Dannii: There can be only two - me or Simon

Dannii Minogue is adamant only she or Simon Cowell can win ‘The X Factor’.

The TV talent show judge – who is mentoring the Girls category this year, and has chosen Lucie Jones, Stacey Solomon and Rachel Adedeji as her three finalists – doesn’t think Cheryl Cole’s Boys or Louis Walsh’s Groups stand a chance of triumphing.

She wrote on Twitter: “Cowell Vs Minogue!”

Dannii – who became the first mentor to visit the acts at the home they share on Sunday - has also said: “This year Team Minogue are going to sing hard and have a ball. We are feeling really confident about 2009. Simon is already getting ready to win this year but I’ve put together the star team.”

Simon is working with the over-25s, and has picked Danyl Johnson, Olly Murs and Jamie Archer.

Betting shops agree Dannii and Simon’s categories are the strongest, with their top five slots filled with acts from either category.

Ladbrokes currently has Lucie as their 3 – 1 favourite.

Cheryl chose Rikki Loney, Joe McElderry and Lloyd Daniels, while Louis has Miss Frank, Kandy Rain and John and Edward.

A source told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “There's a lot of teasing going on among them but Dannii and Simon know they are in pole position to end up on top.

"Louis is gutted to get the Groups again and he knows he hasn't got a hope in hell of doing well this year.

"He's even had to resort to putting through dreadful twins John and Edward Grimes in an attempt to get some attention back from the others.”

Operatic singer Daniel Fox, who made in through to the final 24, has lashed out at Cheryl’s decision to send him home, claiming she doesn’t know enough about music to be a mentor.

He said: “She doesn't get what I'm about because she hasn't been in the business long enough. She hasn't had enough experience of working with people who are more in the classical field.”