What are the best bets?

The first round of voting in the French Presidential election takes place on Sunday with the second round scheduled for a fortnight later.

The system is that the top two this weekend go forward to the final round provided no candidate has got more than 50% of the vote.

At the PB party last night the consensus was that the Socialist contender, Francois Hollande, would win both the first and second rounds of voting – though the polling below suggests that the former might be more challenging. Ladbrokes have 8/11 on that.

Thanks to Chris from Paris for putting together the polling and for all he has provided on the PB threads in the past few months.

PaddyPower have the best first round price on Sarkozy of 6/5. They also have 8/15 again Marine le Pen finishing third.

For the final round the best that’s available on Hollande is 2/9.

Sadly for betting exchange fans like me there’s no Betfair market. The French authorities have taken action against Betfair and you can’t even link to your account when you are holidaying over there.

Latest polling:

Ipsos Sarkozy 27 / Hollande 27 / Le Pen 15.5 / Melenchon 14.5 / Bayrou 11 / Others 5
2d round Hollande 54 / Sarkozy 44

Harris Sarkozy 28 / Hollande 27 / Le Pen 17 / Melenchon 12 / bayrou 11 / others 5
2d round Hollande 53 / Sarkozy 47

Opinion way Sarkozy 27.5 / Hollande 27.5 / Le Pen 16 / Melenchon 13 / bayrou 10 / others 6
2d round Hollande 55 / Sarkozy 45

CSA Hollande 29 / Sarkozy 24 / Le Pen 17 / Melenchon 15 / Bayrou 10 : others 5
2d round 58/42

BVA Hollande 29.5 / Sarkozy 27.5 / Le Pen 14 / Melenchon 13 / Bayrou 12 / others 4
2d round Hollande 56 / Sarkozy 44

IFOP Sarkozy 27.5 / Hollande 26 / Le Pen 16 / Melenchon 13.5 / bayrou 11 / others 6
2d round Hollande 54 / Sarkozy 46

@MikeSmithsonOGH