World Athletics Championships 2025 Betting Preview: Odds & Predictions

World Athletics Championships Men’s 100m Winner Odds and Prediction

In the most highly anticipated race at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, the men’s 100m event is sure to have an array of fireworks. Kishane Thompson and Noah Lyles are set for a duel on the track, but Oblique Seville can’t be overlooked, either.

It should be a thriller between the best sprinters in the world. I expect it to be a nail-biter between Thompson and Lyles. These are two different sprinters, but they typically end up being the final two at the wire.

Lyles is a slow starter but builds up his speed throughout 100m. If he could become a more explosive starter out of the blocks, this wouldn’t be too much of a conversation. Lyles would clearly be the best 100m runner.

On the other side, the Jamaican sprinter is an excellent starter and explodes off the starting line. He often builds up a lead that Lyles can’t overcome due to the Americans’ slow start. Again, I don’t know if Lyles is going to have the extra kick to find the closing speed here, either.

Revenge for Kishane Thompson!

The 🇯🇲 clocks 9.87 to beat @LylesNoah in the 100m in their first meeting since the @Paris2024 @Olympics final a year ago. #DiamondLeague#SilesiaDL🇵🇱
📸 @DanVernonPhoto / @GorczynskaMarta pic.twitter.com/nzT9D35xci

— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) August 16, 2025

Last month, in Silesia at the Diamond League meet, Thompson edged out Lyles by 0.3 seconds with a time of 9.87 seconds. Note that this was Thompson’s second race in three days, and in a different country after his flight was delayed. That wasn’t his best, and he still managed to fend off Lyles.

At the Olympics, only 0.005 seconds separated Thompson and Lyles, with the American prevailing. It’s going to be razor close at the wire, but Thompson’s start should be too much for Lyles to catch for gold!

World Athletics Championships Men’s 200m Winner Odds and Prediction

In the 200m, Lyles should be in peak form in a race that suits his strengths. The American is a three-time world champion in the 200m, with titles in 2019, 2022, and 2023. He was upset at Paris 2024 but was dealing with COVID-19 and clearly not running at 100%.

You don’t want to make any excuses for runners, though it was evident he wasn’t at his best. In 2025, I fully expect Lyles to return to the top of the mountain in the 200m at the World Athletics Championships.

At the 2025 U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships last month, Lyles came out on top with a time of 19.63 seconds over Kenny Bednarek’s 19.67 seconds. The two rivals, who had a stare down and confrontation in that race, will clash again in Tokyo.

Noah Lyles vs. Kenny Bednarek didn’t disappoint in a tense 200m. 🍿

📺 NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/NEADV4AcKF

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 3, 2025

Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo is Lyles’ greatest threat in this one. However, Lyles’ form appears to be rounding into peak shape at the perfect time. As I noted, Lyles is a late starter, which benefits him nicely at 200m versus the shorter 100m race. His late kick in the stretch is the difference here.

Lyles should probably be -375 to win here, so there is a bet to consider here for your 2025 World Athletics Championships best bets.

World Athletics Championships Men’s 400m Hurdles Winner Odds and Prediction

The World Athletics Championships odds at the best sports betting sites suggest we are setting up for a duel between Norway’s Karsten Warholm and the USA’s Rai Benjamin.

Benjamin pulled off the win at Paris 2024 with a time of 46.46 seconds over Warholm’s 47.06 seconds in the 400m hurdles. The odds for that race favored Warholm, too, with a price of +130 against Benjamin’s +180 odds.

KING BEN 👑

Rai Benjamin got his gold in the 400 hurdles with a 46.46 at #Paris2024 🇺🇸#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/wsDIhN2IOU

— USATF (@usatf) August 9, 2024

I backed Benjamin, and I’m going to ride with the 28-year-old for a second time at the World Athletics Championships. Benjamin was beaten by Warholm at the BAUHAUS-Galan in Sweden with a time of 46.54 seconds against Warholm’s 46.28 seconds.

The multi-year rivalry continues in Tokyo, and I expect another close battle to the wire. Although Warholm is coming off a win in their latest battle, Benjamin could just as easily return the favor at the Worlds.

Getting Benjamin at plus odds is a strong bet to consider in the men’s 400m hurdle event in Tokyo.

World Athletics Championships Men’s Javelin Throw Winner Odds and Prediction

Julian Weber is the driver’s seat as a -125 favorite over Neeraj Chopra. I’m not counting out the talented Chopra, but he needs to be close to perfect for a gold medal.

Weber is having a big season and is unlikely to stop at the World Athletics Championships. The powerful German athlete is coming off a huge showing with a 91.51m throw for a personal best at the Diamond League final.

What a series from Julian Weber 🇩🇪 in the javelin in Zurich! 🥵

91.37m
91.51m WL
X
83.66m
86.45m
88.66m

A world lead and lifetime best to win the Diamond League title! 🏆 #DiamondLeague pic.twitter.com/Mq3HaSqC0a

— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) August 28, 2025

While Chopra finished second, it wasn’t a close second in the event. Weber destroyed the competition, with Chopra not even in the same area code. If we’re going to see more of the same, then it will likely be a similar ending.

Even if Weber’s form drops slightly, I don’t see Chopra or anyone else threatening the favorite. Weber should be closer to -200, so I love the value here for my 2025 World Athletics Championships picks.

World Athletics Championships Women’s 400m Winner Odds and Prediction

The USA’s Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is favored to win gold in the women’s 400m, but I believe the wrong runner has the leading odds here. The Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino is the best and most proven at 400m in this race.

Paulino is having an impressive season, including a time of 48.81 seconds in France in the Diamond League. Additionally, Paulino has wins at the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia and Miami.

Marileidy Paulino made history! 🇩🇴 🔥

Paulino won Olympic gold and shattered the 400m record with 48.17s at #Paris2024!
From silver in Tokyo to gold in Paris—this victory was for the DR and every dreamer. 🏅#Olympics pic.twitter.com/5haCqxJJgm

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 30, 2024

This follows Paulino’s gold medal performance at Paris 2024 at 400m. While McLaughlin-Levrone has all the talent in the world and is unbeaten at this distance, she hasn’t defeated the top runners. Getting past Paulino and even Salwa Eid Naser will prove to be tough.

McLaughlin-Levrone has a chance but offers no value as a favorite. Back Paulino at this fantastic price to bring home another gold to the Dominican Republic.