The king’s speech tipped to rule the oscars

[Betfair]

THE KING’S SPEECH looks set to reign supreme at the Oscars on Sunday after the Brit flick was installed as the odds-on favourite at 30-100 on Betfair to win the Best Picture gong. Tom Hooper’s story of how King George VI overcomes his stutter has swept the board this awards season.

Punters on the betting exchange are tipping the movie to win the Academy’s top honour ahead of 9-2 shot The Social Network, while the critically acclaimed Black Swan is a 74-1 outsider.

Colin Firth is a huge odds-on favourite at just 1-18 to be crowned Best Actor for his portrayal of the monarch in The King’s Speech. Firth’s nearest rival for the award is The Social Network’s James Franco at 24-1. And while critics have raved about Jeff Bridges’ performance in True Grit, odds of 43-1 suggest he will leave empty handed.

Although The King’s Speech is tipped for a royal flush of awards on the night, Tom Hooper faces losing out in the Best Director field. Hooper is currently second in the betting at 7-4, behind The Social Network’s David Fincher who is odds-on at 8-11.

Betfair’s Richard Bloch commented: “The King’s Speech has done remarkably well at the Golden Globes and the Baftas, which is always a good indication of how the Academy will vote come the Oscars. With that in mind our customers are backing the film to land two of the big ones in the Best Picture and Best Actor category.”

To win Best Picture – Betfair bet: 30-100 The King’s Speech, 9-2 The Social Network, 45-1 True Grit, 64-1 The Fighter, 74-1 Black Swan, Others 129 and over

To win Best Actor – Betfair bet: 1-18 Colin Firth, 24-1 James Franco, 43-1 Jeff Bridges, 74-1 Jesse Eisenberg, 84-1 Javier Bardem

To win Best Director – Betfair bet: 8-11 David Fincher, 7-4 Tom Hooper, 19-1 Darren Aronofsky, 84-1 Joel and Ethan Coen, 139-1 David O’Russell

To win Best Actress – Betfair bet: 1-9 Natalie Portman, 9-1 Annette Bening, 47-1 Jennifer Lawrence, 89-1 Nicole Kidman, 199-1 Michelle Williams