Who will win The X Factor? It’s the question on everyone’s lips but with just four contestants remaining, X Factor viewers have one final chance to vote for their favourite act of this year’s competition.

27-year-old painter and decorator Matt Cardle (5/6) has occupied the top of the X Factor betting since the live finals began and punters have clearly admired his consistency throughout the show as he still remains the outright favourite to claim the X Factor title and that all important record contract.Simon Cowell’s boy-band One Direction (9/4) are also dreaming of stardom and following some excellent performances in recent weeks, I’m convinced One Direction will be the first group to win The X Factor.

[image]

Two other contestants will have their say though and Rebecca Ferguson (7/2) is one singer who will have plenty of support during the final. The Liverpool born mum-of-two hasn’t been at her very best lately but with so much at stake on Saturday night it could be her powerful, unique voice that captures the public’s attention.
One person who is already on the mind of X Factor viewers, for the wrong reasons, is the enigmatic Cher Lloyd (20/1). Cher, who is under the guidance of mentor Cheryl Cole, was controversially awarded a spot in this week’s final following a dramatic twist last Sunday night. For the past few years the semi-final sing-off was decided by the viewer’s vote but for some strange reason that was ditched in favour of a judge’s vote this time round. Irish singer Mary Byrne performed much better than Cher Lloyd in the sing-off but it was the 17-year-old rapper who ends up in this weekend’s X Factor Final.

X Factor Betting

Surprise, surprise - controversy took centre stage in last weekend’s X Factor live finals as 19-year-old Aiden Grimshaw got eliminated from the show in favour of drama queen Katie Waissel (80/1). X Factor judge Simon Cowell had many questions to answer on The Xtra Factor on Sunday night and without providing a decent response, many die-hard X Factor viewers are beginning to feel that the show has lost its credibility.

Most of my bets were on Aiden so clearly I’m pretty disappointed this week, although Cher Lloyd continues to attract viewers’ votes and I wouldn’t be surprised if her current odds of 8/1 take a hammering in the next couple of weeks. She was advised at 10/1 in this section recently and I’m confident that we haven’t heard the best of her yet – Cher Lloyd definitely has The X Factor!

I was quite impressed with Paije Richardson’s performance last Saturday night and if you feel he has the character to deal with the emotional roller-coaster he is clearly on, then you can have a flutter at the huge odds of 66/1. Another X Factor contestant riding the sensitive wave is Irish singer Mary Byrne. The Tesco worker has had one heck of a journey but is it about to come to an end? Mary can be backed at 40/1 to be crowned this year’s X Factor winner.

[image]

Former painter and decorator, glass-collector and newspaper boy Matt Cardle (is there anything he hasn’t done!) continues to head the betting although he’s been pushed out from last week’s odds of 7/5 to 7/4. Rebecca Ferguson has also drifted slightly in the X Factor betting from 2/1 to 9/4.

Everywhere I turn all I hear are people (mostly females) babbling on about how fantastic boy-band One Direction is. I suppose it’s no surprise then that they are the biggest movers in the market this week. Simon Cowell’s group are now only 5/2 (they were 4/1) to win The X Factor.

Oh yeah, I forgot Wagner was still in the competition – he’s available at 25/1, still!

Next Elimination

X Factor Betting

Not for the first time, controversy surrounds The X Factor amidst suggestions that the show is ‘rigged’. It all stems from ‘Fix’ Factor judge Cheryl Cole refusing to vote after both of her acts performed in the ‘sing off’. Her dubious decision has sparked complaints, and arguments, that the fate of the contestants should lie solely with the public vote.

Personally, I quite like the entertainment and of course it provides an added dimension to this betting article! Speaking of which, last week’s favourite Matt Cardle continues to head the X Factor betting after being pushed in ever so slightly from 6/4 to 7/5. Rebecca Ferguson, who performed an amazing rendition of Adele’s ‘Make You Feel My Love’ last Saturday night, continues to be supported and she is now pushing for X Factor favouritism at odds of 2/1.

[image]

After coming up trumps the previous week, Cher Lloyd is seemingly heading in ‘one direction’. She’s now as big as 10/1 to win the X Factor having been as low as 4/1 last week. Irish singer Mary Byrne is also on the drift, the former Tesco check-out lady is now 33/1 to win that elusive record-deal, although it’s increasingly likely she’ll be occupying the bottom of the market alongside Paije Richardson(80/1) and Katie Waissel (125/1) sometime soon.

