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Football

12th Nov 2024

Alex Scott favourite to replace Gary Lineker as MOTD host

Zoe Hodges

She would be the perfect host!

Former Arsenal and England international Alex Scott is odds on favourite to take over from Gary Lineker as presenter of Match of the Day.

It was announced yesterday that the 63-year-old will leave the football highlights show at the end of the season amid ongoing speculation that the BBC didn’t offer him a new contract.

The footballer turned pundit has been the regular host of the show since 1999 but he will end his 25-year stint on the Saturday night programme at the end of this season.

Lineker will leave the corporation altogether in two years’ time after the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Now a list of potential replacements has emerged and bestoffshoresportsbooks.org traders are saying Alex Scott is the clear favourite to replace him.

The former right-back, who was a part of the Gunners team that won the Quadruple in the 2006/07 season, has enjoyed a successful career as a pundit since hanging up her boots, being a familiar face on the BBC and Sky Sports.

It is expected that the BBC will turn to the former Lioness, who has impressed with her role on Football Focus after she took over from Dan Walker in 2021.

Furthermore, Scott has regularly stood in for Lineker on the programme when he’s been away.

However, the BBC may have to move quickly after it was reported by The Sun last month that Scott may be considering a move to America after feeling unsupported as it was revealed ratings had dropped on Football Focus.

Just behind Scott in the market is MOTD2 anchorman Mark Chapman at 2/1, while one of Lineker’s regular co-hosts Micah Richards is next best at 6/1.

Meanwhile, Gabby Logan is 10/1 to replace Lineker while Kelly Somers is 12/1.