John and Edward are available at just 1/3 with Paddy Power to be given the honour of representing Ireland in Azerbaijan this year and it would appear that they have the gig in the bag once again. The Irish twins will be hoping for full marks from the UK but like most western European countries they know that they will struggle against the now consistent eastern block voting which has seen the Eurovision become little more than a charade. Countries like Ireland, the UK, France and Spain seem to have little chance of claiming the win in the modern era which is highlighted by the fact that we are all off to Azerbaijan for the 2012 contest.

At the moment Paddy Power make Ireland a 14/1 shot to win the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 which does look a little skinny as they go for their first win since 1996 and their eighth in total. The UK are of interest as well but their popularity in Europe gives them next to no chance of picking up the prize, despite that Paddy Power still give them an outside chance at 25/1 to claim the Song Contest for the first time since 1997.

To Represent Ireland Betting in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest

• 1/3 – Jedward
• 5/1 – Andrew Mann
• 6/1 – David Shannon & Una Gibney
• 10/1 – Donna McCaul
• 12/1 – Maria McCool

Outright Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Win Odds

• 14/1 – Ireland
• 25/1 – UK

All markets supplied by Paddy Power.com

The award for Best Male is always one of the big ones and Paddy Power make Sheeran the 1/4 favourite to lift the gong at this stage. It appears that Sheeran has at least one gong in the bag and will be looking to double up in the Best Breakthrough Act for which is also the hot favourite at 4/7 with Paddy Power with only Jessie J likely to offer him any real competition in according to the latest show of betting.

Sheeran is also nominated for the prestigious Best Album award at the Brits but that prize looks set to go to Adele who has had a monster year on both sides of the Atlantic. Her album, 21, has sold a mammoth amount in the UK and the London born singer can be backed at just 1/12 with Paddy Power to claim the award next month. There is no doubt that Adele has that one in the bag but it could be that ed Sheeran is the star of the 2012 Brit Awards, with four nominations to his name he looks a good thing for at least two awards to cap a stunning year for the young singer-songwriter.

Brit Award Best Male Odds with Paddy Power

• 1/4 – Ed Sheeran
• 7/2 – Noel Gallagher
• 4/1 – Professor Green
• 25/1 – James Morrison
• 25/1 – James Blake

Brit Award Best Album Odds

• 1/12 – Adele – 21
• 8/1 – Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto
• 8/1 – Florence and the Machine = Ceremonials
• 12/1 – Ed Sheeran – +
• 18/1 – PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

Brit Award Best Breakthough Act Odds

• 4/7 – Ed Sheeran
• 13/8 – Jessie J
• 10/1 – Emeli Sande
• 12/1 – Anna Calvi
• 25/1 – The Vaccines

All markets and prices supplied courtesy of Paddy Power.com

Gareth Malone’s Military Wives Choir are currently available at 1/3 with Paddy Power to claim the prestigious title with their song Wherever You Are. If pre-order figures are anything to go by then the single will be a massive hit after Amazon revealed that The Military Wives had smashed their record for the most pre-ordered track. The single will be released the week before Christmas on Sunday 19^th December. Girl band Little Mix, who are available at 5/2 with Paddy Power, recently became the first ever group to win the X Factor after they beat Marcus in the Final at Wembley Stadium. The talented four-piece have released a cover of the famous Damien Rice song Cannonball, which they hope will catapult them to the top of the charts.

Both the Military Wives Choir and Little Mix could face stiff competition from the Nirvana tune Smells Like Teen Spirit, which is being re-released following a massive Facebook campaign. The famous track, which is priced at 12/1 to reach No.1, celebrates the 20th anniversary of its release and those behind it are hoping that it can match the success of Rage Against The Machine’s Killing In The Name which was crowned Christmas No.1 back in 2009.

Military Wives – Wherever You Are

Elsewhere, Damien Rice’s original version of Cannonball can be backed at 25/1, while The Pogues Fairytale of New York is priced at 40/1. Also available at 40/1 is the Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber collaboration All I want For Christmas Is You, while the Cast of The Only Way Is Essex (50/1) have released their own charity single Last Christmas.

