X-Factor / Jack Houghton / 12 December 2009 /

Amid the excitement and anticipation of Saturday night's X Factor Final, Jack Houghton is feeling a little bereft. What will we do with our weekends now? And who will triumph on Saturday? Our man selects his final bets of 2009.

Such sweet solace the tippy-tapping keyboard usually brings. The rhythmical chant of its song answering questions posed in eternity. Joy emerging, letter-by-letter, a fingerprint of my soul's intent. But not today. No, not today. There is no revelry in this moment, no comfort, nor delight. Each key is pressed in hope, but depressed thereafter; piercing hope as it defiantly springs back. And I fear the worst. Will this keyboard remain forever thus?

When our journey began in October, our bent-over, penitent, sackcloth-wearing bodies could only see one thing: the beatific release of X Factor Final Night, where the focus of our worship would finally be revealed. A deity, previously suckling at the nipple of the great overlord Cowbell, now unleashed on the world. And that moment is nearly upon us. All the miles we've covered, the suffering and pain we've endured: we're about to be given our moment of release. But in that climatic instant will also be great sadness. The journey over for another year. Our weekends now devoid of real light.

So this - the last X Factor instalment of 2009 - is not easy to write. It should be celebratory. After all, a profit is guaranteed on recommended bets no matter which finalist is deified. But, in moments like this, money-talk is crass, and it disregards the solemn magnitude of the occasion. Right now, far more important questions need to be considered.

Has this column now become too powerful? Commentators already talk of the X Factor Holy Trinity of Cowbell, Friedman and Houghton; holding the future of hopeful starlets in their omnipotent hands. And it's something I've felt. I say someone will go; they go. I say someone will win; they win. It's as if the column has a prophesising power all its own. Is the power now too great? Does it need halting?

Cowbell might already have answered that question. Next year there is talk of a rotating fifth judge; a mix of girls, boys and groups across all judges; and a compulsory circus-skills round, where contestants have to sing Auld Lang Syne whilst juggling naked dwarves. Is this a clamour for even greater viewing figures? Or an attempt to change the format and lessen this columns' power? Cowbell is not the great overlord for nothing.

As much as I feel it inappropriate at this time, I am contractually obliged to talk about betting, so will do so, reluctantly. If Stacey wins Sunday, we make three-and-a-bit points profit on recommended bets. If Olly wins, that rises to around nine points. If Joe wins, it ascends to a gargantuan 20 points. At which point I take out one of those adverts in the Racing Post advertising a premium rate phone line.

Joe is certainly most likely to win; but he is no certainty. Roberts and Gates have both gone into final shows as overwhelming favourites, only to be out-sung, and ultimately ousted, by less predictable winners.

A case can be made for Stacey - who will get the sisterhood vote - and for Olly - who probably has the most to offer in terms of a potential long-term career - and for those who have followed the recommendations to date, I make one final call: back Olly and Stacey for two points each at their current price of [6.0]. That more-or-less evens out the potential profit attached to all three finalists, allowing us to focus on our spiritual selves this weekend.

If you're approaching the final without a teeming portfolio to rely on, Olly looks the value at [6.0] to win it; and Stacey, at around [2.2] is most likely to take the Third Place market.

Until next year fellow pilgrims. And Mike, I'll wear the crown with honour.

This week's recommendations:
2 pts BACK Stacey at [6.0] in Winner market.
2 pts BACK Olly at [6.0] in Winner market.

Already Recommended:
1 pt BACK Dannii at [2.48] in Winning Judge market.
1 pt BACK Cheryl at [8.0] in Winning Judge market.
1 pt BACK Joseph at [12.0] in Winner market.
1 pt BACK Olly at [8.2] in Winner market.

Already Settled (+4.8 pts):
2 pts BACK Rachel at [2.7] in Bottom Two market - Week Two - WON.
3 pts BACK Rachel at [1.76] in Bottom Two market - Week Three - LOST.
2 pts BACK Lucie at [2.10] in Girls market - LOST.
1 pt BACK John and Edward at [2.0] in Bottom Two market - Week Six - LOST.
2 pts LAY Lloyd at [1.36] in Bottom Two market - Week Seven - WON.
1 pt LAY Lloyd at [1.87] in Elimination market - Week Seven - WON.
1 pt BACK Danyl at [4.0] in Elimination market - Week Eight - LOST.
1 pt BACK Lloyd at [25.0] in Winner market - LOST.
4 pts LAY Danyl at [2.02] in Top 3 market - WON.
1 pt BACK Olly at [3.4] in Over 25s market - WON.

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