Aiden Grimshaw, who was highlighted in this article last week at 25/1, has been cut to 18/1 in the X Factor betting and I think those odds are still quite large, so he’s worth another punt this week. Boy-band One Direction, who are relying on the votes of thousands of young females to keep them in the competition, continue to the head the top of the market, although this week they’ve been pushed out to 4/1. Surprisingly, Wagner continues to attract votes and impress the Paddy Power odds compilers. They remain unchanged on the Brazilian performer, who is still available at 25/1 to win The X Factor (must know something we don’t!).

X Factor Betting

Followers of my X Factor betting article should be happy after I ‘bigged up’ Cher Lloyd’s massive odds last week. The 16-year-old, under the guidance of Cheryl Cole, delivered a stunning performance on Saturday night’s live show and is now as low as 4/1 to be crowned the X Factor winner.

Matt Cardle continues to head the X Factor betting at 9/4 but hot-on-his-heels is Liverpool’s Rebecca Ferguson, who can be punted at 5/2. Boy-band One Direction, who are Simon Cowell’s only act left in the competition, are still priced up at 11/4 but with some of the members seemingly focused on other interests (girls) it remains to be seen whether or not they can continue to attract jealous female voters.

[image]

Mary Byrne, who was transformed from Tesco cashier to X Factor idol, could be reunited with her old position soon. After some below-par efforts, the Irish singer is now as big as 14/1 to win that much sought after record deal. Also joining Mary towards the mid-end of the X Factor betting is Aiden Grimshaw, who hasn’t really cut it in recent weeks but I still reckon he has it in to pull off a ‘Cher’ moment so similar to her situation last week, Aiden’s odds of 25/1 could look extremely silly come Saturday night.

Mentor Louis Walsh has done it again this year. After taking Jedward so far in last year’s X Factor, the over 28’s mentor has propelled Wagner to worldwide fame and the Brazilian performer continues to attract votes from somewhere! Wagner remains unchanged in the betting this week at 28/1.

At this stage of the X Factor, those lurking towards the bottom end of the betting should be really concerned, so Paije Richardson (66/1), TreyC Cohen (80/1) and Katie Waissel (100/1) expect to be viewing the X Factor from the comfort of your living room in the near future!

Best bets:

Outright -
Aiden Grimshaw 25/1

Next Elimination -
Katie Waissel 5/2

X Factor Betting

The X Factor live show continues this weekend and the betting market is finally starting to take shape. It looks like the Paddy Power odds compilers decided to tune in last Saturday and they now realise that Matt Cardle, who has wowed audiences since his first audition and seemingly ticks all the right boxes, was way overpriced all along! The former painter and decorator, who is under the guidance of X Factor judge Dannii Minogue, is now 6/4 to win that elusive record-deal.

I was rolling on the floor laughing last Saturday night when they aired the contestants going shopping in Oxford Street (I hope that wasn’t on the Xtra factor, cause then I’m definitely hooked). Anyway, the reaction of one particular teenage girl was quite hilarious. As a member of boy-band One Direction passed by her and winked, she went into a fit of what can only be described as sheer euphoria, as she jumped up and down franticly screaming ‘he winked at me, he winked at me’. That boy-band in question actually get under my skin, but they are well-fancied (no pun intended) in the betting and remain second favourites at 11/4.

Cher Lloyd, who Simon refers to as ‘this competition needs someone like you’, continues to be perform impressively and the 10/1 odds on offer will surely come tumbling down in the next couple of weeks. The 17-year-old, who is a ringer for her mentor Cheryl Cole, surprisingly suffered an emotional roller-coaster this week (not for the first time) after being the subject of taunts and boos from a large section of the crowd as the X Factor contestants made an appearance at a Tinie Tempah concert.

[image]

One person who doesn’t share the above hatred is the lovable Rebecca Ferguson. The Liverpool lass is 4/1 in the betting and despite me opposing her last week, it’s probably safe to say Rebecca owned the stage in her last performance. After two sensational weeks of perfection, Irish singer Mary Byrne has seemingly run her race following her mediocre effort last weekend. She was 6/1 prior to that but the bookies can’t give her away right now and she currently trades at 12/1.

