Fred Done, co-founder of Birchwood-based Betfred, discusses The Wire and the Premier League in his latest column

WARRINGTON Wolves’ marquee man Blake Austin is now 8/1 favourite at Betfred to be voted the 2019 Steve Prescott Man of Steel Award winner.

And The Wire are the 4/1 joint favourites along with Saints to go one better and win the Betfred Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 12.

The former Canberra Raiders half-back had a debut to remember against Widnes on Sunday, scoring a tenacious first-half try before playing a part in three more scores after the break.

Wolves coach Steve Price is confident that his performance was a sign of things to come as his side look to their round one opener at home against Leeds Rhinos on Saturday, February 2.

“He’s going to be fantastic for us,” Price said. “All the players love what he’s bringing to our club.”

The recruitment of star men such as Austin, who celebrates his 28th birthday 24 hours before the eagerly-awaited opener, is just what our game needs.

X-factor is what we love – and that’s what the Aussie playmaker who is a Portugal international can bring to The Wire.

We at Betfred are top price guaranteed with our odds to win the Grand Final – and it will take some going to beat our prices on Man of Steel and top Super League new season try scorer.

Behind new boy Austin to be Man of Steel, we have Daryl Clark at 16/1 and Stefan Ratchford – man of the match in last year’s Grand Final defeat against Wigan – is 25/1.

Meanwhile winger Josh Charnley is 7/1 joint favourite with Castleford’s Greg Eden to be top try scorer with the self-styled Flying Pig Tom Lineham available at 16/1.

It should be an interesting and even more competitive season with the added spice of the well-publicised rule changes.

Turning to the Premier League and Spurs have kept their faint title hopes alive with a last-gasp 2-1 win at London rivals Fulham.

They were without injured talisman and top scorer Harry Kane and struggled against the second from bottom hosts who looked to have secured a point with five seconds of injury time remaining.

Then another Harry – Winks in midfield – popped up to head the winner to ensure the title isn’t quite a two horse race between leaders Liverpool and City.

Tottenham have consequently been cut to 50/1 from 66/1 to be champions at Betfred, with Liverpool 8/11 favourites, second-place City 11/10.

Chelsea and inform Manchester United are at 250/1 – and Arsenal are the 500/1 outsiders from the top six.

With free-scoring City seemingly all change up front every week, Raheem Sterling on ten goals with more shots on target than all his rivals at other clubs is the biggest mover at Betfred in the battle for the golden boot.

He was on target again in City’s straight-forward 3-0 win at bottom club Huddersfield in the earlier Sunday game.

Betfred now have the England flyer at 40/1 from 50/1 last week with Liverpool’s Mo Salah, who scored twice in the thrilling 4-3 triumph against Crystal Palace at Anfield making it 16 in the league, the clear 4/6 favourite for the honour.

With Spurs and England striker Kane out until March with ankle damage he’s drifted to 10/1 while Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – who like Kane has got 14 – is 3/1 at Betfred.