broadcasting company seemingly looking to recruit one of their current reporters to head up the show.
Logan has continued to cover live matches during a long-running career with the BBC, so would seem well-placed to take over.
Her experience is being viewed as a notable reason for punters backing her for the position in the last few days, a decision which has seen Logan's odds fall from 12/1 to 11/8.
Despite being the current favourite, she may be a good choice for bettors as there has still been no clear statement of intent made for the role.
Mark Chapman – 2/1
Current Match of the Day 2 presenter Mark Chapman seems another likely option to take over from Gary Lineker.
He is the second favourite behind Logan, and appears to have a very good shot of landing the position.
Having already gathered notable experience presenting Match of the Day 2 since 2013, he seems an obvious choice for the role, as 11 years at the helm of the show's Sunday programme should give him the perfect background for selection.
Chapman is also the BBC's chief Rugby League correspondent, and the Chair of the Board for the Manchester Originals cricket team in the Hundred.
With a wide reaching portfolio of high-profile work, Chapman would be good to get behind at 2/1.
Kelly Cates – 3/1
Sky Sports presenter Kelly Cates is also seemingly in contention, with her odds having shortened to 3/1.
Daughter of former Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, Cates has extensive experience reporting for ESPN and Sky, reporting on the EFL and Friday Night Football for the latter over a long period.
She has also regularly appeared on talkSPORT with Jason Cundy, and so her resume seems to hold the necessary skills to acquire the position.
At 3/1, Cates is certainly not out of the running, and could be a decent pick for bettors. However, with the BBC more than likely to recruit from within, it would seem less probable that Cates will be able to stake her claim on the role.
Alex Scott – 5/1
Former England international and Arsenal women's footballer Alex Scott is priced at 5/1 to take over the role.
She was initially put down as the favourite, but this has since shifted to Gabby Logan in recent weeks.
After retiring from football in 2018, Scott has since cemented herself as one of the most prominent and respected broadcasters in football media working for Sky Sports and BBC Sport.
She was also awarded an MBE in 2017, which is testament to her capabilities and knowledge of football.
Despite currently being an outside choice for the position, Scott could be a good pick as she has made herself known as one of football's top pundits in such a short space of time.
Lifelong Ipswich Town supporter who recently graduated from Durham University in French and German. Have developed a passion for European football based on my links abroad and am an avid supporter of Werder Bremen and Auxerre. Joined the MFT team in October 2024 and looking to take my first steps into the world of football journalism.
