Chances of defenders developing swollen heads (4)

I believe the answer is:

odds

'chances' is the definition.
(the odds of something happening)

'of defenders developing swollen heads' is the wordplay.
'heads' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'of defenders developing swollen' is 'ODDS'.

(Other definitions for odds that I've seen before include "Ratios set by bookies" , "Betting rates" , "(In betting) chances" , "They could be evens" , "Chance" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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