X Factor: Final four pose plenty of questions ahead of the semis

And then there were four. The X Factor is hurtling towards the semi-final stage and we can rather smugly say we got the remaining quartet spot on.

Having tipped Stereo Kicks to be eliminated (OK, it was a little nip and tuck) we’re feeling pretty chuffed as it means the four acts left are arguably the best group of performers from this year’s competition.

Ben Haenow, Fleur East, Andrea Faustini and Lauren Platt will battle it out to be crowned the 2014 winner.

But which of this awesome foursome will prevail?

Rather than rank them we thought we’d sift through the markets to sort the bankers from the blowouts as we approach the deciding fortnight.

Bankers:

Thirteenth elimination – Lauren Platt @ 8/13

She survived a narrow Deadlock decider with Stereo Kicks but Lauren’s time could well be up.

The 17-year-old had lost her voice prior to performing in Jukebox Week and it nearly cost her dear as she struggled to produce her best.

But even with her vocals restored Lauren is likely to find making the final a pretty tough ask.

The Final Two – Fleur East and Ben Haenow @ 11/10

The stage looks set for Fleur and Ben to both be in there until the bitter end. And while the bookies are yo-yoing between which of the pair will triumph it’s starting to look as if they are at least in agreement that these two are the standout options.

Blowouts:

Top Over 25s – Ben @ 4/6

He’s the new favourite but at 4/6 to win the battle of the Overs with Fleur, Ben looks too short in our opinion.

The theme for semi-finals is still ‘TBA’ but as we’ve seen before, most notably with Ben’s performance of ‘I Will Always Love You’, if the song choice isn’t spot-on then the 29-year-old white van driver has struggled.

Meanwhile, Fleur has proven to be a tour de force no matter what she’s given and can’t be ruled out in this particular market.

X Factor Winner – Solo Male @ 8/13

The same logic applies here. The price on Solo Female is currently at 6/5 and to our mind, it could be a coin-toss that splits Fleur and Ben.

Has Ben been the slow-burning pop star that producers have been quietly grooming for success?

It’s certainly a possibility but piling in here could prove to be a big mistake.

Latest Winning Act betting:

Ben Haenow @ 5/4

Fleur East  @ 7/4

Andrea Faustini @ 4/1

Lauren Platt @ 10/1

Click here for a full list of X Factor markets.

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

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