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Tasha Ghouri Shortens At Head Of Strictly Come Dancing Markets
I’ve been glued to Strictly Come Dancing this season, and one story has really stood out for me: Tasha Ghouri’s odds have now shortened dramatically, pushing her right up among the frontrunners. Watching her journey unfold week after week has been fascinating, and the way she’s captured both the judges’ praise and the audience’s admiration makes this shift in the markets feel almost inevitable.
From the very beginning, I felt Tasha had something unique. Her confidence on the dance floor, her ability to pour emotion into every step, and her sharp technique all combine into performances that linger long after the music stops. The night she scored her first perfect 40 felt like a turning point, not just for her own self-belief but for everyone who’d been watching her build momentum.
What’s impressed me most is her consistency. It isn’t just about one standout routine. Tasha has delivered across the board, taking on different dance styles with energy and adaptability. From lively, upbeat numbers to slower, more emotional routines, she’s shown a range that sets her apart. It’s clear to me that the bookmakers are paying attention to how solid she’s been in almost every outing.
Of course, Strictly is never straightforward. I know as well as anyone that frontrunners can suddenly stumble, and the public vote often delivers surprises. Some of the best dancers in past series have left earlier than expected, and that unpredictability is part of what makes the show so addictive. Still, Tasha’s rise in the betting markets feels well deserved.
Another part of her journey that resonates with me is how personal her story feels. Her background and resilience have struck a chord with viewers, and her presence brings a sense of inspiration that goes beyond the ballroom. When I watch her, I see not just technique but a performer who makes people feel something and that emotional connection is priceless in a competition like this.
That said, being in the spotlight at the top of the markets brings pressure. Expectations climb higher every week, and I can already sense the scrutiny on every move she makes. But if there’s one thing I’ve noticed about Tasha, it’s that she seems to thrive under pressure. She doesn’t back away from the challenge; she leans into it.
I’ve also been paying attention to how her fellow contestants react. When one competitor rises, it often pushes the others to take bigger risks or deliver even more ambitious performances. It makes for an exciting dynamic one where each week feels like it could completely reshape the competition.
So, as things stand, I can’t help but feel excited about what’s next for her. Whether she ultimately wins or not, Tasha Ghouri’s rise to the head of the markets shows just how much of an impact she’s making this year. For me, she’s already become one of the defining stories of this Strictly Come Dancing season.
Brentford welcome Tottenham Hotspur to west London on New Year’s Day with confidence high, as the Bees continue to defy expectations following the departure of former head coach Thomas Frank.
Many predicted a difficult transition after Frank’s move to Tottenham, but Brentford have retained their momentum under Keith Andrews and head into 2026 sitting three places above Spurs in the Premier League table. They will be aiming to extend a two-game unbeaten run as they welcome their former manager back to west London for the first time.
Home form has been central to Brentford’s strong campaign. The Bees boast the fourth-best home record in the division, having lost just once in nine league matches at the Gtech Community Stadium. Only Aston Villa, Manchester City and Arsenal have fared better on home soil this season.
Despite that, history suggests this fixture has often favoured Tottenham. Brentford have won just one of the previous 14 meetings between the sides and have lost each of the last four top-flight encounters. Spurs also claimed a 2-0 victory when the teams met in north London at the start of December.
Tottenham begin the New Year on the road and arrive fresh from a narrow but controlled 1-0 win away to Crystal Palace. That result followed defeats to Nottingham Forest and Liverpool and eased some of the pressure on Frank, with Spurs starting 2026 in 13th place.
While overall form has been inconsistent, Tottenham’s away record has been a standout feature of their season. They have taken 17 points from a possible 27 on their travels, giving them the best away record in the Premier League so far.
Spurs also have a strong New Year’s Day pedigree in London derbies. They have played eight such fixtures in league competition, losing only once, and have won both Premier League matches played on January 1 against capital rivals.
Brentford, however, will take confidence from their performances at home, where they have already beaten Aston Villa, Manchester United, Liverpool and Newcastle United this season. Back-to-back victories have lifted spirits and they will believe they can avoid defeat this time around.
With Brentford’s home strength set against Tottenham’s impressive away form, a tight and competitive contest looks likely. While Spurs have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, the Bees may be well placed to frustrate their visitors and claim a share of the spoils in an entertaining London derby.
Strictly Come Dancing looks set to be a two horse race in 2025
After a dramatic week in the ballroom, the odds have shifted once again and bookmakers have now ‘named’ their clear favourite. With BBC’s iconic dancing competition in its 23rd series, and the final run with Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, the show is heading into a pivotal semi-final weekend.
George Clarke has reasserted himself at the top of the Strictly Come Dancing betting, with William Hill trimming the internet star into the 8/11 favourite to lift the Glitterball Trophy. His resurgence comes after a brief challenge from former England footballer Karen Carney, who has now drifted to 5/4.
Dave James of What Are The Odds said Clarke’s move back into odds-on territory “signals a major shift in momentum” ahead of the semi-finals.
“George Clarke has firmly reasserted himself at the top of the Strictly market, shortening to 8/11 from 6/5, and he may now be the one to beat,” he explained.
“Karen Carney had enjoyed a remarkable surge, but drifting to 5/4 from 5/6 suggests the tide has turned again. Balvinder Sopal and Amber Davies remain lively contenders, yet at 12/1 and 28/1 the market still views them as outsiders. With the competition heating up, punters are clearly anticipating a tight two-horse race as we head into the final stages.”
Behind the front runners, there is a notable gap in the market. Balvinder Sopal is priced at 12/1, while Amber Davies who has achieved several perfect scores this series — sits further back at 28/1.
With one of the four remaining celebrities set to lift the Glitterball Trophy later this month, Saturday night’s semi-final on BBC One promises to be crucial.
Will Clarke extend his lead, or can Carney mount one final challenge?
Wolves look destined for relegation from the Premier League after a disastrous start that has yielded just two points from their opening 14 matches. They welcome Manchester United to Molineux on Monday evening with hopes fading rapidly and the club rooted to the bottom of the table.
What TV Channel is the Game on?
The match will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event at the kick off time of 8PM in the UK.
A month has passed since Wolves appointed Rob Edwards as manager in place of Vitor Pereira, yet the change has brought no noticeable improvement.
Wolves have lost five consecutive league matches without scoring a single goal, a stark indication of the scale of the challenge facing their new boss.
Wolves remain the only Premier League side without a win this season, and history offers little encouragement. No team has ever survived relegation after collecting such a low points total by this stage of the campaign.
Their league form is worryingly bleak as they enter Monday’s game on an 18-match winless run. Recent records on Monday nights are equally grim, with just one victory in their last ten fixtures played on that day.
Edwards’ immediate priority is to stabilise a team that has conceded at least two goals in seven of their last ten home games. Wolves have beaten Manchester United only once in their last seven meetings at Molineux, and their defensive issues will need urgent attention if they are to avoid another difficult night.
Manchester United arrive in the West Midlands frustrated by their own inability to climb the table. The Red Devils passed up another chance to gain ground on the teams above them when they failed to protect a lead in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham at Old Trafford.
They now sit twelfth, although the congestion in the league means a win could move them significantly closer to the top five.
United are unbeaten in their last four Premier League away matches, their longest such run since the 2021-22 season, but inconsistency remains a problem. Their defensive record on the road is also a concern, with no clean sheets in their last twelve league away games.
United have not won back-to-back away fixtures in the league since February 2024, but with Wolves in freefall, this match presents a clear opportunity.
Given both sides’ poor defensive showings, a high-scoring contest would not be a surprise as United look to extend Wolves’ misery and strengthen their own league position.
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