The World Swimming Championships are slowly drawing to an end in Shanghai and while there have not been many major surprises so far, betting has been keen on several events. Michael Phelps has drawn a lot of attention and money in races he has contested and he has finally repaid the faith put in him by punters by winning the 200-meter butterfly. With the Olympics only twelve months away, swimmers are using this meet to gauge the improvements they need to make to find success next year.

One event that has surprised many is the 100-meters men’s freestyle final. Brazil’s Cesar Cielo is the defending champion and was a short price to take the final. His qualifying time was only the fourth fastest behind a flying James Magnussen who qualified with a time below 48 seconds. His time surprised himself and most of the other swimmers with the next best, American Nathan Adrian, .15 of a second slower. While that doesn’t sound like much, in swimming it’s a lot.

Magnussen has now been promoted to a 5/11 favourite by bookmakers to take the title with ‘any other swimmer’ quoted at 17/11. The price on offer for Magnussen is very short and the big question is whether or not he has peaked too early and already run his race. Adrian looked good in qualifying and may have a little left up his sleeve while you can never underestimate Cielo. His big difficulty will be the lane he has put himself in with that slower time.

Swimming is not a sport that many punters consider betting on, yet it can deliver some good returns. At 17/11, we’re backing the Adrian to win from Magnussen. Adrian has swum some good times and looks primed for this final, and racing alongside Magnussen will give him the opportunity to pounce over the last 25 meters.