Paul v Jay For X Factor After First Arena Auditions

The first week of arena auditions are over and it seems we may not have to look much further for this year’s X Factor winner.

Paul Akister and Jay James gave outstanding performances and blew everyone away, they are at loggerheads already, in the betting at least, as joint 4/1 favourites.

The one who caught our attention and we have yet to see is Fish monger Lola Saunders who is the third favourite at 6/1.

Only The Young have been the stand out band and set the bar high for the rest of the groups they are sure to impress at Wembley at 8/1.

Also on offer at 8/1 is Ben Haenow, who gave a soulful first audition and has everyone wanting more.

Many acts made it through but not all did enough to move up the betting as James Graham is 33/1, The Courtsesans are priced at 80/1 and Stevie Tennant, despite his energetic performance, is still a longshot at 100/1.

The audience fell in love with Andrea Faustini for all the right reasons and at 10/1 is one to watch.

Lauren Platt may not have got everyone up dancing but she melted hearts with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know” and was cut in from 14/1 to 9/1 to win.