There hasn’t been much change, pricewise, for the remaining X Factor contestants with Aiden Grimshaw available at 16/1, TreyC Cohen 40/1, Paije Richardson 66/1 and Belle Amie 100/1. Both Wagner and Katie Waissel can be punted at 25/1 but I think one of them will get eliminated this weekend. The price on that occuring is 11/4 and 8/1 respectively.

X Factor Betting

Following the addition of four wildcards, and the loss of four acts, normal business resumes on the X Factor this weekend as the familiar ‘final twelve’ battle it out to be crowned king, or queen, of brit pop!

FYD, Nicola Festa, Storm Lee and Diva Fever failed to convince viewers that they had The X Factor and all four now find themselves eliminated from the competition. Pre live-show favourite Matt Cardle still remains near the top of the X Factor betting (11/4) but it’s Simon Cowell’s boyband, One Direction (5/2), that leads the way, after many experts tipped them to secure that elusive record deal!

One lady who certainly has the X Factor is 50-year-old Irish woman Mary Byrne, who wowed audiences and was given a prolonged standing ovation in both her live show performances to date. The Tesco cashier has moved from an opening price of 25/1 into as low as 6/1! Her romantic interest, Brazilian stud Wagner, somehow still remains in the X Factor but with competition hotting up, the ex-lion tamer looks a safe bet to be the Next Elimination.

[image]

Despite her meltdown in front of Will I Am & Cheryl Cole, 16-year-old Cher Lloyd fully justified her top 3 pick, after she produced some funky moves and melodies during her opening two X Factor live performances. It remains to be seen whether or not she can handle her cool under immense pressure but the current odds of 9/1 look appealing! Cher’s friend (or is she her foe?) Katie Waissel endured the discomfort of a sing-off on the opening live show but her peserverance is admirable and she’s not without a shout at the huge odds of 33/1.

Under the radar so far is Liverpool resident and X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson (6/1), who has quietly gone about her business. It’s difficult to sum up her performances and at the current odds, she offers little value. One person who does stand out in the X Factor betting is the animated Aiden Grimshaw, who stunned X Factor viewers with his version of Mad World in week 1. Not surprisingly, it also turned out to be a major hit on YouTube! Aiden is 8/1 to be crowned the X Factor winner and that looks a great bet right now.

X Factor Betting

The X Factor kicks into top gear this weekend as the Final 12, along with their four judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole, take to the stage in the live show.

Many fans were left fuming last weekend about some of the acts that made it this far, and none more so than Gamu Nhengu’s failure to make it to the X Factor live finals.

The Zimbabwe-born singer was ditched by judge Cheryl Cole amidst rumours that she was facing deportation from the UK. Since then, over 200,000 facebookers have signed up to a webpage dedicated to Gamu, in an attempt to encourage X Factor bosses to allow her onto the show. However, all isn’t lost. Simon Cowell has hinted of a twist in the tale for the opening night of the live finals, which gets underway this Saturday night, and it’s rumoured that a number of ‘wildcards’, voted for by the public, will be added to the ‘Final 12′.

As it stands, painter and decorater Matt Cardle heads the X Factor betting at 11/4. The controversial figure that is Gamu, is available at 7/2 (with a run, meaning bets will be refunded should she not be added as a wildcard). Liverpool-born Rebecca Ferguson, who’ll be hoping she doesn’t fall by the wayside like the red-half of Merseyside, is priced up at 4/1 alongside boyband 1 Direction, who are available at 9/2. Following her breakdown at the judges house last weekend, 17-year old Cher Lloyd should be viewing the X Factor from the comfort of her couch this Saturday night, but she’s in and the teen rapper can be punted at odds of 8/1. Irish singer, and Tesco worker, Mary Byrne is currently priced at 25/1 and the best value for me is Damien Rice singing Aiden Grimshaw 10/1 and girl group Belle Amie, who are available at 25/1!

[image]

Verdict

Boyband 1 Direction, who were pitched together after they all failed in their solo audition, made a promising start to their new career in front of Simon Cowell last weekend but at the short odds on offer they are easily opposed. Belle Amie are the female equivalent of 1 Direction and from a male point of view, all four are stunning, singers that is! Ok, who am I kidding, they are all beautiful too. Mobo award winner John Adeleye, who is currently 20/1, represents the over 28’s category and I quite fancy his chances of winning the X Factor.