UK Christmas Number 1 Odds

• 1/3 – Military Wives Choir
• 5/2 – Little Mix Winner Single
• 12/1 – Nirvana
• 25/1 – Damien Rice
• 40/1 – The Smiths
• 40/1 – The Pogues
• 40/1 – Smith & Burrows
• 40/1 – Mariah Carey & Justin Bieber
• 50/1 – Cast of The Only Way Is Essex
• 50/1 – One Direction
• 50/1 – Frankie Cocozza
• 50/1 – Amy Winehouse
• 50/1 – Chas & Dave feat. Karl Pilkington

Odd courtesy of Paddy Power

At this stage we are still waiting to find out who will win the X-Factor with the likes of Marcus Collins and girl band Little Mix fighting it out to take the big prize, whoever takes the honours will then release their first single the next day with the Christmas Number One all but guaranteed according to the latest show of betting. As mentioned though there have been one or two grumblings from the public with Facebook campaigns popping up to back a record against the X-Factor over the past couple of years. This proved successful in 2009 when Rage Against The Machine reached the top spot with their song Killing In The Name but so far no real contender has emerged to the X-Factor winners in 2011.

Perhaps the closest challenger to the X-Factor winner this year could be the Military Ladies Choir who seem to be attracting plenty of attention with their song Wherever You Are. The group were put together by choir Master Gareth Malone who got a group of wives together while their husbands were serving in Afghanistan and they seem to be growing in popularity backed by the BBC. Punters wanting to back the Military Ladies Choir against the X-Factor winner may want to take the price of 11/8 with Paddy Power and at the moment they seem the only real competition for the reality show juggernaut.

Christmas Number One Betting 2011 with Paddy Power

• 8/11 – X-Factor Winner
• 11/8 – Military Ladies Choir
• 6/1 – Nirvana
• 9/1 – Justin Bieber
• 10/1 – The Wombles
• 11/1 – Amy Winehouse
• 14/1 – Wham
• 14/1 – Stacey Solomon
• 14/1 – The Smiths
• Bar

All markets supplied by Paddy Power

Marcus Collins has been a consistent performer through the series, he has managed to stay clear of controversy so far and his performance at the weekend has seen his popularity go through the roof with the viewers. Collins has been slashed in the betting and can now be backed at 9/4 with Ladbrokes to claim the ultimate prize, it is a big turnaround for the singer who had long been considered no more than a plucky outsider during the first few weeks of the series. He seems to be improving week by week which is always key in these competitions and with that in mind he could well be the one to beat as we approach the final stages.

Janet Devlin was the warm favourite for some time but after a poor performance on Saturday night she has drifted slightly in the betting, the girl from Norther Ireland is not out of the running though and can still be backed at 3/1 with Ladbrokes to claim the title. Devlin has proven herself as a top class singer and the same can be said of the exciting Misha B who is perhaps the best singer in the competition despite causing some controversy along the way. Misha seems to be destined for a big career in the pop world regardless of how she does in the remainder of the series but anyone wanting to back her to win can still get a nice price of 9/2 with ladbrokes.com.

Current X Factor Betting 2011 Win Odds with Ladbrokes

• 9/4 – Marcus Collins
• 3/1 – Janet Devlin
• 7/2 – Craig Colton
• 9/2 – Misha B
• 7/1 – Little Mix
• 40/1 – Kitty Brucknell
• 50/1 – Frankie Cocozza

All markets supplied by ladbrokes.com

Ladies man Frankie has faced stinging criticism for his singing ability as well as his for off stage antics but few can deny his entertainment factor. However, the Brighton boy faces a fight to stay in the competition after again being installed as the bookies favourite to be booted off, with odds of Evens with William Hill. Diva Kitty, who survived a sing-off two weeks ago, is next in running to leave with odds of 6/1. The singer has yet to fully connect with the audience and despite her obvious vocal talent she could find herself packing her bags next week. Likewise girl group Little Mix are unlikely to last too much longer and could well be in the bottom two this Sunday, with odds of 6/1 to leave next.

