The Price is Wrong: Back Will.i.am over Leah on The Voice

Leah McFall’s show-stealing performances in the last two weeks of The Voice have resulted in her being cut to odds-on to win the show, but those fancying her for victory are better off taking advantage of an alternate bet.

Despite being given a fast-pass into the live semi-finals by coach Will.i.am during the knockout rounds on The Voice, Leah still performed a vocally impressive rendition of Minnie Ripperton’s ‘Lovin’ You’.

Then it was certainly a case of saving the best until last in the quarter-finals, as Leah was again on top form with an adapted version of the karaoke classic ‘I Will Survive’, which earned rave reviews.

It also earned her the clear favourite’s tag to win The Voice, as she is now 8/11 to follow Leanne Mitchell and become the second winner of the show.

However, it is also 8/11 that Will.i.am coaches the winner of the series and like all of the coaches, he still has two acts left in contention.

Therefore, for that price, punters are effectively getting two for the price of one by backing Will, as the bet covers a victory for either Leah or Cleo Higgins.

And punters only need to rewind back 12 months to last year’s semi finals to appreciate that surprises happen.

Ruth Brown was considered a shoo-in to be Sir Tom Jones’ last act on that occasion and was additionally the favourite to win the show. But the public voted Leanne through over Ruth.

The good news for those to back Sir Tom as the winning coach on the premise that Ruth would triumph in the show, still had a winning bet.

It is far less likely that Cleo will be voted through to the final at Leah’s expense, but nothing can be taken for granted when the public are in charge.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.