2022 Academy Awards predictions & free Oscars betting tips

Free Oscars tips, best bets and analysis for the 2022 Academy Awards after the nominations were revealed.

Best bet

The Power of the Dog to win Best Picture
1pt 4-6 general

Betting preview

The nominations for the 2022 Academy Awards raised just as many questions as they answered when they were announced on Tuesday.

The Power of the Dog, a Netflix Western drama starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst, fared best of all with 12 nominations including all the major categories you would want to see a Best Picture contender appearing in.

It is strongly fancied by bookmakers to land at least two gongs. Director Jane Campion, who had not directed a feature film since 2009, is a red-hot favourite at 1-5 to take Best Director, while Australian Kodi Smit-McPhee is odds-on to land the Best Supporting Actor honour.

There were surprises in the list, but frustratingly they mostly made the betting markets more one-sided than more competitive. Lady Gaga looked a live contender for Best Actress for her role as Patrizia Reggiani in The House Of Gucci, and had been the second favourite at prices as short as 5-2, but wasn't nominated.

The Academy's dislike of singer-turned actresses was also evident in Jennifer Hudson not making the list either for her brilliant portrayal of Aretha Franklin in Respect. That left room for Kristen Stewart to get in after playing Princess Diana in Spencer, but Nicole Kidman heads the markets for her role as Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos.

Will Smith is another short-priced jolly in the Best Actor category for his entertaining depiction of tennis's most famous father, Richard Williams, in King Richard.

Sci-fi epic Dune looked to be making a strong run after beating The Power of the Dog 11-8 in BAFTA nominations and starting well during the announcements, but its ten nominations strangely didn't include one for director Denis Villeneuve, which would seriously count against it being a Best Picture contender.

Kenneth Branagh's superb drama Belfast garnered seven nominations, the same number as Stephen Spielberg's remake of West Side Story, but neither looks likely to take the top honour ahead of The Power of the Dog.

At this stage, taking the best price you can find for The Power of the Dog is advised as it is hard to make a case for an upset.

Not got a William Hill account? Sign up and bet £10 to get £30 in free bets

Open a new account using Promo code H30 only, Min £10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport