Despite startling rumours that they received the most amount of public votes last week, punters clearly believe that Irish twins John and Edward have peaked and have backed them into 3-1 second favourites to be eliminated from The X Factor this weekend.
Described as ‘horrendous’ and ‘tone deaf’ by the show’s maestro Simon Cowell, the opinion-splitting duo have in recent weeks experienced a remarkable turnaround in popular opinion. But with their odds to win the hit show out at a top priced 25-1 on Betfair (Ladbrokes go just 10s), there appears to be some way to go before they convince punters that they are genuine contenders to go all the way.
Rachel Adedeji is the favourite at a top priced at 9-4 with Betfair and Totesport to be eliminated on Sunday night but is being challenged at the head of the market by the terrible twins who are attracting cash across the board and as low as 2-1 with Bluesquare.
The 18-year-old has been in the bottom two twice already, and while her bubbly performance last week may have afforded her some respite her stay of execution will be short-lived.
Welsh teenager Lloyd is another act seemingly on the brink, with his odds for the next elimination standing at 7-2.
And while Lloyd is struggling, two of the show’s other male contestants are thriving, with both Joe and Olly continuing to carry the tag of favourites, with their odds to win currently 7-2 and 4-1 respectively.
Betfair Spokesman Ari Last said: "The renaissance of John and Edward is quite astounding. Simon Cowell has admitted that if they were to win ‘it would be a nightmare’, though fortunately for him our punters still believe this isn’t going to be the case. I’d like to say stranger things have happened, though in truth, not many have!"
The X Factor Fourth Round elimination - Betfair latest odds: 9-4 Rachel Adedeji, 3-1 John & Edward, 7-2 Lloyd Daniels, 11-1 Jamie Archer, 15-1 Danyl Johnson, 24-1 Lucie Jones, 35-1 Olly Murs, 29-1 Stacey Solomon, 84-1 Joe McElderry
The X Factor 2009 winner - Betfair latest odds 4-1 Olly Murs, 11-2 Danyl Johnson, 7-1 Stacey Solomon, 7-1 Lucie Jones, 10-1 Jamie Archer, 25-1 John & Edward, 29-1 Lloyd Daniels, 37-1 Rachel Adedeji
