X Factor (tes thread - see Other Sports for original)

[stereoman]

Hmmm. If you ask me the outright/to win market's out of whack and there's some surprise from Simon still lurking around the corner. Yesterday's Bettingzone Market Moves:

1200: Leonna has been cut to 4/9 favourite at Ladbrokes to win the X Factor following another faultless performance on last night's show.

Ben is out to 9/4 at Bet Direct while Eton Road, who were saved by Simon Cowell's deciding vote, are out to 12s at Ladbrokes.

The MacDonald Brothers have been cut to just 16s at bet365 although they're 33 elsewhere.

Ray is the 40/1 outsider.

[stereoman]

Ho-ho! Today's Bettingzone Market Updates:

1300: William Hill have seen a rush of big bets from Glasgow-based punters on the MacDonald Brothers to win the X Factor and have halved their price from 40/1 to 20/1.

"This could be one of the great betting coups as on ability alone the MacDonald Brothers have no chance of winning and the odds have reflected that," said Hills spokesman Rupert Adams.

"But what started as a trickle has now turned into a flood of bets on the Scottish duo and despite the fact that they are 20/1 they are our second worst result.

"You can see the public making them winners just to spite Simon as he has been very vocal in his criticism of the pair."

William Hill X Factor Winner: 1/2 Leona, 9/4 Ben, 8/1 Eton Road, 20/1 The MacDonald Brothers, 33/1 Ray.

[stereoman]

Odds from WIlliam Hill:

Ray 1/1
The MacDonald Brothers 6/4
Eton Road 7/2
Ben 33/1
Leona 50/1

Same as it was last week virtually. If the 'every judge has one act in the final' schtick continues then Ray is surely going to be eliminated ahead of Leona.

Two trains of thought with what's going on with Louis:

* NEGATIVE: Eton Road are going to get screwed and the MacDonald Brothers will be the last group just so they can get the Scottish voters to vote in the final.
* POSITIVE: Eton Road being up for elimination last week was merely a red herring by the producers to keep it exciting.

...it's not out of the realms of possibility that Leona may suffer a backlash and be in the bottom two or Eton Road could yet again be under the cosh but I don't think Simon's going to take any chances at this stage and if it's a combination of Eton Road/Ray/MacDonald Brothers and Ben/Leona in the bottom two, Sharon will kowtow to make sure that one of Eton Road, Ray or the MacDonald Brothers are gone instead.

X Factor voting not fixed eh? http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds39764.html

Rumoured songs for Saturday:

Ben - Your Song (Elton John) and Live and Let Die (Wings)
Eton Road - Somebody to Love (Jefferson Airplane) and Everybody Needs Somebody (Blues Brothers)
Leona - I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston via Dolly Parton) and Lady Marmalade (Labelle)
McDonald Brothers - 500 Miles (The Proclaimers)
Ray - Jailhouse Rock (Elvis Presley) and The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)

[trickrick]

Am I right in saying that the judges don't make the decision for the elimination from now on??

[stereoman]

It's been like that in the past two years but they've apparently made an exception for this year (next week, the judges won't be meddling).

...gamble on Eton Road to be eliminated in-running it appears over on Betfair and Stan James.

[stereoman]

Well there we go. Some lucky people landed a gamble as Ben and Eton Road were in the bottom two and it's the group that's gone.

==========

Eton Road have failed to make it through to The X Factor final four after a head-to-head showdown with Ben.

Once again both of Simon's acts - Leona and Ray - made it through on the strength of viewer votes, as did the MacDonald Brothers.

As expected, Louis and Sharon sided with their respective acts, although a tearful Sharon expressed regret at having to send home Eton Road.

The final decision thus rested with Simon, who claimed to face a dilemma over who to keep and who to kick out.

"There is a certain irony to this tonight after some of the things that were written in the press this week," he said. "As a mentor, do I protect my artist against who I believe could be the biggest threat, or do I keep in the person I believe to be the most talented?"

Simon had earlier criticised Eton Road's performance of 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight?', accusing Louis of neglecting the group in favour of the MacDonald Brothers.

Louis insisted that he would continue to back Eton Road despite their axe, telling them: "Boys I believe in you and I'm going to prove that in the next twelve months."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds39965.html

==========

...what a load of crap Louis comes out with!

I'm thinking despite record numbers of voting that it's probably mostly from Scotland for some reason and they've kept the MacDonald Brothers in purely for that.

