100/1 outsider to odds-on fav, Saara Aalto is the story of the series

It may have taken 11 weeks, but we’re finally looking at a new name at the head of the X Factor outright market. And now priced at just 8/15, Saara Aalto is undoubtedly the story of the series so far.

That’s because she was priced at 100/1 just two months ago, a figure which only a handful of people got behind. But two punters in particular will be hoping she can go all the way now, as they both stand to win a whopping £10K after placing £100 on her at that price.

Should she go all the way, Saara would be the first act ever to find herself in a Sing Off on three separate occasions and go on to win the show.

And at 8/15, she’s now some way ahead of long-time favourite Matt Terry in the race for the X Factor crown.

The 23-year-old found himself in the Bottom Two for the first time last weekend and has since seen his odds drift to 5/2 – the longest they’ve been since early October.

And that leaves 5 After Midnight way back in the market in comparison to the two frontrunners, with 11/2 saying they pull off an unlikely upset this weekend.

But what are the betting numbers saying?

Surprisingly, it’s Louis Walsh’s act that are now the most-backed contestants still standing in the show, with 44.9 per cent of all bets still open going on the trio.

Meanwhile, it’s Matt who leads the way in terms of amounts staked, with the Bromley-born Boy having more money staked on him than Saara and 5 After Midnight have combined.

So 5 After Midnight are the most popular with punters, Matt Terry has the most riding on him, and yet Sharon Osbourne’s act is still ahead of them in the market.

Does that mean she’s a shoo-in?

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