The Traitors Finale: Bookies and Fans Clash Over Predicted Winner
With the highly anticipated finale of The Traitors set to air on BBC One this Friday evening, speculation is reaching fever pitch over who will claim the coveted cash prize. Betting companies have thrown their weight behind contestant Stephen as the clear favourite, but a vocal contingent of fans is adamant that fellow Traitor Rachel could stage a dramatic upset.
Bookmakers' Odds Point to Stephen as Frontrunner
Leading betting sites, including MyBettingSites, Sports Casting Bets, and OLGB, have all named Stephen as their top pick to win the fourth series of the hit reality show. MyBettingSites has given Stephen odds of 1/1, translating to a 50% implied probability of victory. He is closely followed by Faithfuls Jack at 2/1 (33%) and Faraaz at 5/2 (29%).
However, the landscape is not unanimous. Ladbrokes presents a contrasting view, favouring the Faithfuls overall with odds of 1/2 for their victory, compared to 6/4 for the Traitors. This divergence highlights the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of this season's tense psychological game.
A Nail-Biting Cliffhanger Sets the Stage
The penultimate episode on Thursday left viewers on the edge of their seats with a monumental cliffhanger. Either Rachel, a Traitor, or James, a Faithful, will be banished, determining who joins the final five. The remaining contestants are Stephen (Traitor), Faraaz (Faithful), Jack (Faithful), and Jade (Faithful).
A spokesperson for MyBettingSites analysed the precarious situation: 'Between Rachel and James, the one who gets the shield in the chest draw will stay. However, that survival likely only delays the inevitable; all signs point to the survivor carrying the highest odds of being banished at the final roundtable.' They added that Stephen's position as favourite could strengthen significantly if Rachel is eliminated.
Viewer Sentiment Heavily Backs Rachel for Victory
Despite the bookmakers' calculations, a surge of support for Rachel has erupted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Fans are passionately advocating for her to win, praising her strategic gameplay and loyalty to her fellow Traitor, Stephen.
Key fan reactions include:
- 'I want Rachel to win, she's been loyal to Stephen as she promised.'
- 'Think Rachel deserves to stay as she's played an amazing game.'
- 'Rachel deserves to win idc i hope she gets that shield.'
- 'If Rachel can get out of this then she deserves to win #TheTraitors.'
This groundswell of public opinion suggests that viewer desire could defy the statistical predictions, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the finale.
Strategic Analysis and Final Predictions
Expert commentary from bookmakers delves into the complex dynamics at play. MyBettingSites notes that while the Traitors are collectively favoured to win at 4/6, a dual Traitor victory is considered unlikely due to heightened suspicion. Should the Faithfuls gain control, Jack and Faraaz are highlighted as their strongest contenders.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes offered his perspective: 'Rachel has it all to do after last night's grilling, and while Stephen is still somehow slipping under the radar, the odds suggest it'll be the third win for the Faithfuls in four years.'
What Follows The Traitors in the BBC Schedule
As the series concludes, the BBC has confirmed the programming that will fill the prime-time slot vacated by The Traitors. From next week, viewers can expect:
- Wednesday: The Repair Shop moves to 8pm.
- Thursday: A new series of Dragons' Den begins at 8pm, followed by The Apprentice at 9pm.
- Friday: Amanda and Alan's Greek Job featuring Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr airs at 8pm, followed by Would I Lie To You? at 8:30pm.
Fans will not have to wait long for more treachery, as the BBC has confirmed the return of Celebrity Traitors in 2026. The standard series finale, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, airs tonight at 8.30pm on BBC One, promising a thrilling conclusion to a season full of deception and drama.