Misha B, a strong favourite before last week’s shock results, now has to bounce back from her set back and regain her swagger as she is definitely one of the best, if not the best singer in the competition. However, some viewers may interpret her confidence for arogance which could explain her position in the bottom two last week. The talented performer currently has odds of 10/1 to depart next, as has Johnny Robinson, who has so far proven a hit on the show. Marcus Collins and Craig Colton have both been handed odds of 14/1 to be eliminated on Sunday.

Janet Devlin remains the favourite in the betting with odds of 5/2 while boy-band The Risk can be backed at 3/1. Despite the furore surrounding her future on the show and also having two acts in the bottom two last week Kelly Rowland is still the bookies favourite to finish as the Winning Manager with odds of 6/4. Gary Barlow is next in the running at 2/1, with Tulisa just behind at 9/4 and Louis Walsh some way off at 9/1.

Next Elimination Odds

• Evens – Frankie Cocozza
• 9/2 – Kitty Brucknell
• 6/1 – Little Mix
• 10/1 – Johnny Robinson
• 10/1 – Misha Bryan
• 14/1 – Marcus Collins
• 14/1 – Craig Colton
• 16/1 – The Risk
• 33/1 – Janet Devlin

Outright Winner Odds

• 5/2 – Janet Devlin
• 3/1 – The Risk
• 9/2 – Craig Colton
• 6/1 – Misha Bryan
• 6/1 – Marcus Collins
• 9/1 – Little Mix
• 14/1 – Johnny Robinson
• 25/1 – Kitty Brucknell
• 66/1 – Frankie Cocozza

All odds supplied by William Hill

Cowell is said to be alarmed by the ratings drop for the UK show with phone votes also down massively from the same period last year and Paddy Power believe he could be ready to fly in to save the show in the next couple of weeks. It is thought that Cowell could make a guest appearance as a judge on the live shows in an effort to boost the ratings and he is as short as 1/3 with Paddy Power to do just that in the next few weeks. Cowell will no doubt think long and hard about returning to the show as it could be seen to undermine the current judging panel but he will be loathed to see ratings continue to suffer.

The X-Factor has started to slip behind BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing in the ratings war which has been unheard of in recent years and that may see the producers act with the current judging panel failing to prove a success. There is already talk about Louis Walsh getting the sack at the end of the series while Kelly Rowland and Tulisa have reportedly fallen out over the behaviour of one of the acts leaving the show in crisis. A massive mistake was made when they allowed Cheryl Cole to leave the show for the American version before she was promptly removed from that role, her popularity was massive and the X-Factor bosses will be ruing the day they let the Geordie star leave the panel.

X-Factor UK Betting Specials with Paddy Power

• 1/3 – Simon Cowell to appear live during the 2011 series
• 2/1 – Simon Cowell  NOT to appear live during the 2011 series
• 3/1 – Cheryl Cole to replace Kelly Rowland as a judge during the 2011 series

All markets supplied by Paddy Power.com

Nu Vibe’s hopes of winning a record contract came crashing down on Sunday when the judges opted to keep Frankie Cocozza after both acts had finished in the bottom two of the public vote. Frankie’s disappointing rendition of Coldplay’s The Scientist means that his odds have been lengthened to 33/1 and it now appears that he is out of the running to win the competition unless he can find a way of winning back his now dubious fan base.

Sophie Habibis is definitely one to watch out for as she gradually begins to make her mark in the competition. Most viewers were surprised when Kelly Rolland opted to keep her in ahead of Amelia Lily but it has proved to be a wise move with the London barmaid impressing at the weekend. William Hill have now shortened the 19-year-old’s odds to 10/1. Elsewhere Craig Colton could be in with a shout with odds of just 6/1, as could outsiders Johnny Robinson and Kitty Brucknell – both priced at 33/1 – who have managed to create a web of hysteria and intrigue.

