The fight for Christmas Number 1 - who's Sam Bailey up against?

The race is on for Christmas Number 1 - but who's going to come out on top? Credit: PA

Leicester's Sam Bailey looks certain to hit the festive top spot today - but her single Skyscraper hasn't sold as quickly as some of the other X Factor winners' chart debuts.

Although Sam was out in front in the midweek chart, there have been some strong contenders in the race for Christmas Number One. Betting has now closed on who will get to the top spot.

Here we take a look at some of the former prison officer's competition.

Sam Bailey - X Factor Winner's Song - Skyscraper

  • Midweek Odds - 1/20

After getting more than a million votes in this year's X Factor final - the prison officer from Leicester is now hoping the support turns into single sales. Her cover version of Demi Lovato's Skyscraper is her debut single, and is hotly tipped to go all the way.

Watch: How Sam Bailey wowed X Factor judges week by week - every performance


AC/DC - Highway to Hell

  • Midweek Odds - 14/1

In another attempt to oust Simon Cowell's perceived Christmas number one monopoly- the campaign which saw Rage Against the Machine clinch the top spot in 2009 is back in full swing.

Husband and wife Jon and Tracy Morter started a social media campaign in protest to Joe McElderry's cover of Miley Cyrus' 'The Climb', now they're supporting a drive to get AC/DC to Christmas Number One organised by a rock fan called Steevi Diamond.

With more than 140,000 people signing up on Facebook, and this being AC/DC's 40th anniversary year - the re-release of Highway to Hell is a strong contender.


The Big Reunion - I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday - Text Santa Charity Single

  • Midweek Odds - 80/1

For this year's Text Santa charity campaign , the stars of ITV 2 hit show 'The Big Reunion' have re-made the Christmas Classic by Midlands glam rockers Wizzard.

The record itself is celebrating 40 years in the charts. but can the combined might and fan base of 5ive, Atomic Kitten, Liberty X, Bewitched, The Honeyz and 911 be enough to get the charity single to the top spot?

Watch: The Big Reunion Christmas Arena Tour comes to the Midlands

Read: Text Santa 2013: The Appeal Countdown Continues


Jack Topping - Tomorrow

  • Midweek Odds - 100/1

What would Christmas be without an angelic choirboy and a timeless classic? Well, 11-year-old Jack Topping is hoping he can get the coveted Christmas Number One with his rendition of Tomorrow from the musical Annie, with money made going to Save the Children.

He could well have a good chance - as he's signed to the label which helped get the Military Wives to the top spot in 2011.

Read: Liverpool choirboy in race for Christmas Number One


Leona Lewis - One More Sleep

  • Midweek Odds - 14/1

The 2006 X Factor winner is also vying for her second Christmas number one, but this year's offering from Leona Lewis is decidedly more festive than her winner's single 'A Moment Like This' in 2006.

'One More Sleep' is a Motown inspired Christmas track from a festive album released earlier this month by X Factor's most successful winner.

However the single did come out a fortnight ago, so might be losing momentum to reach the top among the weeks new releases.

That said it did climb 31 places up the chart to number three this week, so can the catchy Christmas number fend off the competition and climb two more places?

Read: X Factor winners and losers: Where are they now?


Lily Allen - Somewhere Only We Know

  • Midweek odds - 16/1

Part of the John Lewis Christmas advertising campaign aimed at melting our hearts (and opening our wallets), Lily Allen's reworking of Keane's 'Somewhere Only We Know', is the one to knock off the top spot.

It's spending its third non-consecutive week at number one - but can it hold on in there one more time?


Susan Boyle and Elvis Presley - O Come. All Ye Faithful

  • Midweek odds - 25/1

Another attempt from the Simon Cowell band of talent show winners - Susan Boyle is launching an attack for the top spot helped by none other than Elvis Presley, thanks to some digital wizardry.

He's managed it before - but not since 1962 with 'Return to Sender'. If this reworking of the classic Christmas carol does the job, it will not only be Susan Boyle's first UK Number One single, but it'll be Elvis' 22nd UK chart topper.


Lucy Spraggan - Tea & Toast

  • Midweek Odds - 200/1

Last year's X Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan has already released this song in the charts after the audition stages in the 2012 competition, but it was hastily removed at the request of the show's producers.

But nearly 18 months on it's getting another outing, with a more Christmassy B-Side called 'It Doesn't Feel Like Christmas' thrown into the mix.


The Fishwives Choir - When the Boat Comes In / Eternal Father

  • Midweek Odds - 66/1

After the success of Gareth Malone and The Military Wives in 2011 - a 40-strong group with sea-faring husbands are aiming for the same prize.

The Fishwives Choir are releasing a double A side of 'When the Boat Comes in/ Eternal Father', to raise money for the Fishermen's Mission.