The odds of Rage Against The Machine scoring this year's Christmas number one have been slashed.

The Christmas number one is one of the most sacred places in British pop music. Traditionally the peak for singles sales, in the past hits for acts such as Slade, Wizzard and The Pogues have resulted in hefty pension plans.

However in recent years talent show The X Factor has enjoyed a stranglehold over the charts. For the past five years the show has produced the chart winner, with a huge amount of media hype benefiting the program's winner.

Now a fan led campaign could put Rage Against The Machine at number one. The rap metal giants could score a festive hit with 'Killing In The Name Of' following a hugely successful fan campaign.

A Facebook group for the campaign now has over 645,000 members and as a result bookmakers William Hill have drastically slashed the odds on Rage Against The Machine scoring a Christmas hit.

Previously 100-1 outsiders the rap metal titans have been installed as second favourites at just 3-1. "The X Factor has had a monopoly over the Christmas number one but there is a real buzz about Rage Against The Machine."

William Hill's Rupert Adams said. "We might just have the biggest upset in Christmas chart History!"

X Factor mogul Simon Cowell has lashed out at the campaign in a press conference, labelling it "stupid" and "cynical". First day sales could well worry the music industry boss, with Rage Against The Machine soaring into an early lead.

Check out the Facebook campaign HERE.