Well, here we are: runners and riders listed below. As per
P. Power Esq.'s online odds at the time of posting, The XX are (deserving) favourites, Villagers well-placed, with Biffy Clyro and the enigmatic Kit Downes Trio both outsiders.
Biffy Clyro “Only Revolutions” (14th Floor)
Corinne Bailey Rae “The Sea” (EMI)
Dizzee Rascal “Tongue N’ Cheek” (Dirtee Stank)
Kit Downes Trio “Golden’ (Basho)
Foals “Total Life Forever” (Transgressive)
I Am Kloot “Sky At Night (Shepherd Moon/EMI)
Laura Marling “I Speak Because I Can” (Virgin)
Mumford And Sons “Sigh No More” (Island)
Paul Weller “Wake Up The Nation” (Island)
Villagers “Becoming A Jackal” (Domino)
Wild Beasts “Two Dancers” (Domino)
The XX “XX” (XL)
I'd love The XX to win but realistically the winner is coming from the coffee-table: Corinne Bailey Rae.