Sport shorts: Virgil van Dijk is the bookies’ favourite for the Ballon d’Or and Lewis Hamilton expects tough F1 Mexican GP

1. Van Dijk favourite for Ballon d’Or

Liverpool’s star defender Virgil van Dijk is the bookies’ favourite to win the 2019 Ballon d’Or.

The Dutchman was yesterday named on the 30-player shortlist for this year’s award alongside six of his club team-mates: Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Georginio Wijnaldum and Alisson.

Five Manchester City players - Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero - are also on the shortlist.

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According to Sky Bet Van Dijk leads the betting odds ahead of five-time winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 2019 Ballon d’Or winner will be announced in Paris on 2 December.

2019 Ballon d’Or winner betting odds

Prices according to Sky Bet

• Virgil Van Dijk: 2/5
• Lionel Messi: 7/4
• Cristiano Ronaldo: 18/1
• Alisson Becker: 20/1
• Mohamed Salah: 20/1
• Sadio Mane: 20/1
• Bernardo Silva: 40/1
• Kevin De Bruyne: 50/1
• Raheem Sterling: 50/1

2. Bronze and White on women’s shortlist

England duo Lucy Bronze and Ellen White have been shortlisted for the 2019 Women’s Ballon d’Or. United States World Cup winners Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe also make the list along with 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg.

3. Ex-footballers ‘more likely to die of dementia’

Former professional footballers are three-and-a-half times more likely to die from dementia and other neurological diseases than the general population, a new study suggests.

Experts at Glasgow University have been investigating fears that heading the ball could be linked to brain injuries. However, the research also established that ex-pro footballers live longer on average and have a lower risk of heart disease.

Why everyone’s talking about football’s dementia timebomb

4. India seal whitewash

India have secured a 3-0 Test series whitewash over South Africa. Virat Kohli’s No.1-ranked side won the third Test in Ranchi to extend their record of successive home Test victories to 12.

Kohli said: “We believe we can win anywhere. We’ve wanted to be the best team in Test cricket, and as long as we compete, things will work out well for us.”

5. Hamilton: Mexico will be tough

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is expecting a tough weekend for the team at the Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix.

The 18th race of the season takes place this Sunday and Hamilton said: “I think Mexico is generally our worst race of the year because of the way our car is set up and it’s going to be a tough one for us.

“The last few have been pretty shocking, even though we’ve won the title there. I’m hoping for a better weekend but I think it’s going to be very hard to beat the Ferraris with those long straights.”

6. #EmeryOut: Arsenal fans slam boss

Many Arsenal supporters are calling for head coach Unai Emery to be sacked after watching their side crash to a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United last night.

The Gunners had the chance to move back into the Premier League top four, but Lys Mousset’s 30th-minute goal gave the Blades a deserved victory at Bramall Lane.

Emery is a ‘dead man walking’: Arsenal fans want head coach out

7. Patriots extend winning run

Reigning Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots have extended their perfect start to the NFL season after beating the New York Jets 33-0. Tom Brady’s Patriots have won seven out of seven in AFC East.

8. Jones: spies were filming England

England head coach Eddie Jones claims that “spies” watched his squad train today as they prepared for their Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

Jones’s side take on the two-time defending champions in Yokohama on Saturday and he says onlookers filmed the training session in Tokyo Bay from a nearby apartment building.

He did not specifically accuse the All Blacks of spying but joked that they may have sent someone to film the session.

“There was definitely someone in the apartment block filming but it might have been a Japanese fan,” said Jones.

“I don’t care mate. We have got someone there [watching New Zealand training] now. We knew it from the start, but it doesn’t change anything, we love it.”

All Blacks braced for a ‘mighty clash’ in Yokohama

9. Evra confirms talks with United

Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has revealed that a future role at Old Trafford could be in the pipeline.

The Frenchman said: “I am having some important talks behind the scenes so we will decide whether I work for the club in a certain role. A role where I can put my hands dirty. If I come back to the club, it’s not just to put my face on it, it’s because I want my club to go back to the best club in the world.”

Timo Werner and James Maddison on Man Utd attacking hit list

10. Poch fears for his job

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted for the first time that he fears getting the sack.

Spurs have won just three of their 12 games this season and at the weekend were held 1-1 at home by Premier League strugglers Watford.

Tonight Tottenham play in the Champions League against Red Star Belgrade and will look to bounce back from the 7-2 drubbing by Bayern Munich on 1 October.

Pochettino said: “If we don’t improve our performances and results, what is going to be the result? It’s always the same in football. I understand the business.”

Today’s back pages

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino admits he faces the sack