JOURNEY South have been tipped as the bookies' favourites to snatch victory in tonight's X Factor final.

The duo, from Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, will be part of one of the biggest TV showdowns of the year as ITV's X Factor goes head-to-head with the final of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

Mancunian Shayne Ward has been favourite since X Factor started. But he may be let down by a poor choice of songs by his mentor, Louis Walsh, according to bookmakers William Hill.

The 21-year-old will sing Over The Rainbow, originally sung by Judy Garland, Johnny Mathis' When A Child Is Born and the Daniel Bedingfield track If You're Not The One.

For Journey South, rival judge Simon Cowell has chosen Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon, the Elton John track Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, and Let It Be, by the Beatles.

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: "Louis has chosen a tired selection for Shayne whereas Journey South have three real classics.

"I would not be surprised to see Journey South become favourites before the show starts.

"At present, they are second favourite, but we are bracing ourselves for a deluge of bets as punters become aware their song choices are far superior to Shayne's."

CD presses will go into overdrive tonight to get the winner's single into the stores on Wednesday in an attempt to clinch the Christmas Number One.

The brothers' mother, Genda Pemberton, said: "It is so important that people vote - even if you have never voted before, just pick up the phone and vote and get behind these Middlesbrough lads."