ELECTION 2017: BOOKIES’ VERDICT ON SOUTH WALES SEATS:

THE latest bookmakers’ analysis of the election suggests Labour could be ousted from a string of battleground seats and wiped out in North Wales in a historic repainting of the political map on June 8.

William Hill predicts the Conservatives will win 18 of Wales’ 40 seats in what would be its best result since 1852.

The bookies expect the Lib Dems to retake the fiercely contested seat of Cardiff Central, which Labour won in 2015.

Former Plaid Cymru Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones is tipped to take Anglesey from Labour. And the Tories could be on course to win Bridgend – which is represented in the Assembly by First Minister Carwyn Jones – as well as both Labour-held Newport seats.

The Conservatives could also take the four seats in northeast Wales that Labour won in 2015.

The Tories have been given the best odds of winning the most seats in Wales on June 8 (8/11), with Labour on evens, Plaid on 66/1 the Lib Dems on 100/1.

Here is how William Hill predicts the election could play out in Wales: Conservatives: 18 (+7) Labour: 16 (-9) Plaid: 4 (+1) Lib Dems 2 (+1) Joe Crilly of bookmakers William Hill said: “Despite that fact that this is a snap election and by the time the result is announced it will not be at the culmination of a five year cycle we are still predicting that this could be a record-breaking election in terms of betting turnover. The Tories are such overwhelming favourites that we have already seen countless five figure bets on them winning.”

Mr Crilly said Wales “could prove to be quite the battleground over the next few weeks”.