With news breaking that Gary Lineker will be stepping down as host of Match of the Day after 25 years on our screens, BBC Sport and Sky Sports presenter Alex Scott has now emerged as the favourite to take over from the former Tottenham and Leicester footballer.
Priced at 6/4, Scott 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 |
|---|---|
| Alex Scott |
6/4 |
| Mark Chapman |
4/1 |
| Gabby Logan |
6/1 |
| Jason Mohammad |
7/1 |
| Micah Richards |
10/1 |
Most punters are starting to settle on Alex Scott as the favourite for the role. After initial certainty around Mark Chapman begun to fade, Scott has attracted a large number of bets, and now seems most likely to become Match of the Day's newest presenter.
Current favourites
Alex Scott – 6/4
Former England international and Arsenal women's footballer Alex Scott is priced at 6/4 to take over the role, becoming established as the favourite after Mark Chapman had initially been touted for the role. 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.
Mark Chapman – 4/1
Current Match of the Day 2 presenter Mark Chapman seems another likely option to take over from Gary Lineker. 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 shows 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 4/1.
Gabby Logan – 9/1
Finally, another MBE recipient, Gabby Logan is priced at 9/1 to assume the head presenting role on Match of the Day. 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 highly sought-after position.
It seems likely that the BBC will choose someone who currently reports for them, and Logan has continued to cover live matches during a long-running career with the company, so would seem well-placed to take over. At 9/1 and having regularly presented the programme already, Logan provides great value and would be an astute choice to back.
Michah Richards – 10/1
Current Sky Sports and BBC Sport pundit Michal Richards has also entered the fray as a contender to host Match of the Day. The presenter and former Manchester City defender rose to punditry prominence in recent years, being heralded for his big personality and humorous way of expressing football knowledge.
He has also appeared a few times on Match of the Day already, meaning his emergence as an outsider does not seem as unlikely as some may have predicted. He has also been recognised for his highly popular The Rest is Football podcast with current MOTD hosts Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer. With the three having already combined on a podcast, Richards would seem a sensible addition to head up the team at 10/1.
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.
