Specials
Timothee Chalamet and Jessie Buckley well-fancied to win at 98th Academy Awards
The 98th Academy Awards are fast approaching and the latest prices point towards a ceremony dominated by One Battle After Another, Timothée Chalamet and Jessie Buckley – but there are still a few live dangers in the chasing pack.
Let’s take a look at who’s leading the awards markets with William Hill.
Best Picture
One Battle After Another is a strong favourite for Best Picture at 1/3, reflecting its sweep of the early season, including key critics’ prizes and major guild support. Its mix of star power, boxoffice clout and awards momentum makes it the clear one to beat.
Closest in the betting is Sinners at 9/4, positioned as the main alternative for voters who want something slightly edgier, while Hamnet sits third at 7/1 as the prestige literary adaptation option. Marty Supreme and The Secret Agent are out at 20/1 and 66/1 respectively, needing a major late shift in sentiment to mount a genuine challenge.
Prediction: One Battle After Another (1/3)
- One Battle After Another – 1/3
- Sinners – 9/4
- Hamnet – 7/1
- Marty Supreme – 20/1
- The Secret Agent – 66/1
- Sentimental Value – 66/1
*Odds accurate at time of writing
Best Actor
In Best Actor, Timothée Chalamet is a warm favourite at 1/5 for Marty Supreme after a run of headline wins at the Critics’ Choice and other key precursors. Leonardo DiCaprio is the main danger at 11/2 for his role in One Battle After Another, with Michael B. Jordan third in the market at 10/1 for Sinners.
Further out, Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent) is also available at 10/1, while Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon) trades at 28/1 as a longshot play if voters decide to spring a surprise.
Prediction: Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme (1/5)
- Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) – 1/5
- Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another) – 11/2
- Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) – 10/1
- Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent) – 10/1
- Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon) – 28/1
*Odds accurate at time of writing.
Best Actress
Best Actress currently looks like the most onesided of the big three races. Jessie Buckley is a heavy oddson favourite at 1/16 for Hamnet, having led the market from early in the season and strengthened her position with multiple wins.
Rose Byrne is second choice at 8/1 for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, seen as the likeliest candidate to capitalise if Buckley’s campaign somehow stumbles late. Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), Emma Stone (Bugonia) and Kate Hudson (Song Song Blue) are all 20/1 or bigger, and aren’t considered serious threats in the current landscape.
Prediction: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet (1/16)
- Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) – 1/16
- Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You) – 8/1
- Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value) – 20/1
- Emma Stone (Bugonia) – 20/1
- Kate Hudson (Song Song Blue) – 25/1
*Odds accurate at time of writing.
If the markets prove accurate, One Battle After Another, Chalamet and Buckley could be walking away from the 98th Academy Awards with the three biggest prizes in Hollywood.
