Sanchez Favourite To Win American Idol

This season's American Idol has already seen the competition whittled down to the last 13 standing contestants, with the current betting favourite being Jessica Sanchez from California.

The ten contestants voted in by fans of American Idol gave a sterling performance this week, although three stood out in particular - Jessica Sanchez, Heejun Han and Phillip Phillips.

Another three contestants - Erika van Pelt, Deandre Brackensick and Jeremy Rosado - made the judges' wildcard selection to make their way back into the competition.

At present, Sanchez is the 4/1 favourite to win American Idol.  She is favoured to win because of her superb voice and incredible stage presence, and could become the first contestant of Filipino heritage to win American Idol.

American Idol judges, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler, have given her unprecedented praise and are all clearly rooting for her.

She has also received support from Jamshid Mousavinez of Newsday who said of her: "Jessica Sanchez, favoured by many to win it all, has the complete package - great voice, natural stage presence and that X-factor that forces you to keep watching whenever she's performing. Cannot wait to see what she does next week!"

Bet on American Idol Winners

But while Sanchez is a favourite to win American Idol, carrying odds of 4/1 that she will take top title, it is still early days yet and anything can happen in the next few weeks.

Phillip Phillips, also with odds of 4/1, could post a serious threat to Sanchez. His wildly creative personality has high likability and his good voice, together with equally good looks, has placed him as a firm favourite among American Idol punters.

Hollie Cavanaugh could also threaten top positions, and her super-sweet personality has the potential to get fans to vote for her.  As the weeks progress, and viewers get to see these powerhouses in action, the best singers will begin to stand out and betting markets will become even more interesting.

Current odds on American Idol outright winner at top sportsbook sites, William Hill as follows:

Jessica Sanchez - 4/1

Phillip Phillips - 4/1

Hollie Cavanaugh - 7/1

Colton Dixon - 7/1

Skylar Laine - 7/1

Elise Testone - 8/1

Joshua Ledet - 10/1

Shannon Magrane - 10/1

Heejun Han - 14/1

Erika van Pelt - 16/1

Deandre Brackensick - 25/1

Jermaine Jones - 25/1

Jeremy Rosado - 33/1