Who do I hope wins? Matt Cardle (captivating character and the best voice in the competiton)

X Factor Bets: Aiden Grimshaw 10/1, John Adeleye 20/1 & Belle Amie 25/1

X Factor Betting

Betting Review

Never let it be said that we don’t know our darts. With his Players Championship win at Nuland his first title since 2001, and with the likes of Adrian Lewis, Michael van Gerwen and James Wade in his way at the European Championships, we knew it would take a lot for Steve Beaton to progress. However, the likeable Midlander did us proud with some stunning performances on his way to the final in Hoofddorp where he fell at the final hurdle to Phil Taylor. Still, with our each way punt at 125/1 that landed us a 31.25 point profit.
 

1pt Danyl Johnson to be next to be eliminated from X-Factor at 5/1

When the 28 year old teacher strode onto the stage at the London auditions and gave a performance that Simon Cowell described as “the best first audition I have ever seen” we thought that we’d got a nailed-on X-Factor winner. When the live TV shows began he led the betting…and then the backlash began.

Johnson is clearly the most talented singer amongst the group. However, for some odd reason he has failed to charm the British public in the way that Olly and Stacey have and two weeks ago came within a whisker of being eliminated from the competition. His performance in ‘Rock Week’ also left much to be desired and so whilst he might be the best singer, he’s not the most popular contestant.

The public haven’t taken to him, and with neither of the female judges being entirely convinced it is more than conceivable that a ‘bottom two’ finish will see him voted out by the panel. I think it would be a travesty from a talent point of view but it’s a popularity contest as much as a singing contest and for that reason I believe his days are numbered.
X Factor Betting
 

1pt Fleeting Spirit to win the Breeders Cup sprint at 11/1

The row between Jeremy Noseda and French racing officials over the treatment of Fleeting Spirit at the Prix de l’Abbaye continues to rumble. The Newmarket trainer’s horse was beaten by a neck in the Abbaye, a result which Noseda thinks would have been reversed had the officials at Longchamps been more helpful when loading the filly at the start.

With a recent change of jockey from Tom Queally to Frankie Dettori - the man who gave the filly her first win at Nottingham - Fleeting Spirit will be looking to make amends for the controversial Abbaye defeat with a win in the $2million Breeders Cup Sprint this weekend.

The four year old rallied terrifically in the Abbaye and looks great value at 11/1 to triumph at Santa Anita this weekend.
Horse Racing Betting
 

1pt accumulator on Chelsea, Stoke City, Sporting Gijon, AZ and FC Twente at approx 55/1

There’s often value to be had looking at the European coupons and this week is no exception.

Steve McLaren’s FC Twente side sit proudly on top of the Dutch Eredivisie, undefeated in 12 games. Confidence is high, they are playing well and in Bryan Ruiz and Blaise N’Kufo they have two of the divisions most potent strikers. They face Ajax on Sunday and at 7/5 I have to take the home win. Elsewhere in Holland, AZ are ‘evens’ to see of a Feyenoord side missing star players Jon-Dahl Tomasson and Sekou Cisse after their recent red cards at Sparta. AZ are a shadow of the side that won the title last season but should have enough to see off Mario Been’s depleted side.

Chelsea look great value at 11/10 to see of a misfiring Manchester United side at Stamford Bridge and similarly Stoke are 6/4 to beat struggling Hull.
Sporting Gijon sit in the top half of La Liga having recorded some excellent recent results including a 0-0 draw with Real Madrid. They are 5/4 to beat Espanyol at El Molinon and with midfielder Miguel in the goals recently, I like their chances.
 

0.5 points each way Martin Laird to win the HSBC World Golf Championships in Shanghai (e/w ¼ odds 1,2,3,4,5) at 100/1

Twenty of the world’s top thirty golfers head to the Sheshan Golf Club in Shanghai this week for the newest addition to the World Golf Championships series.

Whilst the focus might be on favourites Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood, I like the look of a young Scotsman making quite a name for himself on the PGA Tour.

Martin Laird turned pro in 2004 and has been gradually improving his game on the PGA Tour over the last five years. 2009 has been his most successful season to date with five Top Ten finishes and over $2million earned. He was second to John Rollins at the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open in August before securing his first title with a win at the Justin Timberlake Shriners for Children Open in Las Vegas last month. The tall twenty-six year old is a 100/1 shot to win in Shanghai and his recent excellent form could make him a dark horse.
Golf Betting
 
Performance to date: +13.25 points

So, despite none of our long shots profiting last weekend it was a reasonable start to this column. Canadian golfer Graham Delaet briefly reached the top twenty leaderboard in the Alfred Dunhill Links during his second round but a third round 74 saw the 27 year old eventually finish six under par, fourteen shots behind runaway winner Simon Dyson.

