Exactly who will make it to then ten band shortlist?
Despite many commentators suggesting that this year's Mercury Prize was Royal Blood's to lose, the bookies have installed Kate Tempest and FKA Twigs as the two acts most likely to claim this year's award for Best UK & Irish Album ahead of the imminent announcement of the shortlist.
FKA Twigs' 'LP1' has become one of the year's most critically acclaimed albums since its recent release. Royal Blood have been credited with breathing new life into the UK's rock and roll scene, while Kate Tempest, Jungle, Damon Albarn, Wild Beasts and Sam Smith are all said to be in contention.
The shortlist is due to be revealed at 5.30pm today in an event in London's Covent Garden with televised coverage of the announcement on Channel 4 the following night.
Last year's winner was James Blake for his record 'Overgrown'. Before that, alt-J won for their album 'An Awesome Wave'.
The odds for this year's prize, according to Ladbrokes, are:
Kate Tempest (3/1)
FKA Twigs (3/1)
Jungle (6/1)
Royal Blood (6/1)
East India Youth (10/1)
Damon Albarn (12/1)
Wild Beasts (12/1)
Sam Smith (16/1)
Chvrches (16/1)
Ed Sheeran (20/1)
Mica Levi (20/1)
Young Fathers (20/1)
Eagulls (25/1)
Temples (25/1)
George Ezra (25/1)
Bombay Bicycle Club (25/1)
Coves (25/1)
Paolo Nutini (25/1)
Kwabs (25/1)
Metronomy (25/1)
Lone (25/1)
