X Factor betting

As the Winter nights draw in Television viewers will be treated to a triple-header of potential betting options this weekend as the winner of the Sports Personality of the Year award is revealed, the X Factor final takes place and Strictly Come Dancing is in the semi-final stage. Here are some helpful bets to go along with your viewing this weekend.

The Sports Personality of the Year will barring a miracle go to Andy Murray following his fantastic success at Wimbledon and he is 1/14 (ladbrokes) to secure the award. The battle though is on to take the second and third slots. Mo Farah is the second favourite and heads the market in betting without Murray at 6/4 (boylesports) and despite a great year I am not convinced he will finish second. The Athlete only came fourth last year and that was a year in which the country was gripped by Olympic fever and he completed the same double. Chris Froome repeated the acheivements of Bradley Wiggins in winning the Tour de France last year yet and is 5/1 (GENERAL) in betting without Murray.

The selection though is AP McCoy who is a generous 7/4 (bet365/CORAL/betway) in betting without Murray. It will likely come down to these three names with the Jockey at bigger prices than Farah offfering more appeal. His story caught the attention of many people who are not even Horse Racing fans after completing a 4,000 career win, a total that keeps on building by the day. It was an event that captured the nation so expect AP McCoy to do what he has done so well in his sport and come up on the outside and pip his rivals to the post.

Another race that looks sewn up is the X Factor final where Sam Bailey is a short as 1/4 (GENERAL) to land the title. You could argue over whether that is actually something that would help her career, but that is probably a debate for another day.

The history of these finales is littered with examples of so called favourites who look a lock to win and do not go on to do so. Gareth Gates is one such an example, Susan Boyle is another, so you really should not be getting involved at these prices. It is probably worth for those who like to do such things a lay on Bailey as the in-running markets on these events tend to be volatile and reactive to the person performing at the time. Second favourite Nicholas McDonald (11/2-TOTESPORT/betfred) has something of the Leon Jackson about him (what do you mean who, he won the fourth series off this show) and has a duet with Shane Filan to come while poor Sam just has regular judge Nicole Scherzinger to duet with.

Strictly Come Dancing reaches the semi-final stage on Saturday with five dancers left in the competitions. Four of these are female with the sole remaining male Patrick Robinson the 4/6 (STAN JAMES) favourite to be eliminated next. I think value can be had in opposing this view. Firstly, Patrick is popular with the judges who still have a say at this stage. Secondly, the Waltz and Paso Doble are dancers which should play to his strengths.

The two couples most at risk for me then are Susanna and Kevin who have bottom scored with the judges in the last two weeks and Sophie and Brendan who also have the Paso Doble which is a very hard dance for females. At the prices you can cover both couples with Susanna and Kevin 5/1 (GENERAL) and Sophie and Brendan 8/1 (GENERAL).

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: AP McCoy to be win the Sports Personality of the Year in betting without Murray, 7/4 (bet365/CORAL/betway).
SILVER: Susanna Reid next eliminated in Strictly Come Dancing, 5/1 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: Sophie Ellis-Bextor next eliminated in Strictly Come Dancing, 8/1 (GENERAL)

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14/12/2013     © Frixo 2026