The X Factor 2007

[Beanie]

Quick week review before the results...

Rhydian - poor - performances were messy and we've seen it all before. One of his worst weeks.

Niki - sang very well, personality shocking.

Leon - pretty poor, although better than I thought he might be. In terms of winning though he's got to do so much better.

SD - not as good as last week - voices were back to being a bit on/off, although the touch with the kids coming on was inspired!

Hope - no improvement again. Flat in the first song, shouty in the second. Very occasional shows of potential, but na, should go this week.

[Beanie]

Originally Posted by Beanie

4pts Hope Next Elimination @ 1.86 with Betfair

Thank fook - wasn't looking forward to them somehow staying after last week. Now the competition really starts...all to play for(well for 2nd atleast.)

[Beanie]

Originally Posted by Beanie

5pts Same Difference Best Group @ 2.50 with Totesport

Think most of us had that one...was always too big a price.

[trickrick]

Well I've been away from the action for the last couple of weeks, so relying on comments here for the details...

Good to see Same Difference march on - top group was never in doubt ..

However...Niki is stll worryingly looms heavy..... What the fuck does this woman hold on the public? Voice is ok...She's sorted on the cruise ship around the Med.But c'mon....Top 2.....?..

[trickrick]

Songs for this weekend...

Leon - The Very Thought Of You
Leon - How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You
Niki - Songbird
Niki - One Moment In Time
Rhydian - Bridge Over Troubled Water
Rhydian - You’ll Never Walk Alone
Same Difference - Chain Reaction
Same Difference - Never Had A Dream Come True

Well interesting...

Leon...Hmm...The market mover takes a couple of risks here, but surely his fanbase will save him..

Niki..Could this be (finally) the day the Brummie Witch takes a tumble. She has her following for sure, but this is same old, same old...*yawn*..

Rhydian..Could be another special week for the Special One..

Same Difference..Great choices and I'm sure Simon will want them in the final 3 at least..

Well I've made it quite obvious since week 1 (when I placed a bet on her to be the 1st elimination..) that Niki is a crock 'o shit, and hopefully my hopes will be a reality this week...Still a risk as she can pull off a belter with the safe songs she has (including this week), and she obviously is liked by the more mature voting audience. However I get the feeling SD could well be the stars of the show this weekend, and with that in mind my money is on Niki to go..I've missed the 2/1, but the 15/8 will do me..

Niki to be eliminated in Week 8 - 6 pt stake @ 15/8 (Paddypower)

[Beanie]

Nice one trick.

I might(and thats a big might at the moment) sit this one out - simply because I already have enough riding on the winner W/O Rhydian market as it is.

First off, I'm pretty sure that Leon is gonna get 2nd this year. I don't know where its come from, and god knows his voice doesn't merit it, but he's built himself a big fanbase from somewhere which should see him do well.

Niki - 2nd best voice in the competition, but the worst personality and least marketable image. I think Simon knows that and will try and get her out this week. In addition, that 2nd song shouldn't go well - I'll be impressed if she manages to pull it off. Her higher register is very poor, especailly when compared to her lower register - can see her struggling with that one.

SD - not sure about that 2nd song choice, but the real question is whether it would matter to their fanbase. A steps song and an S Club song just to pander to their fans, who will probably vote regardless. Hopefully they make it.

More later, but I too will be hoping for Niki's exit.

[Beanie]

Looking at the songs again the prices look about right - Niki's price has shortened in and I've got enough of a vested interest in her going to mean I'll sit this one out.

[stereoman]

Originally Posted by Beanie

First off, I'm pretty sure that Leon is gonna get 2nd this year. I don't know where its come from, and god knows his voice doesn't merit it, but he's built himself a big fanbase from somewhere which should see him do well.

It might very well be a Scottish thing which has generally in the past proven to be quite fervent for various reality shows over the years (not necessarily enough to get the outright win though with only Michelle McManus' win in Pop Idol 2 seemingly the exception to the rule).

Well done on the 'Niki to be eliminated' gamble, fellas!

[Beanie]

That's true stereo - altho even then his consistently sub standard performances must even be beginning to grate on his most fervent of fans.

Reviewing last night - Rhyds was good but predictable again, Leon poor(shocking dancing, really doesn't look good on stage at all) - SD good - really have their image nailed now, her singing has improved plenty, and even threw in a sob story which will have won plenty new fans.

