Online bookmakers Paddy Power is backing Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops to make it to the No.1 spot this Christmas.
The game is the clear 1/6 odd on favourite for the festive crown, with FIFA 11 at 7/1, Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood at 8/1 and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit an outside bet at 16/1.
Roberto Coladangelo, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “The number of reports on record pre-orders and the shops preparing themselves for a barrage of gamers leaves us with little option but to make the game a massive favourite for the Christmas top spot.”
Paddy Power is also offering odds of 8/15 that the game will go on to sell over 20 million copies worldwide.
The 2009 Christmas No.1 was Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, winning out over FIFA 10, Wii Fit Plus, Wii Sports Resort and Assassin’s Creed II. You’d have to be a brave man to bet against Black Ops from repeating the success of MW2.
There was a time when Need for Speed also dominated the Christmas season, and with Hot Pursuit looking like a return to form for the franchise, those looking to back a dark horse could do a lot worse than have a flutter on Criterion’s racer.
