The Christmas number one single has become as much a part of the festive season as the television, food, gifts and family dramas. But the best part of the Christmas single is trying to guess who’s going to get the top spot, and taking a look at the odds makes it that little bit easier.

Sam Bailey X-FactorSam Bailey is favourite for the X-Factor crown, and by extension, the Christmas #1

Rockers AC/DC were the favourites to attain that coveted festive number one spot, but the recent announcement that all proceeds from the X-Factor Christmas single will be going to children’s charities – Together For Short Lives and Great Ormond Street – has put the ITV talent show in pole position.

Whoever wins the show is now in line for the biggest number one of the year, according to Easyodds.com. They’ve got any potential winner at 11/8 – the best price for this year’s would-be festive chart-topper. It’s a close run thing though, as the legendary rock outfit were a choice pick before the charity donation was revealed. The Australians are 11/4 second favourites now.

Elsewhere, family favourite Susan Boyle is in the running with her Elvis Presley ‘duet’. Singing an iconic Christmas song with one of the world’s most famous posthumous stars has seen her settle up at 6/1. Lily Allen, whose song features in the John Lewis Christmas ad is out there at 7/1.

Last year, The Justice Collective’s ‘He Aint Heavy, He’s my Brother’ reached number one and stayed there for just one week. In 2011, Military Wives with Gareth Malone grabbed the top spot with their song, Wherever You Are. If an X-Factor winner doesn’t grab the honour this year, then it will be three years since one has - Matt Cardle took it in 2010 with ‘When We Collide’.

The full odds are here, courtesy of Easyodds.com

x factor Winner - 11/8
AC/DC - 11/4
Susan Boyle and
Elvis Presley - 6/1
Lily Allen - 7/1
The Big Reunion - 14/1
Gary Barlow - 20/1
One Direction - 25/1