Liverpool were disappointing against Chelsea and to say that Manchester United looked a shadow of their normal selves against Sunderland would be an understatement. Let’s see if we can do better this time.
 

Portugal v Hungary to be a draw: 1.5 poinst at 6/1

With Argentina struggling in the South American qualifiers and Portugal in third place in Group One there is a very real chance that next summer’s World Cup will take place without the world’s two outstanding individual talents, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Portugal have been extremely disappointing in qualifying under the stewardship of ex Manchester United assistant Carlos Quieiroz. So bad have their performances been that the Portuguese FA desperately fast-tracked the naturalisation process for Brazilian striker Liedson in August causing controversy and protests from the Portuguese Football Player’s Union.

Betting against a home win for the talented Portuguese against Hungary looks like a risky strategy. However, when you consider that the home team haven’t won any of their home qualifying matches to date (including draws against the likes of Albania and Sweden and a defeat to Denmark) it isn’t such a strange idea. Hungary are level on points with Portugal and have a chance to reach the play-offs themselves and so aren’t likely to roll over and hand the home team a win.

Portugal have really struggled for goals so far and with Ronaldo being a doubt for this match it could well be another frustrating night for Carlos Queiroz’s side. A Hungary win at 14/1 might be a tall order but the draw at 6/1 looks entirely conceivable.
Football Betting
 

Miss Frank to be first act eliminated on X-Factor: 1 point at 7/1

The groups have historically been the weakest performers over the five series of ITV’s exceptionally popular Saturday evening talent show. With the exception of some brief success for the likes of Journey South, G4 and Same Difference the groups have struggled to grab the public attention and for every JLS there’s been an Eton Road or 4Tune. Who? Exactly.

Louis Walsh mentors the groups again this time round in one of the widest contests there has been. With some terrific solo vocalists in each category the Irish impresario is odds on to be the first judge eliminated and it’s not hard to see why. He chose ex-strippers Kandy Rain, the cobbled together threesome Miss Frank and the hateful twins John and Edward to be his representatives in this year’s competition and I have no doubt that one of these three will be the first to be eliminated this weekend.

How John and Edward have reached the live shows, I am not sure but I have a sneaking suspicion that the public might keep them in the contest - not because their talent deserves it but for sheer entertainment value. That leaves Louis’ two other groups as the most likely to go and with not much to choose between them it might be worth a punt on Miss Frank at 7/1 to be the first to leave this Sunday.
X Factor Betting
 

London Irish to beat Leinster by 21-30 points: 0.5 points at 40/1

The Heineken Cup kicks off with a mouthwatering match this Friday night as reigning champions Leinster take on the Guinness Premiership side London Irish at the RDS Arena. Leinster are ranked third in European rugby and sit on top of the Magners League after five games. Their strong defence that carried them to the Heineken Cup last May has been in effect again this season as the Irish side have conceded fewer points than anyone else so far.

Despite being odds-on favourites, I think there could be a huge upset on Friday to really kick-start the fifteenth Heineken Cup. London Irish have been in irrepressible form over recent weeks and at 16/1 they were my tip last week to take the Cup at the Stade de France in May. Toby Booth’s side are scoring for fun and they could send a real message to their rivals on Friday.

London Irish are 40/1 to win by between 21 and 30 points and whilst this might need a combination of top form and a Leinster off day, it’s worth a small investment.
Rugby Betting
 

Pablo Martin to win the Madrid Masters:0.5pts Each Eay on at 100/1

Pablo Martin made history when he became the first amateur to win a European Tour event with his victory at the 2007 Estoril Open de Portugal at Quinta da Marinha, Oitavos Golf. Despite a disappointing Alfred Dunhill championship last weekend the 23 year old Spaniard has been on good form recently with top forty finishes at both the Austrian Open and Omega European Masters in September.

The Madrid Masters sees a strong Spanish contingent of golfers with Sergio Garcia leading the home challenge alongside compatriots Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Carlos Del Moral and Jose Manuel Lara.

Martin made the cup at this tournament last year before two disappointing final rounds and at 100/1 he is a good each-way chance for win on his home soil.
Golf Betting

Performance to date: -3 pts