X Factor Betting Bonanza....big Boys Backing Leona
The X Factor looks finely balanced with bookmakers William Hill making Leona their 4/11 favourite following two £3,000 bets and despite being well backed Ray is the 2/1 outsider of the pair.
Hills predict a rush of bets in the next 24hrs with upwards of half a million pounds expected to be wagered by the start of the show. Whoever wins, Hills make Leona their 1/4 favourite to have the most number 1 singles in 2007, Ray can be backed at 11/4. Perhaps the most telling odds are that Hills think that this will be the last series that Kate Thornton will present and make Myleene Klass their odds on favourite at 4/6 to replace her and offer 4/1 that there are four judges for the next series.
"We think it will be very close on Saturday night and it is very hard to call at this stage. The only thing we are sure of is that is that Saturday will be Kate's last hurrah," said Hills spokesman Rupert Adams.
X Factor Winner: 4/11 Leona, 2/1 Ray
Which Artist Will Have More Number 1's in 2007: 1/4 Leona, 11/4 Ray
6/1 The X Factor 4 to Have Four Judges
Will Kate Thornton Be Presenter for X Factor 4: 2/5 No, 7/4 Yes
Next Permanent Presenter of X Factor: 4/6 Myleene Klass, 5/2 Emma Bunton, 6/1 Patrick Kielty, 8/1 Lisa Tarbuck, 10/1 Cat Deeley, 12 /1 Dermot O'Leary, 14/1 Tess Daly, others on request.
WilliamHill