The X Factor Outright Winner Odds

• 9/4 – The Risk
• 5/2 – Janet Devlin
• 9/2 – Misha Bryan
• 6/1 – Craig Colton
• 10/1 – Sophie Habibis
• 16/1 – Marcus Collins
• 25/1 – Rhythmix
• 33/1 – Kitty Brucknell
• 33/1 – Frankie Cocozza
• 40/1 – Johnny Robinson
• 40/1 – Sami Brookes

Odds supplied by William Hill

This year’s betting is currently dominated by the Female artists, which will please judge Kelly Rowland who has been picked to mentor the category. Kelly has flown the lucky ladies out to her crib in Miami as they battle it out for the chance to claim their spot in the live shows. Janet Devlin is the hot early favourite to win X Factor, with odds of 11/4 with William Hill. The Northern Irish songstress wowed the judges with her rendition of ‘Your Song’ by Elton John in the first round before breezing through boot camp and is almost certain to cruise through the judges’ houses. Next in the running is Amelia Lily with odds of 5/1, while Melanie McCabe is priced at 8/1. Jade Richards is definitely one to watch at 9/1.

Gary Barlow was ecstatic when he found out that he was mentoring the Male category but knows that he has a number of tough decisions to make when deciding who to put through to the live shows. James Michael is currently priced at 8/1 to win this year’s show, making him the highest ranked male in the betting. Marcas Collins follows at 9/1, while ladies man Frankie Cocozza looks a good bet at 12/1. Barlow is currently second favourite to finish as the Winning Manager, with odds of 2/1.

N Dubz star Tulisa Contostavlos was equally as excited when she discovered that she was mentoring the Groups in her first series as a judge. The recently assembled Nu Vibe are the highest ranked group in the betting with odds of 12/1, with The Risk available at 14/1. Tulisa is currently 5/1 in the Winning Manager market.

Louis Walsh, the only remaining judge from the previous series, has been given the Over 28s and will be as confident as ever of leading one of them to victory. However, with odds of 7/1 he is currently the outsider in the Winning Manager betting market and the odds on 5/6 favourite in the First Manager Out betting. His most realistic chance of winning is with the talented Sami Brookes, who is available with odds of 20/1 to win the show.

X Factor Winner Odds

• 11/4 – Janet Devlin
• 5/1 – Amelia Lily
• 8/1 – Melanie McCabe
• 8/1 – James Michael
• 9/1 – Jade Richards
• 9/1 – Marcus Collins
• 12/1 – Frankie Cocozza
• 12/1 – Nu Vibe
• 14/1 – Craig Colton
• 14/1 – Misha Bryan
• 14/1 – The Risk
• 20/1 – Sami Brookes

Winning Manager

• 10/11 – Kelly Rowland
• 2/1 – Gary Barlow
• 5/1 – Tulisa Contostavlos
• 7/1 – Louis Walsh

First Manager Out

• 5/6 – Louis Walsh
• 2/1 – Tulisa Contostavlos
• 5/1 – Gary Barlow
• 9/1 – Kelly Rowland

All odds supplied by William Hill

It is public knowledge that Beyonce is very close to her family and that seems to have influenced the market here with many punters taking the couple to name the baby after the former Destiny’s Chile singers dad Matthew Knowles, it would be no surprise to see them take this route and that name is the current 4/1 favourite with Paddy Power. Next up in the betting is Shawn or Shawna with many speculating that the baby will be named after the father, Jay-Z is better known by his friends and family as Shawn Carter and it would be no surprise to see the couple name their child after him.

Outside of the more standard names there are one or two less conventional names that punters may want to consider having a bet on, celebrities are well known for their interesting baby names and there are a number of nice ones on offer from Paddy Power. US President Barack Obama is well known fan of the couple and punters can back Beyonce and Jay-Z to call their first born Barack at a price of 80/1 with Paddy Power, while perhaps even less likely is Gaga which is available at 200/1 with the same bookmaker. Beyonce and Jay-Z are one of the most famous couples in the world but they do tend to shy away from the showbiz scene making a bizarre name perhaps less likely than usual, punters are well advised to take a closer look at the more more normal names on the list.

Jay-Z and Beyonce Name the Baby Betting Odds with Paddy Power

• 4/1 – Matthew
• 4/1 – Shawn/Shawna
• 5/1 – Corey
• 6/1 – Colleek
• 6/1 – Tina
• 10/1 – Gloria
• 12/1 – Jason/Jay
• 12/1 – James
• 14/1 – Jordan
• Bar

All markets supplied by Paddy Power.com