Betting On Pop

A first glance at the nominations for this year’s Brit Awards indicates pop is tops, as Take That, Mika and Leona Lewis all have a chance in four categories.

They go head-to-head in two of them (best British album and best British single) while Arctic Monkeys, Mark Ronson, Kaiser Chiefs and Kate Nash are all nominated in three categories each.

Those who fancy a bet on a certain act winning a particular category are advised to check the odds the different bookies are offering, which suggest the big firms odds-makers don’t see eye-to-eye on contemporary music.

Anyone wanting a punt on Leona Lewis, who is long odds on with all firms for best British female, to win best British album with Spirit should note that Skybet is offering 2-1, Bet 365 has her at 10-3, Ladbrokes and Blue Square both go as high as 4-1, while Paddy Power is showing her at 5-1.

So far the bookies are offering odds only on the five main awards for U.K. acts and records: Leona Lewis is an average 1-2 to win best British female, while Mika is about the same odds to win best British male. Lewis is even money to win best single with "Bleeding Love."

Take That is odds-on to win best British group, but a more attractive wager at the price might be the 10-1 Paddy Power is offering against Kaiser Chiefs getting it. The same bet is only 4-1 with Skybet.

This year’s Brit Awards ceremony, hosted by Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, is at Earls Court February 20.