I've changed my mind, SD should be able to take 2nd without too much fuss, while Rhydian picks up the win despite numerous ramps for both other acts on various forums during the week.

Leon - inconsistent, dodgy trousers, can't dance, too nervous - it's surfaced virtually every week until now, so I can't see him overcoming it for the final. He's got solid support, no doubt, but I no longer think that its bigger than the SD support.

SD - so many things in their favour - style, image, only act actually putting on a full performance - both the others are a bit dull, Louis getting stuck in every week is undoubtedly good news, winners song is a duet, Simon in charge, sob stories etc etc etc...could go on forever.

So...to win? In normal circumstances I'd give them a genuine chance, but not on finals night. The sole reason is that for all that Rhydian has become a bit dull and predictable, finals night attracts a lot of infrequent viewers, as well as a lot of first time voters, who will only base their decision on singing ability, and on that Rhydian wins hands down over either the other two.

So at the moment I still cant see anyone pipping Rhydian(altho whether 1.39 is value is another question entirely) but I can see SD taking 2nd and so decent value there.

Long week though...plenty to change. What do we reckon fellas?

[pistol984]

Kylie dueting with Leon in the final might bring him a few more votes. Rhydian is stuck with welsh opera bird and SD are singing with Jason Donovan.

Surely, first time voters are going to side with the Kylie performance. Then there's the whole cancer sympathy vote. If she comes out with a shaved head then Leon will be stick on to win.

[stereoman]

Leon is surely the spoiler. The single though really is geared towards both Rhydian and Same Difference though.

I was thinking Simon Cowell might have picked Ray Quinn for his tax loss (D'OH!! I never realised that Simon really wanted to groom Leona into such a star or that the public would take to her in such a way) but it wouldn't surprise me if Leon Jackson's going to get the brunt of it.

William Hill's hoping for a Leon win at any rate. Today's Bettingzone Market Moves:

1255: Bookies William Hill are gearing up for a reality TV betting bonanza as the X Factor reaches its conclusion tomorrow.

"The X Factor final is one of, if not the biggest, reality TV betting nights of the year and we fully expect to take up to £4,000 a minute in the final hours," said Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.

"We are desperate for Leon to win as he is likely to be a six-figure winner for us.

"Rhydian is the 1/3 favourite for the title with Leon offered at 4/1 and Same Difference the 11/2 outsiders. The winner is all but certain to have the Christmas number one and is currently trading at 1/6."

[stereoman]

More Bettingzone Market News:

1510: William Hill have slashed the price on Same Difference winning the X Factor to 4/1 from 11/2 following a huge bet from a customer in Shrewsbury, who now has £4,500 riding on the brother & sister act and should they win he will collect £27,800.

As a result Same Difference are now the second favourites behind Rhydian who can be backed at 4/11 with Leon the 9/2 outsider.

"Same Difference are coming with a late run and we have one particular customer who is convinced, he could cost us dear," said Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.

=============

Oh dear Christ...I think you've done your dough in fella!

[Beanie]

Go on SD! Odds slashed across the board(altho the stupid fucker could have got a far better price if he'd shopped around with his 4k.)

They are just taking up Leon's slack tho - Rhyds is solid as favourite at sub 1.40, which still looks an ok price.

Leon can't sing, that's his problem, and he'll miss out on a lot of votes as there isn't much other appeal to the lad. Likeable, but that ain't enough. His solid fanbase will give him a shout for 2nd, but I think SD will take that one.

[ONEDUNME]

Originally Posted by Beanie

Go on SD! Odds slashed across the board(altho the stupid fucker could have got a far better price if he'd shopped around with his 4k.)

I think that line is enough to tell us that it's not likely to be some shrewd punter with inside information. More likely some tone deaf twat who gets a kick out of watching incest. Those two slimey bastards make me want to physically puke.

The jock can't sing.

It looks nailed on for Johnny Bravo for me (then again i said that about Lewis Hamilton)

[Beanie]

Agreed - Rhydian is solid as a rock ODM - I don't personally like him but he'll win because the X Factor final gets a big audience boost by virtue of being the final, and those extra viewers/voters won't be going on much else other that who is the best singer, which is Rhydian by a country mile. The SD/Leon fans can hammer away at redial all they like - don't think they will threaten(although I'll keep my green on SD just in case.) Odds on shots are rarely value in reality Tv betting IMO(altho they have been fairly strong in recent X Factor finals) but this is one I'll be on I think.