Ray should be a goner next week.

[stereoman]

Today's Bettingzone Market Update:

1030: Leona is now just 2/7 (general) to win X Factor following Saturday night's show.

Ben is out to 4/1 but the MacDonald Brothers continue to be cut and are now just 5/1 at VC bet.

Ray is the outsider at 28/1 with bet365.

==========

Those who are backing the MacDonald Brothers are fairly optimistic. I suppose it isn't impossible if their voting base remains firm and true (and they're more likely to hold and even increase than either Ben or Leona's will).

[Beanie]

Hmmm...they don't always have just one act left each but it looks like it this time.

Songs tonight:

Leona: Could It Be Magic & Without You
MacDonalds: Can't Smile Without You & Shang-a-Lang
Ben: Made It Through The Rain & Somebody to Love (a cappella)
Ray: Mandy (swing style) & My Way

McDonalds are going for the Scottish vote again(and I've no idea where it comes from - all the radio shows up here hate them) altho Simon seems to have realised constantly slagging them isn't working and that could now count against them.

Ben looks to be struggling for votes but last week should scare his fans into voting tonight - and he remains the only genuine contender to Leonna.

Ray should get panned by the judges tonight for both another swing song and for doing my way - 1.70 or thereabouts looks fair but I don't really like to back odds on shots on the X Factor.

Leonna appears to have the outright wrapped up all bar the shouting - hopefully the McDonalds will somehow be the subject of some sort of gamble to drive her odds up a little more to something tempting - the truth is that she is the only marketable act left - and the only top class singer left.

[ONEDUNME]

First time I've really watched this and I have to say that, with the exception of Leona, these people are truly awful.

I can only imagine how dreadful the people were who didn't make it to the final.

I'm absolutely serious here when I say that if I was to lose in a Karaoke competition to any of these useless cunts (again, with the exception of Leona) then I'd be fighting in the car park.

Fuckin garbage.

[rockshark]

yeah she has a lovely voice however there are a thousand other people with the same style of voice , all dross

[ONEDUNME]

I agree Rockshark but then there are thousands of better singers than Robbie Williams but he somehow pulls it off.

I'm not saying that these people are even average though. If they were playing in my local, I'd fuck off to the next pub.

I know that Saturday night TV is notoriously wank but I still can't believe that people sit down and watch this on a regular basis. What's more, if any of you have actually picked up a phone and paid to vote then you're an absolute fuckin brain-dead moron.

No exceptions.

[stereoman]

Heck. I didn't bother with Saturday as I thought Ray being gone was a done thing. The MacDonald Brothers were around 2/1 to be gone more or less.

Today's Bettingzone Market Updates:

1345: We're down to the final three in The X Factor and Leona is as short as 1/6 with Stan James to win the ITV reality show.

Ben is a general 5/1 second favourite while Ray is the outsider even though his odds have been slashed to 11/2 by Blue Square after he survived the axe on Saturday.

Skybet offer straight forecast betting and offer Leona 1st, Ben 2nd at 10/11.

==========

Skybet were...this is the state of the market now:

[chcfc1978]

Very interesting that the price for Ray has gone in a bit.

Took 28/1 on Ray before Saturday,not through choice because i cannot stand the bloke but he does seem to be getting more popular each week.

Where do you find the info on what songs they are going to be singing?

Be very interested to know before Saturdays shows as i am looking to try and cover my bets somehow...hoping Leona prices may go out a bit more nearer Saturday

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Welcome mate to TDP and good to see you getting involved.

Don't know myself the answer to your question but im sure someone will be able to help you out.

[Beanie]

Originally Posted by chcfc1978

Very interesting that the price for Ray has gone in a bit.

Took 28/1 on Ray before Saturday,not through choice because i cannot stand the bloke but he does seem to be getting more popular each week.

Where do you find the info on what songs they are going to be singing?

Be very interested to know before Saturdays shows as i am looking to try and cover my bets somehow...hoping Leona prices may go out a bit more nearer Saturday

Welcome to TDP mate - re: finding out the songs I usually just keep an eye on the X Factor forum on Digital Spy:

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/f...splay.php?f=96

The songs are usually given on the Xtra Factor or some sort of press release - and they will be up on Digital Spy within a few hours after that. That forum also allows you to get a handy snapshot of public opinion.